This page brings together a complete collection of 104 female names that start with the letter C, running alphabetically from “Catherine” to “Coretta.” These names span many cultures, languages, and eras, from timeless classics to fresh, modern picks. Parents browse lists like this to name a new baby, while writers and creators use them to find the perfect character name.
Female names are personal labels given to girls and women, used to identify them and often passed down through families or chosen for their meaning. Many names on this list carry rich histories, like “Catherine,” which has been borne by queens, saints, and empresses across centuries of European royalty.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows you the female name itself, spelled in its most common form, so you can quickly scan the full alphabetical list.
Origin: This tells you the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its background and choose one that fits your heritage.
Meaning: This gives you the original sense behind each name, so you can pick one whose deeper message feels right for you.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, giving you real-world examples and a sense of the personality each one carries.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of the name’s style and history, helping you decide whether it matches the feel you want.
Female names
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine | Greek | Pure | Catherine the Great, Catherine Zeta-Jones |
| Caroline | French, Germanic | Free woman | Caroline Kennedy, Caroline of Brunswick |
| Charlotte | French | Free man, petite | Charlotte Brontë, Princess Charlotte |
| Chloe | Greek | Young green shoot | Chloe Sevigny, Chloë Grace Moretz |
| Claire | French, Latin | Clear, bright | Claire Foy, Claire Danes |
| Clara | Latin | Bright, clear | Clara Schumann, Clara Barton |
| Camila | Latin, Spanish | Young ceremonial attendant | Camila Cabello, Camila Mendes |
| Camille | French, Latin | Young ceremonial attendant | Camille Claudel, Camille Pissarro (male) |
| Cecilia | Latin | Blind | Saint Cecilia, Cecilia Bartoli |
| Chelsea | English | Chalk landing place | Chelsea Clinton, Chelsea Handler |
| Christine | Greek, French | Follower of Christ | Christine Lagarde, Christine Baranski |
| Christina | Latin, Greek | Follower of Christ | Christina Aguilera, Christina Ricci |
| Crystal | Greek, Latin | Ice, clear glass | Crystal Gayle |
| Courtney | English, French | From the court, short nose | Courteney Cox, Courtney Love |
| Cynthia | Greek | Moon goddess | Cynthia Nixon, Cynthia Erivo |
| Cora | Greek | Maiden | Cora Crawford (Downton Abbey) |
| Celeste | Latin | Heavenly | Celeste Holm |
| Celia | Latin | Heavenly | Celia Johnson, Celia Cruz |
| Caitlin | Irish | Pure | Caitlin Moran |
| Carmen | Spanish, Latin | Garden, song | Carmen Miranda, Carmen Electra |
| Carla | Germanic, Italian | Free woman | Carla Bruni, Carla Gugino |
| Carol | Germanic, English | Free man, joyful song | Carol Burnett, Carole King |
| Caroline | French, Germanic | Free woman | Caroline Wozniacki |
| Cassandra | Greek | Shining upon men | Cassandra Wilson |
| Cassie | Greek, English | Shining upon men | Cassie Ventura |
| Catalina | Spanish, Latin | Pure | Catalina Sandino Moreno |
| Cathy | Greek, English | Pure | Cathy Freeman |
| Cheryl | Welsh, English | Beloved, dear | Cheryl Cole, Cheryl Strayed |
| Cindy | Greek, English | Moon goddess | Cindy Crawford, Cindy Lauper |
| Claudia | Latin | Lame, enclosure | Claudia Schiffer, Claudia Cardinale |
| Clementine | Latin, French | Mild, merciful | Clementine Churchill |
| Colette | French | Victorious people | Colette (author) |
| Constance | Latin | Steadfast, constant | Constance Wu |
| Cordelia | Latin, Celtic | Heart, daughter of the sea | Cordelia (King Lear) |
| Corinne | Greek, French | Maiden | Corinne Bailey Rae |
| Cristina | Latin, Italian | Follower of Christ | Cristina Saralegui |
| Carmela | Hebrew, Italian | Garden, vineyard | Carmela Soprano (character) |
| Carrie | Germanic, English | Free woman | Carrie Fisher, Carrie Underwood |
| Cecily | Latin, English | Blind | Cecily Tyson, Cecily Strong |
| Celine | French, Latin | Heavenly, moon | Celine Dion |
| Charity | Latin, English | Christian love, kindness | Charity (virtue name) |
| Charlene | Germanic, English | Free man, petite | Charlene of Monaco, Charlene Tilton |
| Charmaine | Latin, English | Delight, song | Charmaine (popular song) |
| Cherie | French | Darling, dear | Cherie Blair |
| Cheyenne | Native American | People of a different language | Cheyenne Brando |
| Chiara | Italian, Latin | Bright, clear | Chiara Ferragni |
| Christabel | Latin, English | Beautiful Christian | Christabel Pankhurst |
| Cleo | Greek | Glory | Cleo Laine |
| Cleopatra | Greek | Glory of the father | Cleopatra (Egyptian queen) |
| Clio | Greek | To celebrate, glory | Clio (Muse of history) |
| Colleen | Irish | Girl | Colleen Hoover |
| Connie | Latin, English | Steadfast, constant | Connie Francis, Connie Britton |
| Consuelo | Spanish | Consolation | Consuelo Vanderbilt |
| Coraline | Latin, French | Coral, maiden | Coraline (Neil Gaiman) |
| Cressida | Greek | Gold | Cressida (Troilus and Cressida) |
| Cyrene | Greek | Sovereign queen | Cyrene (mythological nymph) |
| Calla | Greek | Beautiful | Calla (the calla lily) |
| Calliope | Greek | Beautiful voice | Calliope (Muse of epic poetry) |
| Calypso | Greek | She who conceals | Calypso (Odyssey) |
| Candace | Latin, Greek | Pure, glowing white | Candace Cameron Bure |
| Candice | Latin, Greek | Pure, glowing white | Candice Bergen, Candice Swanepoel |
| Cara | Latin, Irish | Beloved, friend | Cara Delevingne |
| Caren | Greek, Danish | Pure | Caren Marsh-Doll |
| Carina | Latin | Dear little one, keel | Carina Lau |
| Carissa | Greek, Latin | Grace, beloved | Carissa Moore |
| Carlota | Spanish, Latin | Free woman | Carlota of Mexico |
| Carolina | Latin, Italian | Free woman | Carolina Herrera |
| Carolyn | Germanic, English | Free woman | Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy |
| Caterina | Italian, Latin | Pure | Caterina Murino |
| Cathleen | Irish | Pure | Cathleen Nesbitt |
| Catriona | Scottish, Irish | Pure | Catriona Balfe |
| Cerys | Welsh | Love | Cerys Matthews |
| Chana | Hebrew | Grace, favor | Chana (biblical Hannah) |
| Chandler | English | Candle maker | Chandler (Friends, male character) |
| Chanel | French | Pipe, channel | Coco Chanel (inspiration) |
| Chantal | French | Stone, boulder | Chantal Akerman |
| Charlie | Germanic, English | Free man | Charlie XCX |
| Chastity | Latin, English | Purity | Chastity Bono |
| Cher | French | Beloved, dear | Cher (singer) |
| China | English | Fine porcelain, place name | China Anne McClain |
| Christabella | Latin, English | Beautiful Christian | Christabella (literary) |
| Ciara | Irish | Dark-haired | Ciara (singer) |
| Cilla | Latin, English | Ancient, of Priscilla | Cilla Black |
| Claribel | Latin, English | Bright and beautiful | Claribel (Tennyson poem) |
| Clarissa | Latin | Bright, clear | Clarissa (Mrs. Dalloway) |
| Clarice | Latin, French | Bright, clear | Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs) |
| Claudette | Latin, French | Lame, enclosure | Claudette Colbert |
| Clio | Greek | Glory, to celebrate | Clio (advertising awards) |
| Clover | English | Meadow flower, clover plant | Clover (nature name) |
| Connie | Latin, English | Constant, steadfast | Connie Chung |
| Coral | Latin, English | Sea coral, gemstone | Coral Browne |
| Coralie | French, Latin | Coral | Coralie Fargeat |
| Cosima | Greek, Italian | Order, beauty | Cosima Wagner |
| Cybele | Greek | Mother goddess | Cybele (Phrygian goddess) |
| Calandra | Greek | Lark | Calandra (literary) |
| Caroline | Latin | Free woman | Caroline Flack |
| Carys | Welsh | Love | Carys Zeta-Jones |
| Catarina | Portuguese, Latin | Pure | Catarina (Portuguese royalty) |
| Cecelia | Latin | Blind | Cecelia Ahern |
| Celestine | Latin, French | Heavenly | Celestine (papal name origin) |
| Charlize | Germanic, Afrikaans | Free woman | Charlize Theron |
| Cherise | French, English | Cherry, dear | Cherise (popular song) |
| Constanza | Spanish, Latin | Steadfast, constant | Constanza (Spanish nobility) |
| Coretta | Greek, English | Maiden | Coretta Scott King |
Descriptions
Catherine
A timeless classic royal name borne by queens and saints, celebrated for its elegance and many friendly nicknames like Kate, Cathy, and Katie.
Caroline
A graceful, refined name with aristocratic roots, long popular in both Europe and America for its gentle, melodic sound.
Charlotte
A feminine form of Charles that surged in popularity, balancing royal heritage with a sweet, approachable charm.
Chloe
A fresh, lively name associated with spring blooming and new growth, popular for its bright and modern feel.
Claire
A simple, luminous name conveying clarity and brightness, prized for its understated elegance and easy international appeal.
Clara
A vintage name enjoying a strong revival, evoking light and intelligence with a soft, classic beauty.
Camila
A romantic, flowing name popular across Latin cultures, derived from the ancient Roman name Camilla.
Camille
An artistic French name with a sophisticated, poetic quality, used historically for both sexes but now mainly feminine.
Cecilia
A lyrical name linked to the patron saint of music, carrying a melodic, devotional charm across many languages.
Chelsea
A trendy place name from a fashionable London district, popular in the late twentieth century for its chic urban vibe.
Christine
A devout, classic name common throughout the twentieth century, valued for its dignified and dependable feel.
Christina
A graceful variant of Christine with a slightly more ornate sound, widely loved across Europe and the Americas.
Crystal
A sparkling, gem-inspired name that peaked in popularity during the 1980s, evoking purity and shimmering beauty.
Courtney
A name with Norman roots that became fashionable as a girls’ name in the late twentieth century.
Cynthia
An ancient name referring to the goddess Artemis, born on Mount Cynthus, with a sophisticated mid-century charm.
Cora
A short, vintage name with mythological ties to Persephone, enjoying renewed popularity for its sweet simplicity.
Celeste
A serene, ethereal name meaning of the sky, prized for its graceful sound and uplifting celestial imagery.
Celia
A delicate, classic name derived from the Roman Caelius family, evoking the heavens with a soft, refined elegance.
Caitlin
An Irish form of Catherine that became hugely popular in many spellings, blending Celtic heritage with a fresh feel.
Carmen
A passionate, vibrant name famous from Bizet’s opera, popular in Spanish-speaking cultures for its fiery charm.
Carla
A strong yet feminine form of Carl, popular in Italy and beyond for its warm, friendly sound.
Carol
A cheerful mid-century classic associated with festive Christmas songs and a bright, approachable personality.
Caroline
A polished, enduring name with royal connections, beloved for its graceful rhythm and warm sophistication.
Cassandra
A dramatic name from Greek mythology referring to a prophetess, valued for its elegant length and fashionable nickname Cassie.
Cassie
A bright, breezy short form of Cassandra that also stands alone as a cheerful, youthful name.
Catalina
A lush Spanish form of Catherine, evoking sunny Mediterranean and Latin American beauty with romantic flair.
Cathy
A warm, friendly diminutive of Catherine, popular in the mid-twentieth century for its casual, approachable charm.
Cheryl
A popular mid-century name blending Cherie and Beryl, evoking affection with a soft, feminine sound.
Cindy
A bubbly, retro diminutive of Cynthia, hugely popular mid-century for its cheerful, all-American feel.
Claudia
An elegant ancient Roman name with timeless sophistication, popular across many European cultures.
Clementine
A charming vintage name evoking the sweet citrus fruit and the beloved folk song, full of gentle warmth.
Colette
A chic French name, a diminutive of Nicolette, carrying literary sophistication and Parisian elegance.
Constance
A virtuous classic name signifying loyalty and reliability, with a dignified, old-world graciousness.
Cordelia
A romantic literary name from Shakespeare, prized for its lyrical beauty and noble, fairy-tale quality.
Corinne
A graceful French name derived from Cora, valued for its smooth, sophisticated and slightly vintage appeal.
Cristina
An elegant Italian and Spanish form of Christina, popular across Latin and Mediterranean cultures.
Carmela
A warm Italian name referring to Mount Carmel, evoking lush gardens and rich Mediterranean heritage.
Carrie
A spirited diminutive of Caroline or Carolyn, popular for its friendly, down-to-earth charm.
Cecily
A refined medieval form of Cecilia, evoking gentility and old English grace with a soft, lyrical sound.
Celine
A sleek, sophisticated French name associated with the heavens, popular for its elegant, fashionable sound.
Charity
A gentle virtue name signifying generosity and compassion, popular among Puritans and still warmly endearing.
Charlene
A graceful elaboration of Charles, popular mid-century for its melodic, feminine charm.
Charmaine
A glamorous, melodic name with uncertain origins, popular for its exotic, romantic sound.
Cherie
An affectionate French term of endearment used as a name, conveying warmth and romantic tenderness.
Cheyenne
A name from the Native American tribe and Wyoming city, evoking the open spirit of the American West.
Chiara
The Italian form of Clara, radiating light and elegance with a lyrical Mediterranean charm.
Christabel
A poetic, romantic name blending Christine and Belle, famous from Coleridge’s unfinished poem.
Cleo
A breezy, stylish short form of Cleopatra, evoking ancient grandeur with a modern, chic edge.
Cleopatra
A regal, exotic name immortalized by the legendary Egyptian queen, evoking power, beauty, and ancient mystique.
Clio
A short, elegant name from the Greek muse of history, prized for its classical sophistication.
Colleen
A sweet Irish-American name simply meaning girl, popular for its friendly Celtic warmth and charm.
Connie
A cheerful diminutive of Constance, popular mid-century for its bright, approachable and homey feel.
Consuelo
A graceful Spanish name referring to the Virgin Mary, conveying comfort and solace with elegant warmth.
Coraline
A whimsical name blending Cora and coral, popularized by the fantasy novel and film for its enchanting charm.
Cressida
A literary name from Greek legend and Shakespeare, valued for its elegant, old-world sophistication.
Cyrene
A rare, exotic name from Greek mythology and an ancient Libyan city, evoking strength and classical beauty.
Calla
A delicate floral name referring to the elegant calla lily, prized for its simple, graceful botanical beauty.
Calliope
A striking name from the Greek muse of epic poetry, valued for its musical sound and artistic associations.
Calypso
An exotic, alluring name from Greek mythology referring to the sea nymph, evoking mystery and tropical charm.
Candace
A regal ancient name once a royal title of Ethiopian queens, popular for its dignified, glowing appeal.
Candice
A glamorous variant of Candace, popular for its bright, polished and sophisticated feminine sound.
Cara
A sweet, simple name meaning dear, popular for its warm, affectionate Italian and Celtic roots.
Caren
A streamlined variant of Karen and Catherine, valued for its clean, gentle and classic sound.
Carina
A graceful name meaning beloved, also a southern constellation, evoking tenderness and celestial beauty.
Carissa
A pretty, melodic name signifying grace and affection, popular for its smooth, romantic flow.
Carlota
A regal Spanish form of Charlotte, carrying royal heritage with a warm, romantic Latin elegance.
Carolina
A lush, melodic form of Caroline, evoking the American South and Italian charm with graceful sophistication.
Carolyn
A gentle mid-century variant of Caroline, valued for its soft, refined and timeless feminine appeal.
Caterina
The Italian form of Catherine, radiating Mediterranean elegance and classic refined beauty.
Cathleen
An Irish variant of Catherine, valued for its lyrical Celtic grace and gentle, classic charm.
Catriona
A beautiful Gaelic form of Catherine, popular in Scotland for its elegant, distinctive Celtic flair.
Cerys
A sweet Welsh name meaning love, popular in Wales for its melodic and tender feminine charm.
Chana
A traditional Hebrew name, the original form of Hannah, valued for its gentle spiritual meaning of grace.
Chandler
An occupational surname-turned-given-name, fashionable as a unisex choice with a crisp, modern sound.
Chanel
A chic, glamorous name inspired by the iconic fashion house, evoking Parisian luxury and timeless style.
Chantal
An elegant French name originally from a place name and saint, popular for its sophisticated, melodic charm.
Charlie
A spunky, friendly unisex diminutive of Charlotte or Charles, popular for its laid-back, modern charm.
Chastity
A virtue name signifying purity and innocence, popular among Puritans and chosen for its wholesome connotations.
Cher
A short, bold name derived from the French word for dear, made iconic by the legendary singer and actress.
China
A delicate, exotic name referring to the country or fine porcelain, evoking elegance and worldly charm.
Christabella
An ornate, romantic elaboration of Christabel, blending faith and beauty with lyrical, fairy-tale elegance.
Ciara
A lovely Irish name meaning dark, popular for its Celtic heritage and smooth, melodic feminine sound.
Cilla
A breezy diminutive of Priscilla, popular for its vintage charm and bright, friendly British appeal.
Claribel
A poetic name blending Clara and Belle, evoking radiant beauty with a sweet, old-fashioned charm.
Clarissa
An elegant elaboration of Clara, popular in literature for its refined, graceful and luminous quality.
Clarice
A sophisticated medieval form of Clara, evoking intelligence and poise with a soft, classic elegance.
Claudette
A glamorous French diminutive of Claudia, popular in the early twentieth century for its chic, vintage charm.
Clio
A crisp, elegant name from the Greek muse of history, valued for its short, classical sophistication.
Clover
A cheerful botanical name evoking lush green meadows and good luck, prized for its sweet, whimsical charm.
Connie
A bright, homey nickname for Constance, beloved mid-century for its friendly and approachable warmth.
Coral
A pretty nature name referring to the pinkish sea gem, evoking ocean beauty with a soft, vintage charm.
Coralie
A lovely French floral-inspired name derived from coral, valued for its graceful, melodic sophistication.
Cosima
An elegant Italian name meaning order or harmony, prized for its exotic, sophisticated and artistic flair.
Cybele
An ancient name of the great mother goddess of nature, evoking strength, fertility, and mythological grandeur.
Calandra
A graceful, rare name meaning lark, evoking birdsong and a light, melodic old-world charm.
Caroline
A classic, elegant name enduring across centuries, beloved for its graceful sound and aristocratic warmth.
Carys
A sweet Welsh name meaning love, popular for its tender meaning and lyrical Celtic charm.
Catarina
The Portuguese form of Catherine, radiating Iberian elegance and timeless, refined beauty.
Cecelia
A graceful variant spelling of Cecilia, linked to the patron saint of music with a lyrical, devotional charm.
Celestine
An ethereal name meaning heavenly, evoking the sky with a graceful, old-world sophistication.
Charlize
A glamorous Afrikaans elaboration of Charles, made famous worldwide by the acclaimed actress.
Cherise
A sweet, fruity name blending cherry and cherie, evoking affection with a bright, charming sound.
Constanza
A graceful Spanish form of Constance, conveying loyalty and steadfastness with romantic Latin elegance.
Coretta
A dignified elaboration of Cora, honored through civil rights history for its grace and quiet strength.