Names That Start with C

798 names

C is one of the trickier letters in English names because it can sound like a K, an S or a ch. On this page the hard K sound dominates: Caleb, Cameron, Carter, Connor, Cooper and Colton all open with it, and even Chloe and Christopher use a K sound despite the ch spelling, a pattern inherited from Greek. Charles and Charlotte keep the soft French sh-like ch instead, so it helps to say a C name aloud before settling on spelling.

Several of these names share deep roots. Christopher means bearer of Christ in Greek, and Christian comes from the same source. Charlotte began as a feminine form of Charles, which has been a royal name in several European countries. Caleb is a figure from the Hebrew Bible, Camila is the Spanish form of an old Roman name, and Claire is the French word for clear or bright.

A practical, outdoorsy strand runs through the boys' names as well. Carter and Cooper are occupational surnames, for a cart driver and a barrel maker, while Cameron is a Scottish clan name and Connor is Irish. Chase is a plain English word name. If your surname also starts with a K sound, think about whether you like the repeated sound or would rather contrast it.

Most popular right now

KRIHS-tuh-fur
“bearing Christ” · Greek
#68
Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Carter Boy
KAHR-tur
“transporter of goods by cart” · English
#45
Chloe Girl
KLOH-ee
“young green shoot” · Greek
#23
Christian Boy
KRIHS-chuhn
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#96
Caleb Boy
KAY-luhb
“dog; often read as wholehearted” · Hebrew
#58
Cameron Boy
KA-mur-uhn
“crooked nose” · Scottish
#76
Charles Boy
CHAHRLZ
“free man” · Germanic
#48
Connor Boy
KAH-nur
“lover of hounds” · Irish
#166
Camila Girl
kuh-MEE-luh
“young ceremonial attendant” · Spanish
#19

Top 300 of 798 names

Sorted by current popularity. US rank uses 2025 data for the name's most common sex; the trend compares births with five years earlier. Tap a column heading to re-sort.

Name Sex Meaning Origin US rank 2025 5-yr trend
Christopher Boy bearing Christ Greek 68 ↓ -24%
Charlotte Girl free man French 2 → +2%
Carter Boy transporter of goods by cart English 45 ↓ -20%
Chloe Girl young green shoot Greek 23 → +1%
Christian Boy follower of Christ Latin 96 ↓ -29%
Caleb Boy dog; often read as wholehearted Hebrew 58 ↓ -7%
Cameron Boy crooked nose Scottish 76 ↓ -14%
Charles Boy free man Germanic 48 ↓ -6%
Connor Boy lover of hounds Irish 166 ↓ -50%
Camila Girl young ceremonial attendant Spanish 19 ↓ -19%
Cooper Boy barrel maker English 27 ↑ +63%
Colton Boy from an English place name English 103 ↓ -32%
Chase Boy hunter English 192 ↓ -36%
Carson Boy uncertain; Scottish surname Scottish 124 ↓ -31%
Claire Girl clear, bright French 68 ↓ -9%
Carlos Boy free man Spanish 150 → -2%
Cole Boy from an English surname English 182 ↓ -28%
Caroline Girl free man French 96 ↓ -21%
Charlie Unisex free man English 145 ↑ +31%
Camden Boy enclosed valley Old English 205 ↓ -26%
Caden Boy modern name; possibly from an Irish surname American (modern coinage) 201 ↑ +17%
Clara Girl bright, clear Latin 63 ↑ +34%
Cora Girl maiden Greek 113 ↓ -20%
Colin Boy young dog; or a form of Nicholas Scottish 343 ↓ -19%
Calvin Boy bald French 132 ↑ +7%
Cody Boy from an Irish surname Irish 318 ↓ -5%
Cayden Boy modern form of Caden American (modern coinage) 414 ↓ -40%
Cecilia Girl from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind' Latin 108 ↑ +35%
Catherine Girl often said to mean 'pure' Greek 314 ↓ -16%
Cristian Boy follower of Christ Spanish 362 ↓ -8%
Callie Girl beautiful Greek 175 → +2%
Collin Boy victory of the people (via Nicholas) English 493 → -4%
Conner Boy lover of hounds (variant of Connor) Irish 864 ↓ -59%
Cesar Boy uncertain (from Caesar) Spanish 385 → -2%
Clayton Boy clay settlement Old English 300 → -4%
Chance Boy good fortune English 442 ↓ -41%
Corbin Boy little raven French 512 ↓ -36%
Cash Boy money; also an English surname English 287 ↓ -9%
Camille Girl ceremonial attendant French 240 ↑ +11%
Catalina Girl Spanish form of Katherine; often linked to pure Spanish 111 ↑ +54%
Casey Unisex vigilant, watchful Irish 320 ↑ +94%
Cassidy Girl possibly curly-haired Irish 541 ↓ -27%
Camryn Girl crooked nose Scottish 477 ↓ -16%
Colt Boy young horse English 285 ↓ -30%
Cohen Boy priest Hebrew 225 ↑ +34%
Caiden Boy uncertain; modern variant of Kaden American (modern coinage) 602 ↓ -41%
Cruz Boy cross Spanish 331 ↓ -7%
Cheyenne Girl from the name of the Cheyenne people Native American 920 ↓ -44%
Cade Boy from an English surname; round, lumpy English 248 ↑ +69%
Christina Girl follower of Christ Latin 770 ↓ -27%
Chelsea Girl chalk landing place English 851 ↓ -29%
Cadence Girl rhythm, flow English 1,022 ↓ -41%
Cali Girl beautiful; also a Colombian city Greek 574 ↓ -52%
Carmen Girl garden Spanish 389 ↑ +13%
Celeste Girl heavenly Latin 188 ↑ +90%
Carly Girl free man English 1,009 ↓ -47%
Charlee Girl free man American (modern coinage) 417 ↓ -34%
Camilla Girl from a Roman family name, perhaps 'young attendant' Latin 361 ↓ -28%
Corey Boy from an Irish surname Irish 778 ↓ -39%
Colby Boy from an English place name English 615 → +4%
Carolina Girl feminine form of Charles, 'free man' Latin 405 ↑ +12%
Chandler Unisex candle maker English 753 ↓ -30%
Cyrus Boy uncertain; name of a Persian king Persian 268 ↑ +52%
Callum Boy dove Scottish 118 ↑ +209%
Cassandra Girl uncertain; name of a Trojan prophetess Greek 631 ↑ +5%
Crystal Girl crystal, ice Greek 1,145 ↓ -36%
Clark Boy clerk, scribe English 377 ↑ +6%
Courtney Girl from a French place name French 2,335 ↓ -50%
Cynthia Girl woman from Mount Kynthos Greek 1,014 ↓ -20%
Caitlyn Girl Irish form of Catherine Irish 2,492 ↓ -44%
Crew Boy group working together English 256 ↑ +14%
Conor Boy lover of hounds Irish 845 ↓ -61%
Cataleya Girl from the cattleya orchid American (modern coinage) 238 ↑ +63%
Collins Girl son of Colin English 241 ↑ +52%
Chris Boy short form of Christopher or Christian English 646 ↑ +13%
Caitlin Girl Irish form of Catherine Irish 2,333 ↓ -29%
Celine Girl possibly heavenly French 207 ↑ +118%
Callan Boy uncertain; from an Irish or Scottish surname Irish 190 ↑ +179%
Charley Girl free man; short for Charles English 760 ↓ -36%
Curtis Boy courteous French 985 ↓ -36%
Cecelia Girl from a Roman family name Latin 529 ↑ +11%
Colette Girl victory of the people French 316 ↑ +69%
Ciara Girl dark Irish 1,408 ↓ -18%
Charli Girl form of Charlie; free man English 496 ↓ -19%
Colten Boy from an English place name American (modern coinage) 966 ↓ -26%
Cairo Boy the victorious Arabic 341 ↑ +5%
Cason Boy modern name; possibly from a surname American (modern coinage) 846 ↓ -26%
Campbell Unisex crooked mouth Scottish 617 ↑ +143%
Cannon Boy from an English surname; clergyman English 722 ↓ -28%
Callen Boy uncertain; from a surname Irish 516 ↑ +10%
Colson Boy son of Cole English 311 ↑ +22%
Charleigh Girl modern form of Charlie; free man American (modern coinage) 811 ↓ -48%
Conrad Boy bold counsel German 417 ↑ +49%
Chaya Girl life Hebrew 588 ↑ +15%
Claudia Girl from the Roman family name Claudius Latin 1,096 ↓ -11%
Colter Boy colt herder; from an English surname English 157 ↑ +965%
Case Boy from an English surname English 733 ↓ -26%
Cullen Boy from an Irish surname Irish 1,108 ↓ -48%
Clarissa Girl bright, clear Latin 1,114 ↓ -26%
Carl Boy free man German 1,134 ↓ -35%
Cassius Boy uncertain (Roman family name) Latin 583 ↓ -16%
Cara Girl friend; dear Irish 1,326 ↓ -42%
Christine Girl follower of Christ French 1,274 ↓ -29%
Cory Boy — Irish 1,245 ↓ -35%
Caylee Girl blend of Kay and Lee American (modern coinage) 2,200 ↓ -61%
Clare Girl bright, clear Latin 924 ↓ -14%
Clay Boy clay English 573 ↑ +24%
Celia Girl possibly heavenly Latin 774 → +2%
Carmelo Boy from Mount Carmel; garden Italian 712 ↑ +9%
Cindy Girl from Mount Cynthus (via Cynthia) English 1,929 ↓ -28%
Chana Girl grace, favor Hebrew 686 ↑ +19%
Clementine Girl merciful, gentle French 456 ↑ +40%
Carla Girl free man (via Charles) German 1,083 ↓ -9%
Coraline Girl coral; or variant of Caroline French 683 ↓ -8%
Chaim Boy life Hebrew 666 ↑ +6%
Chanel Girl from the French surname Chanel French 1,311 ↓ -56%
Carolyn Girl free man (via Charles) English 1,222 ↓ -32%
Chad Boy uncertain; possibly 'battle' Old English 1,701 ↓ -36%
Camron Boy crooked nose (variant of Cameron) Scottish 2,059 ↓ -37%
Corinne Girl maiden French 999 → -5%
Callahan Boy descendant of Ceallachán Irish 227 ↑ +444%
Channing Unisex from an English surname of uncertain origin English 1,772 ↓ -30%
Cayson Boy modern coinage with -son ending American (modern coinage) 835 ↓ -16%
Casen Boy modern variant of Casey American (modern coinage) 842 ↓ -12%
Camdyn Unisex from an English place name; valley American (modern coinage) 1,889 ↓ -49%
Camilo Boy uncertain; form of Camillus Spanish 585 ↑ +95%
Calliope Girl beautiful voice Greek 451 ↑ +66%
Cherish Girl to hold dear English 1,374 ↓ -28%
Carlee Girl free man; variant of Carly American (modern coinage) 1,911 ↓ -40%
Crosby Boy village with a cross English 1,235 ↓ -44%
Cristina Girl follower of Christ Spanish 1,622 ↓ -25%
Cedric Boy uncertain; popularized by Walter Scott English 1,051 ↓ -6%
Cristopher Boy bearing Christ Spanish 1,426 ↓ -14%
Carsyn Unisex variant of Carson; origin uncertain American (modern coinage) 1,380 → -5%
Clyde Boy from the River Clyde Scottish 743 → +1%
Capri Girl from the Italian island of Capri Italian 547 ↑ +32%
Carlie Girl pet form of Caroline or Carl, 'free man' English 2,657 ↓ -55%
Craig Boy rock, crag Scottish 1,644 ↓ -32%
Cain Boy acquired Hebrew 1,142 ↓ -27%
Carley Girl variant of Carly, 'free man' English 2,725 ↓ -42%
Cheyanne Girl from the name of the Cheyenne people Native American 3,350 ↓ -41%
Coleman Boy charcoal burner; or 'little dove' English 1,311 ↓ -27%
Charity Girl love, generosity English 1,981 ↓ -33%
Carina Girl dear one; also 'keel' Latin 1,572 ↓ -18%
Camren Boy crooked nose Scottish 2,723 ↓ -54%
Clover Girl clover plant English 517 ↑ +149%
Cleo Girl glory of the father Greek 577 ↑ +70%
Cassie Girl short form of Cassandra Greek 1,280 → -4%
Canaan Boy uncertain; possibly lowland Hebrew 1,044 ↓ -8%
Cordelia Girl uncertain; possibly heart Latin 981 → +2%
Creed Boy belief, creed English 663 ↑ +40%
Charlize Girl feminine form of Charles; free man Germanic 2,658 ↓ -50%
Celina Girl uncertain; possibly heavenly Latin 829 ↑ +63%
Cambria Girl Latin name for Wales Latin 1,993 ↓ -46%
Coen Boy bold counsel Dutch 1,376 ↓ -42%
Caspian Boy from the Caspian Sea English 491 ↑ +94%
Cillian Boy uncertain; possibly church or strife Irish 507 ↑ +161%
Carissa Girl grace Greek 3,349 ↓ -49%
Castiel Boy angel from the series Supernatural American (modern coinage) 1,009 ↓ -12%
Cal Boy short for Calvin, Callum or Caleb English 543 ↑ +136%
Carsen Boy modern spelling of Carson American (modern coinage) 2,185 ↓ -56%
Carleigh Girl free man; variant of Carly American (modern coinage) 2,588 ↓ -40%
Cristiano Boy Christian Italian 1,288 ↓ -18%
Carlo Boy free man Italian 869 ↑ +104%
Chace Boy hunter; variant of Chase American (modern coinage) 2,772 ↓ -48%
Colbie Girl form of Colby; Koli's farm English 881 ↑ +47%
Cielo Girl sky, heaven Spanish 795 ↑ +144%
Clinton Boy from an English place name English 1,732 ↓ -27%
Chevy Unisex from Chevy Chase or the Chevrolet brand English 1,547 ↓ -10%
Cailyn Girl modern variant of Caitlin or Kaylin American (modern coinage) 3,728 ↓ -43%
Caydence Girl form of Cadence; rhythm American (modern coinage) 5,276 ↓ -68%
Clarence Boy of Clare; ducal title English 1,500 ↓ -13%
Calista Girl most beautiful Greek 1,597 ↑ +32%
Cortez Boy courteous; from a Spanish surname Spanish 1,655 ↓ -18%
Christiana Girl follower of Christ Latin 2,907 ↓ -48%
Chiara Girl bright, clear Italian 1,066 ↑ +37%
Cale Boy short for Caleb; also a surname English 2,722 ↑ +15%
Cristal Girl crystal Spanish 3,922 ↓ -29%
Cedar Unisex cedar tree English 1,244 → +1%
Carmine Boy from Carmel; also crimson Italian 1,035 ↑ +62%
Coral Girl the coral of the sea English 1,931 ↓ -22%
Carmella Girl form of Carmela, from Mount Carmel Italian 1,285 ↑ +10%
Coby Boy short for Jacob; supplanter English 1,874 ↓ -38%
Cierra Girl mountain range; variant of Sierra American (modern coinage) 2,727 ↑ +12%
Chasity Girl form of Chastity; purity English 4,579 ↓ -52%
Caleigh Girl modern form of Kayleigh American (modern coinage) 3,474 ↓ -50%
Cormac Boy uncertain; possibly 'charioteer' Irish 1,298 → -2%
Calum Boy dove Scottish 799 ↑ +30%
Clifford Boy ford by a cliff English 1,352 → +4%
Carrie Girl pet form of Caroline; free man English 2,726 ↓ -24%
Cassian Boy from the Roman family name Cassius Latin 479 ↑ +223%
Constance Girl steadfastness Latin 1,501 ↑ +5%
Cristobal Boy bearer of Christ Spanish 1,610 ↓ -7%
Cecily Girl from Caecilius; traditionally 'blind' English 1,541 → +5%
Cashton Boy modern blend of Cash and -ton American (modern coinage) 1,112 → -1%
Carol Girl form of Caroline; also a song English 2,242 ↓ -18%
Cian Boy ancient, enduring Irish 1,310 ↑ +25%
Cael Boy — Irish 1,945 ↑ +55%
Chosen Boy chosen English 555 ↑ +366%
Citlali Girl star Nahuatl 1,381 ↑ +83%
Chevelle Girl from the name of a car model American (modern coinage) 1,912 ↓ -36%
Corbyn Boy little raven (variant of Corbin) English 2,263 ↓ -47%
Carli Girl free man (via Carl) English 3,408 ↓ -64%
Cristofer Boy bearer of Christ Spanish 1,935 ↓ -11%
Canyon Boy canyon, a deep valley English 1,604 ↓ -9%
Coy Boy shy, quiet English 1,451 → -3%
Cayla Girl modern form of Kayla American (modern coinage) 4,578 ↓ -43%
Charlene Girl free man (via Charles) English 1,948 ↓ -17%
Chelsey Girl from Chelsea; chalk landing place English 6,370 ↓ -60%
Cornelius Boy uncertain; possibly 'horn' Latin 1,908 ↓ -26%
Colleen Girl girl Irish 2,829 ↓ -8%
Crue Boy uncertain; modern word-style name American (modern coinage) 797 ↑ +90%
Calla Girl calla lily; beauty Greek 1,397 ↑ +16%
Carmela Girl garden, orchard; from Mount Carmel Italian 1,219 ↑ +35%
Coleson Boy son of Cole or Nicholas English 844 ↑ +56%
Cartier Boy from a French surname; origin uncertain French 1,297 ↓ -20%
Corban Boy offering to God Hebrew 3,327 ↓ -43%
Cordell Boy cord maker English 1,977 ↓ -14%
Casper Boy treasurer Dutch 924 ↑ +67%
Camari Unisex uncertain; modern name American (modern coinage) 1,840 ↑ +18%
Caysen Boy modern blend of Cay and -sen American (modern coinage) 1,339 → 0%
Carver Boy woodcarver English 1,499 → -2%
Chaz Boy short for Charles, free man English 4,568 ↓ -71%
Cori Girl pet form of Corinne or Cora; maiden English 1,932 ↓ -6%
Claira Girl variant of Clara; bright, clear American (modern coinage) 1,820 ↓ -5%
Cienna Girl variant of Sienna; from the Italian city American (modern coinage) 1,598 ↑ +25%
Charleston Unisex Charles's town; the Southern city English 3,261 ↓ -25%
Candice Girl variant of Candace Latin 5,125 ↓ -53%
Candace Girl title of the queens of Kush Latin 3,173 ↓ -28%
Caius Boy form of Gaius, perhaps 'rejoice' Latin 927 ↑ +63%
Clifton Boy settlement by a cliff English 1,907 ↓ -27%
Charly Unisex pet form of Charles or Charlotte; free man English 3,262 ↓ -44%
Cecil Boy blind Latin 1,486 ↑ +23%
Clint Boy short form of Clinton English 2,364 ↓ -56%
Clarke Unisex clerk, scribe English 1,519 → -1%
Chayse Unisex variant of Chase; hunter American (modern coinage) 3,861 ↓ -24%
Canon Boy rule, standard English 2,211 ↓ -44%
Chava Girl life Hebrew 1,737 ↑ +6%
Cattleya Girl the cattleya orchid Latin 1,212 ↑ +50%
Cloe Girl variant of Chloe; green shoot Spanish 2,758 ↑ +26%
Cambree Girl variant of Cambria, Wales American (modern coinage) 2,757 ↓ -17%
Cameryn Unisex crooked nose Scottish 3,917 ↓ -32%
Cambrie Girl variant of Cambria, Latin name for Wales American (modern coinage) 1,964 ↑ +24%
Calleigh Girl variant of Callie American (modern coinage) 6,368 ↓ -50%
Constantine Boy steadfast, constant Latin 1,573 ↑ +24%
Cypress Unisex cypress tree English 1,554 ↑ +62%
Cosette Girl little thing French 1,780 ↑ +9%
Caelyn Girl modern variant of Kaylin American (modern coinage) 5,272 ↓ -49%
Chyna Girl variant of China, the country American (modern coinage) 4,902 ↓ -34%
Chayce Boy hunter English 2,805 ↓ -24%
Cianna Girl modern name of uncertain origin American (modern coinage) 2,697 ↓ -14%
Cam Boy short form of Cameron, crooked nose Scottish 1,395 ↑ +44%
Carrington Unisex from an English place name English 6,592 ↓ -50%
Christy Girl pet form of Christine, 'follower of Christ' English 4,191 ↓ -29%
Carys Girl love Welsh 4,375 ↓ -6%
Chozen Boy respelling of the word chosen American (modern coinage) 523 ↑ +1486%
Caliyah Girl modern blend, related to Aaliyah American (modern coinage) 1,992 → +2%
Calli Girl beautiful; pet form of Callie Greek 5,124 ↓ -47%
Chester Boy fortified camp; from an English place English 1,588 ↑ +8%
Carlton Boy settlement of free men Old English 2,893 ↓ -30%
Conley Unisex from an Irish surname Irish 2,521 ↑ +6%
Charis Girl grace Greek 3,137 ↓ -26%
Cai Unisex Welsh form of Kay Welsh 2,113 → +4%
Cove Unisex small sheltered bay English 1,192 ↑ +138%
Colsen Boy variant of Colson: son of Cole American (modern coinage) 566 ↑ +579%
Calder Boy rocky water; Scottish place name Scottish 1,731 ↑ +9%
Chesney Girl oak grove English 2,785 → -2%
Cayleigh Girl variant of Kayleigh American (modern coinage) 4,900 ↓ -64%
Cree Unisex from the name of the Cree people Native American 3,096 ↓ -52%
Caelan Boy variant of Caolán, slender Irish 2,892 ↓ -8%
Caitlynn Girl form of Catherine Irish 8,971 ↓ -63%
Cailey Girl modern spelling of Kayleigh American (modern coinage) 6,895 ↓ -60%
Cayde Boy variant of Cade American (modern coinage) 1,409 ↓ -19%
Cy Boy short form of Cyrus or Cyril English 2,540 ↓ -20%
Citlaly Girl star Nahuatl 3,589 ↑ +56%
Carmello Boy variant of Carmelo, from Mount Carmel Italian 2,845 → -2%
Corina Girl maiden Greek 3,921 ↓ -20%
Cru Boy French wine term, growth French 1,611 ↓ -13%
Caeden Boy variant of Caden American (modern coinage) 3,675 ↓ -27%
Catarina Girl Portuguese and Italian form of Catherine Portuguese 1,897 ↑ +18%
Ciaran Boy little dark one Irish 1,609 ↑ +52%
Carsten Boy Low German form of Christian German 4,272 ↓ -55%
Coco Girl pet form of Colette or Nicole French 2,334 ↓ -26%
Christa Girl short form of Christina, follower of Christ German 6,598 ↓ -35%
Connie Girl pet form of Constance, steadfastness English 3,075 → -2%
Camellia Girl the camellia flower Latin 1,676 → +1%
Ciana Girl modern name, meaning uncertain Italian 3,477 ↓ -21%
Crimson Unisex deep red English 4,793 ↓ -15%
Calen Boy uncertain, possibly variant of Caelan American (modern coinage) 3,323 ↓ -20%
Candy Girl pet form of Candace English 4,576 ↓ -17%
Charisma Girl grace, favor Greek 5,126 ↓ -47%
Chanelle Girl variant of Chanel French 5,960 ↓ -50%
Coltin Boy variant of Colton American (modern coinage) 6,193 ↓ -60%
Collette Girl French diminutive of Nicolette: victory of the people French 2,243 ↑ +34%
Coltyn Boy variant of Colton American (modern coinage) 3,862 ↓ -36%
Copeland Unisex surname meaning purchased land English 1,359 ↑ +97%
Chloee Girl variant of Chloe, green shoot American (modern coinage) 5,756 ↓ -54%
Caine Boy variant of Cain, possibly acquired Hebrew 2,487 ↓ -28%
Chauncey Boy from a Norman surname French 4,422 ↓ -38%
Cailin Girl girl, or variant of Caitlin Irish 12,153 ↓ -83%

This page shows the most popular names. For every name with a full profile, see the A to Z directory.