60 Baby Names That Start With C (Boy, Girl & Unisex Picks)

The letter C spans an unusually wide range of naming styles — soft classics like Charlotte, punchy modern picks like Cruz, and mythological throwbacks like Circe all sit under the same letter. Below is a curated set of 60 baby names that start with C, organized by style and gender, each with real context on origin, meaning, and why it’s still being chosen today.

If you’re looking for a list of boy names, here is a great list for you.

Need baby girl name inspo? Here is a great list as well.

If you need girl and boy names — here is a list of more than 1400 baby names for both!

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Why Choose a Name That Starts With C?

Names beginning with the letter C offer a versatile range — from elegant and traditional to playful and unexpected. Whether you’re drawn to soft-sounding names like Cecilia or punchier ones like Cruz or Cade, the “C” names strike a beautiful balance.

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Baby Girl Names That Start With C

Popular & Classic C Girl Names

• Charlotte – French/Germanic, the feminine form of Charles meaning “free woman.” It’s topped U.S. girl name charts for years, boosted by Princess Charlotte of the British royal family. Charlie or Lottie both work as nicknames, and its old-world elegance pairs well with almost any surname.
• Chloe – Greek for “blooming” or “young green shoot,” originally an epithet for the goddess Demeter tied to spring fertility. It’s remained a steady top-50 U.S. name for over two decades. Chloe requires no nickname, staying short and complete on its own.
• Claire – French for “bright” or “clear,” Claire has stayed a quiet, reliable classic without major spikes or drops. It’s simple to spell and pronounce across most languages, and Clara is a close, slightly more ornate variant for extra formality.
• Caroline – A feminine form of Charles via Carolus, meaning “free woman” like Charlotte, Caroline carries both Southern and royal associations, including Princess Caroline of Monaco. Carrie or Lina both work as nicknames.
• Catherine – Greek in origin, meaning “pure,” Catherine has one of the longest running streaks of any Western girl’s name, carried by queens, saints, and first ladies alike. Kate, Cat, Catie, and Kit all work as nicknames, giving real flexibility.
• Clara – Latin for “bright” or “clear,” Clara has surged back into popularity over the past 15 years as part of the broader vintage revival. It’s simple, elegant, and doesn’t require a nickname. Its lead role in The Nutcracker adds storybook charm.
• Cecilia – Latin, traditionally interpreted as “blind” but more commonly associated today with Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music. It has a soft, musical rhythm, partly helped by Paul Simon’s song “Cecilia.” CeCe or Celia both work as nicknames.
• Camila – A Latin name referring to a “young ceremonial attendant” in ancient Roman religious rites, Camila has surged in the U.S. over the past decade, helped by its use across Spanish-speaking communities and singer Camila Cabello. Cami is the common nickname.
• Celeste – French/Latin for “heavenly” or “of the sky,” Celeste has a soft, ethereal sound that fits the broader trend toward celestial baby names. It works well without a nickname, though Celia or Cece both function informally.
• Callie – A nickname-turned-given-name most often shortened from Calliope or Caroline, Callie has a bright, friendly sound that’s grown as a standalone choice. It suits parents who want a shorter, more casual alternative to its longer root names.

Unique & Whimsical Girl C Names

• Calypso – From Greek mythology, Calypso was the nymph who detained Odysseus on her island for seven years in the Odyssey, and the name carries real mythological and nautical romance. It’s also the name of a Caribbean musical style, adding a second layer of meaning.
• Clover – Named directly for the lucky three- or four-leaf plant, Clover carries built-in good-fortune symbolism. It’s part of the broader nature-name trend and works well for either gender, though it currently leans slightly more common for girls.
• Cassia – Derived from the cinnamon-like spice plant of the same name, itself from the Greek “kassia,” Cassia has a warm, aromatic association uncommon among baby names. Cass is a natural nickname.
• Capri – Named for the scenic Italian island in the Bay of Naples, Capri carries an obvious vacation-glamour association. It’s short, easy to pronounce, and works well for parents with a personal connection to Italy.
• Ciel – French for “sky,” Ciel is about as short and minimalist as nature names get, pronounced “syel.” It’s genuinely rare in English-speaking countries, making it a strong pick for parents seeking real distinctiveness.
• Cyra – A modern feminine form related to Cyrus, ultimately from the Persian for “sun” or “throne,” Cyra carries quiet regal weight beneath its short, punchy sound. It’s rare enough to stand out without being difficult to say.
• Cadence – An English word name referring to rhythm or the flow of sound, Cadence has grown steadily as parents embrace musical and word-based names. It has a smooth, lyrical quality, and Cady is a natural nickname.
• Cherith – A biblical place name referring to the stream where the prophet Elijah was fed by ravens in the Old Testament, Cherith carries genuine scriptural depth while remaining almost entirely unused as a first name.
• Circe – From Greek mythology, Circe was the powerful enchantress who transformed Odysseus’s men into swine in the Odyssey, and the name has surged recently thanks to Madeline Miller’s bestselling novel retelling her story.
• Cosima – An Italian feminine form of Cosimo, meaning “order” or “harmony,” Cosima carries real historical weight through Cosima Wagner, daughter of composer Franz Liszt and wife of Richard Wagner. Cosi or Coz both work as informal nicknames.

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Baby Boy Names That Start With C

Top Boy C Names

• Caleb – Hebrew for “devotion” or “whole-hearted,” Caleb appears in the Old Testament as one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan, known for his unwavering faith. It’s remained a steady top-50 U.S. name for over two decades.
• Carter – An English occupational surname meaning “cart driver,” Carter crossed over to widespread first-name use in the 2000s, helped by its friendly, approachable sound.
• Christian – Directly referencing “follower of Christ,” Christian carries obvious religious meaning while remaining widely used across many denominations and countries. Chris is the natural nickname.
• Colton – A modern American surname-name meaning “coal town,” Colton grew quickly in popularity through the 1990s and 2000s as part of the broader trend toward “-ton” ending boy names. Colt is a natural shortened form.
• Connor – An Irish name meaning “lover of hounds” or “wolf-lover,” referring to ancient warrior chieftains, Connor has stayed consistently popular in both Ireland and the U.S.
• Chase – An English word name meaning “to hunt,” Chase carries an active, energetic feel that fits current trends toward short, verb-based boy names. It’s remained popular for over three decades.
• Cole – A shortened English surname name meaning “coal” or “dark,” Cole works well as a standalone name rather than only a nickname for Nicholas or Coleman. It’s short and easy to pair with longer middle names.
• Caden – A modern invented name, likely coined as a blend inspired by Aidan and Kaden, Caden surged during the broader “-aden” naming trend of the 2000s.
• Chance – A direct word name meaning “luck” or “fortune,” Chance carries obvious aspirational meaning and has remained a steady, if not top-tier, choice for decades.
• Cody – An Irish surname meaning “helpful,” Cody became hugely popular in the U.S. in the 1980s and 90s, partly through its cowboy association with Buffalo Bill Cody.

Cool & Unique Boy Names Starting With C

• Cassian – A Roman family name (Cassianus) meaning “curly-haired,” Cassian carries genuine ancient Roman history along with a modern, stylish sound. Cass is a natural nickname.
• Cairo – Named directly for Egypt’s capital city, itself from the Arabic “al-Qahirah” meaning “the victorious,” Cairo carries bold geographic and historical weight.
• Creed – An English word name referring to a guiding belief or statement of principle, Creed gained visibility through the Rocky spinoff film franchise and the band of the same name.
• Caspian – Named for the Caspian Sea and popularized through C.S. Lewis’s Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia, Caspian carries both geographic scale and literary fantasy appeal.
• Cian – An ancient Irish name meaning “ancient” or “enduring,” pronounced roughly “KEE-an,” Cian is common in Ireland but still rare in the U.S., tied to a legendary warrior in Irish mythology.
• Calloway – An English surname meaning “pebbly place” or referring to a rocky path, Calloway has a smooth, jazzy sound that gained visibility through bandleader Cab Calloway. Cal is a natural nickname.
• Clarke – An English occupational surname meaning “scholar” or “clerk,” Clarke carries an intellectual, buttoned-up feel distinct from flashier modern names. It works well without a nickname.
• Cyrus – Persian for “sun” or “throne,” Cyrus carries serious historical weight through Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire and a figure referenced in the Bible.
• Cannon – An English word name referring to both the weapon and a rule or standard (“canon”), Cannon carries a bold, powerful sound favored in current naming trends.
• Croix – French for “cross,” Croix carries quiet religious symbolism beneath a short, modern sound, and has grown in visibility partly through celebrity use.

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Gender-Neutral & Unisex C Baby Names

• Casey – An Irish name meaning “vigilant” or “watchful,” Casey has worked as a unisex name in the U.S. for decades, popularized partly through “Casey at the Bat” and various TV characters.
• Camden – An English place name meaning “winding valley,” referring to both a London borough and towns across the U.S., Camden works for either gender and has grown as part of the broader place-name trend.
• Charlie – A nickname-turned-given-name from Charles or Charlotte, Charlie now works as a complete standalone name for either gender, especially popular for girls in recent years.
• Cory – An Irish-rooted name meaning “hollow” or “seething pool,” Cory has stayed a steady, low-key unisex choice for decades without major spikes.
• Callen – A modern surname-style name possibly derived from the Gaelic “Cathal,” meaning “battle rule” or loosely “rock,” Callen works for either gender with a strong, grounded sound.
• Cyan – Taken directly from the blue-green color, itself from the Greek “kyanos,” Cyan is a rare, modern color-word name that works for either gender.
• Channing – An English surname possibly meaning “young wolf” or “knowing one,” Channing gained visibility through actor Channing Tatum, helping normalize it as a first name, though it now also sees some use for girls.
• Cassidy – An Irish surname meaning “curly-haired” or “clever,” Cassidy works for either gender and gained visibility partly through outlaw Butch Cassidy. Cass is a natural nickname.
• Cricket – A nature and word name referring to the insect known for its chirping song, Cricket has a playful, distinctive sound that works for either gender and guarantees real individuality.
• Cypress – Named for the tall, resilient tree associated with strength and mourning in several cultures, Cypress works for either gender and fits the broader trend toward tree and nature names.

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International Baby Names That Start With C

• Ciara (Irish) – Meaning “dark-haired” or “black,” pronounced “KEER-a” in Ireland but often anglicized to “see-AR-a” in the U.S., partly through singer Ciara. It carries genuine Gaelic roots beneath its modern sound.
• Cruz (Spanish/Portuguese) – Meaning “cross,” Cruz carries direct religious symbolism and has grown quickly in the U.S. as a surname-turned-first-name for several celebrity children. It works for either gender, though usage leans male.
• Celio (Italian) – Meaning “heaven” or “heavenly,” related to one of Rome’s seven hills, the Caelian Hill, Celio carries old Roman geographic history beneath a soft, romantic sound.
• Ciro (Italian) – The Italian form of Cyrus, meaning “sun” or “throne,” Ciro carries the same Persian royal history as its English counterpart but with a distinctly Italian sound.
• Chike (Nigerian, Igbo) – Meaning “God’s power,” Chike carries real cultural and spiritual weight within Igbo naming traditions, where names often express family hopes or divine attributes.
• Catalina (Spanish) – The Spanish form of Catherine, meaning “pure,” Catalina also carries a geographic association through Santa Catalina Island off the California coast. Cata or Lina both work as nicknames.
• Caius (Latin) – Meaning “rejoice,” Caius was a common given name in ancient Rome, as in Caius Julius Caesar, and has picked up modern visibility through fantasy series like Twilight.
• Colm (Irish) – The Irish form of Columba, meaning “dove,” Colm carries genuine Irish saintly history through Saint Columba, one of Ireland’s patron saints.
• Chiara (Italian) – The Italian form of Clara, meaning “light” or “bright,” Chiara carries the same meaning as Clara but with a more melodic, romance-language sound, and ties to Saint Clare of Assisi.
• Cosmo (Greek) – Meaning “order” or “harmony,” the root behind words like “cosmos” and “cosmopolitan,” Cosmo carries bold, philosophical weight and some pop-culture visibility through Seinfeld.

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Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right C Name

When choosing the right baby name, think about:

• How it sounds with your last name
• Nickname potential
• Cultural or family significance
• How it may evolve as your child grows

If you’re still unsure, consider keeping a shortlist and waiting until baby arrives — sometimes, they just “look” like a certain name.

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FAQ: Baby Names That Start With C

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