4516 Charming Baby Names That Start With C

Celebrating charm and character with cherished names.

Written by Nisha Bharatan, B.Tech Specialty: Kids Fun and Developmental ActivitiesExperience: 6 years

Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.

Read full bio of Nisha Bharatan

Edited by Shinta Liz Sunny, M.Tech Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 4 years

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

Read full bio of Shinta Liz Sunny

Fact-checked by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

Read full bio of Shikha Thakur

Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Baby names that start with C may be considered by parents looking for not-so-usual choices. The letter C is considered unique as it can produce two different sounds. One sound is hard as in ‘cat,’ while the other is soft as in ‘city.’ Oftentimes, C is combined with H to produce the ‘ch’ sound as in ‘chalk.’ On the other hand, ‘ch’ is also associated with the kh sound as in ‘character.’ With so many phonetic variations, it is no wonder parents from all over the world consider baby names that start with C. The letter offers a variety of tonal qualities to suit different preferences. Names with soft sounds such as Celia, Caesar, and Cecil show a gentle melodic quality while those with hard sounds Caleb, Christopher, and Cailyn project a sense of strength and robustness. This versatility makes names that start with C adaptable to several naming styles, from traditional to contemporary.

One of the most important associations of the letter C is with Christianity. As Christ's name itself starts with C, several names with this imperial letter are associated with him. Chris, Christopher, Christina, Christian, and Christabel are considered holy. The letter C is associated with royalty, too. Charles is one of the most famous royal names in European history. Its feminine counterpart Charlotte, too, manages to have its time in the limelight. Caroline, Clarence, and Catherine are other names amongst royalty. Celebrity names are not anywhere behind with some notable bearers including Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, and Cameron Diaz. Additionally, several names such as Charles, Chris, Caleb, Cailyn, Christine, and Charlotte have been repeatedly featured among the top 1000 names in the US (1).

Different cultures also contribute to names that start with C. For instance, you may find Carlos in Spanish, Camille in French, and Carlotta in Italian. Indian languages have names with C like Chanda. African languages such as Igbo include names like Chiamaka, while you can find Japanese names Chou and Chihiro as well. Baby names that start with C offer a variety of choices that appeal to parents all over the world. Whether due to its phonetic versatility, historical associations, or religious connotations, the letter C continues to rule hearts.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Charlotte	Girl	Free person; Petite
Camila	Girl	Religious attendant; Priest's helper
Charles	Boy	Free man
Caleb	Boy	Dog; Brave; Devoted to God; Whole-hearted
Christopher	Boy	Bearer of Christ; One who carries Christ
Cameron	Boy	One with the crooked nose
Claire	Girl	Clear; Bright; Famous
Christian	Boy	A Christian; Follower of Jesus Christ
Colton	Boy	From a coal town
Caroline	Girl	Man; Independent woman

Connor	Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Carson	Boy	Son of marsh dwellers; Descendant of Carra
Chase	Boy	To hunt; Capture; Huntsmen; Chase
Cecilia	Girl	Blind
Cole	Boy	Charcoal; Victory of the people
Calvin	Boy	Bald
Carlos	Boy	Free man; Army
Catalina	Girl	Purity; Each of the two
Camden	Boy	Enclosed valley
Colt	Boy	Young male horse; Horsekeeper

Caden	Boy	Son or descendant of Cadán; Strength; Battle spirit; Warrior
Cash	Boy	Money; Money box
Cody	Boy	The son of Oda; Descendant of the helpful one
Colin	Boy	Victory of the people; Whelp; Young dog
Charlee	Girl	Free person
Callum	Boy	Dove
Clayton	Boy	Clay settlement
Camille	Girl	Young ceremonial attendant; Priest's helper
Cassidy	Girl	Curly hair; Curly head
Cayden	Boy	War; Fighter; Son of Cadáin

Cataleya	Girl	Orchid
Caiden	Boy	Strength; Battle spirit; Gentle
Camilla	Girl	Religious attendant; Priest's helper
Cohen	Boy	One who performs sacred rituals; Priest
Colson	Boy	Victory of the people; Swarthy; Son of Col
Catherine	Girl	Pure
Chance	Boy	The one who has good fortune; Lucky
Cristian	Boy	Christian; Followers of Christ
Cade	Boy	Battle; Spirit of the battle; Sturdy; Round
Cyrus	Boy	Sun; Lord; Young; Hero

Charli	Girl	One with a free spirit
Corbin	Boy	Raven; Person with dark hair
Callan	Boy	Battle; Rock; Battle rule; War-like
Cesar	Boy	Long-haired; Head of hair; Emperor
Celine	Girl	Heavenly
Clark	Boy	Clerk; Priest; Scribe
Corey	Boy	Cauldron; Curly-haired; Maiden
Collin	Boy	Victory of the people; Cub; Whelp
Cadence	Girl	Rhythm; Flow; Falling
Carmen	Girl	Garden; God's vineyard; Plantation; Mountain

Colette	Girl	Victory of the people
Conor	Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Cassius	Boy	Empty; Vain; Hollow
Charleigh	Girl	Little strong and free woman
Cannon	Boy	A church official; Reed
Carolina	Girl	Freeholder; Free woman
Conner	Boy	Desiring wolf; Inspector
Colby	Boy	From a coal town; From a dark town
Conrad	Boy	Brave counsel
Clementine	Girl	Merciful; Gentle; Orange

Casey	Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Cecelia	Girl	Blind; Lily of heaven
Crystal	Unisex	Crystal; Ice
Chris	Boy	Follower of Christ; Bearer of Christ
Cassandra	Girl	Name of a prophetess; To excel; To shine
Calliope	Girl	Beautiful voice
Camilo	Boy	Religious attendant; Priest's helper; Noble
Clay	Boy	Clay worker; Made of clay; Clay settlement
Capri	Girl	Wild boar; Goat; Whimsical; An island in Italy
Crosby	Boy	Residing by the sign of the cross; Shrine of the cross

Colter	Boy	The owner and caretaker of horses
Christina	Girl	Anointed; Follower of Jesus Christ
Case	Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Cayson	Boy	Enclosure; Settlement
Chelsea	Girl	Chalk landing place
Chaya	Girl	Life; Alive
Callahan	Boy	Bright-headed; Strife; Church
Cheyenne	Girl	Red speakers; Seizing by the heel; Supplanting
Carly	Girl	Free man; Army
Creed	Boy	I believe; To believe

Carmelo	Boy	Garden; God's vineyard; Plantation; Mountain
Cason	Boy	Son of the marsh dwellers
Chaim	Boy	Life
Caspian	Boy	White; Caspian sea
Coraline	Girl	Coral; Precious gemstone made by polishing coral
Casen	Boy	Son of the vigilant one; Observant
Clyde	Boy	Warm; Friendly; From the River Clyde
Cullen	Boy	Colony; Whelp; Pup; Young hound; Holly; Handsome
Cillian	Boy	Church; Monastery; Little warrior
Cory	Boy	In a cauldron; In a hollow; Maiden

Curtis	Boy	Courteous; Polite; Well-bred
Celia	Girl	The one from the heaven
Chana	Girl	A favor from almighty God
Cynthia	Girl	Moon; Woman from Cynthus
Castiel	Boy	God's shield
Chanel	Girl	Dweller by the canal; Bottle-maker
Clare	Girl	Bright; Clear; Level surface
Calum	Boy	Dove
Colten	Boy	From a coal town
Clover	Girl	Meadow flower; Wild flower

1 2 3 … 46 »

Baby names that start with C offer a variety of options for new parents. Versatile in its sounds, C names are melodious and powerful. These variations allow names in traditional and contemporary styles. Additionally, baby names starting with C have religious and royal associations. As these names appear in almost every language, religion, and culture, they are accessible to parents all around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What name starting with C means ‘beautiful’?

The feminine name Cadhla means ‘beautiful’ in Irish, while the Igbo name Chioma means ‘beautiful God.’ The masculine name Callistus means ‘most beautiful’ in Greek, while the Scottish Gaelic name Coinneach simply means ‘beautiful.’

2. What is the most popular girl's name starting with C?

According to official SSA data, over the last couple of decades, C-letter names such as Charlotte (free man), Chloe (ripe green shot), Camila (priest’s helper), and Claire (bright) have been amongst the most popular names in the US (2).

3. What Bible name starts with the letter C?

Several names starting with C appear in both the Old and New Testaments. These include the masculine names Cain (the first son of Adam and Eve, mentioned in the Old Testament) and Caleb (a spy sent by Moses to explore Canaan, also from the Old Testament). For feminine names, there is Chloe (mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in the New Testament) and Cozbi (a Midianite woman mentioned in the Old Testament).

4. What female celebrity starts with the letter C?

Several female celebrities with names starting with the letter C include Australian actress Cate Blanchett, Canadian singer Celine Dion, South African-American actress and producer Charlize Theron, and German supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

5. What is a royal name that starts with C?

The letter C is quite prevalent among royalty. This includes masculine names such as Charles (used by several British kings) and Christian (used by various European kings), as well as feminine names like Charlotte (borne by several princesses, including the daughter of Prince William and Catherine) and Catherine (used by several queens and princesses, including the Duchess of Cambridge).

Infographic: C-Letter Names For Your Little Darling

Baby names starting with the letter C have a rich history across various cultures. These names are both charming and captivating at the same time. There are many reasons to like these names, including their connection to numerous prominent figures in history and modern times. Check out more C-letter names in the infographic below and see if you find the one best suited for your child.

baby names starting with b (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Popularity of a Name.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
Popular names of the period 2010s.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/decades/names2010s.html

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.