This page brings together 61 English names that start with the letter C, running alphabetically from “Caleb” to “Cyrus.” These names span centuries of tradition, from regal classics and gentle virtue names to fresh surname-style picks, and they suit babies, characters, and anyone curious about meanings and roots.
English names are personal names that grew out of English-speaking cultures, drawing on Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Germanic, and Celtic sources over many generations. Many were popularized by royalty, saints, and writers, and names like “Charlotte” and “Catherine” have returned to the top of the charts again and again.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the full name exactly as it is spelled, so you can quickly scan the list and find the one you want.
Gender: This tells you whether a name is typically used for boys, girls, or both, helping you choose the right fit.
Origin: This points to the language or culture a name comes from, giving you a sense of its history and heritage.
Meaning: This explains what the name originally meant, so you can pick one whose sense matches the feeling you want.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, helping you connect it to real figures and lasting impressions.
Description: This gives a short, friendly overview of each name’s style, popularity, and charm, so you can compare options at a glance.
English names
| Name | Gender | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb | Male | Hebrew | Faithful, devotion, whole-hearted | Caleb McLaughlin, Joshua Caleb (biblical) |
| Calvin | Male | Latin/French | Little bald one | Calvin Klein, Calvin Coolidge, Calvin Harris |
| Cameron | Unisex | Scottish/English | Crooked nose | Cameron Diaz, Cameron Boyce |
| Camille | Female | French/English | Young ceremonial attendant | Camille Saint-Saens, Camille Claudel |
| Carl | Male | English/Germanic | Free man | Carl Sagan, Carl Jung |
| Carla | Female | English/Italian | Free woman | Carla Bruni, Carla Gugino |
| Carol | Female | English | Free woman; song of joy | Carol Burnett, Carole King |
| Caroline | Female | English/French | Free woman | Caroline Kennedy, Princess Caroline |
| Carolyn | Female | English | Free woman | Carolyn Bessette, Carolyn Keene |
| Carter | Male | English | Cart driver, transporter | Carter Reum, Jimmy Carter (surname) |
| Casey | Unisex | English/Irish | Brave, vigilant | Casey Affleck, Casey Stoner |
| Cassandra | Female | Greek/English | Shining upon men; prophetess | Cassandra Peterson |
| Catherine | Female | English/Greek | Pure | Catherine the Great, Catherine Zeta-Jones |
| Cecil | Male | English/Latin | Blind; sixth | Cecil Beaton, Cecil Rhodes |
| Cecilia | Female | English/Latin | Blind; patron of music | Cecilia Bartoli, Saint Cecilia |
| Cedric | Male | English | Coined by Walter Scott; kindly | Cedric the Entertainer, Cedric Diggory (fiction) |
| Celeste | Female | English/Latin | Heavenly | Celeste Holm, Celeste Barber |
| Celia | Female | English/Latin | Heavenly | Celia Johnson, Celia Imrie |
| Chad | Male | English | Battle, warrior; protector | Chad Michael Murray, Saint Chad |
| Charles | Male | English/Germanic | Free man | Charles Dickens, King Charles III, Charles Darwin |
| Charlotte | Female | English/French | Free woman | Charlotte Bronte, Princess Charlotte |
| Chase | Male | English | To hunt, huntsman | Chase Crawford, Chase Elliott |
| Chelsea | Female | English | Landing place for chalk or limestone | Chelsea Clinton, Chelsea Handler |
| Chester | Male | English/Latin | Fortress, walled town | Chester Bennington, Chester A. Arthur |
| Chloe | Female | Greek/English | Young green shoot, blooming | Chloe Grace Moretz, Chloe Sevigny |
| Chris | Unisex | English/Greek | Bearer of Christ | Chris Hemsworth, Chris Rock |
| Christian | Male | English/Latin | Follower of Christ | Christian Bale, Christian Dior |
| Christina | Female | English/Greek | Follower of Christ | Christina Aguilera, Christina Rossetti |
| Christine | Female | English/Greek | Follower of Christ | Christine McVie, Christine Baranski |
| Christopher | Male | English/Greek | Bearer of Christ | Christopher Columbus, Christopher Nolan |
| Clara | Female | English/Latin | Bright, clear, famous | Clara Barton, Clara Bow |
| Clarence | Male | English/Latin | Bright, clear | Clarence Thomas, Clarence Clemons |
| Clark | Male | English | Cleric, scholar, clerk | Clark Gable, Clark Kent (fiction) |
| Claude | Male | English/French | Lame, enclosure | Claude Monet, Claude Debussy |
| Claudia | Female | English/Latin | Lame; from the Claudius family | Claudia Schiffer, Claudia Cardinale |
| Clay | Male | English | Settlement near clay; mortal | Clay Aiken, Cassius Clay |
| Clayton | Male | English | Settlement near clay | Clayton Kershaw, Clayton Moore |
| Clement | Male | English/Latin | Merciful, gentle | Clement Attlee, Clement Clarke Moore |
| Clementine | Female | English/Latin | Merciful, gentle | Clementine Churchill, Clementine Ford |
| Clifford | Male | English | Ford by a cliff | Clifford Brown, Clifford the Big Red Dog (fiction) |
| Clifton | Male | English | Settlement by a cliff | Clifton Webb, Clifton Davis |
| Clint | Male | English | Settlement near a hill or cliff | Clint Eastwood, Clint Black |
| Clinton | Male | English | Settlement near a hill | Bill Clinton, Clinton Kelly |
| Clive | Male | English | Cliff, slope | Clive Owen, Clive Barker |
| Cody | Male | English/Irish | Helpful; descendant of Cuidighthigh | Cody Simpson, Buffalo Bill Cody |
| Colby | Male | English | Coal town, dark settlement | Colby Covington, Colby Donaldson |
| Cole | Male | English | Coal black, swarthy | Cole Sprouse, Nat King Cole (surname) |
| Colin | Male | English/Scottish | Young pup; people of victory | Colin Firth, Colin Powell |
| Connor | Male | Irish/English | Lover of hounds; wise | Connor McGregor, Connor Kenway (fiction) |
| Constance | Female | English/Latin | Steadfast, constant | Constance Wu, Constance Markievicz |
| Cooper | Male | English | Barrel maker | Cooper Kupp, Bradley Cooper (surname) |
| Cora | Female | English/Greek | Maiden | Cora Pearl, Cora Crawley (fiction) |
| Cordelia | Female | English/Latin | Heart; daughter of the sea | Cordelia (King Lear), Cordelia Chase (fiction) |
| Corey | Male | English/Irish | Hollow, ravine; God’s peace | Corey Feldman, Corey Taylor |
| Cornelius | Male | English/Latin | Horn | Cornelius Vanderbilt, Cornelius (biblical) |
| Courtney | Unisex | English/French | From the court; short nose | Courtney Love, Courtney Cox |
| Craig | Male | Scottish/English | Rock, crag | Craig David, Daniel Craig (surname) |
| Crystal | Female | English/Greek | Ice, clear quartz | Crystal Gayle, Billy Crystal (surname) |
| Curtis | Male | English/French | Courteous, polite | Curtis Mayfield, Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) |
| Cynthia | Female | English/Greek | Moon goddess; from Mount Kynthos | Cynthia Nixon, Cynthia Erivo |
| Cyrus | Male | English/Persian | Sun; lord | Cyrus the Great, Billy Ray Cyrus (surname) |
Descriptions
Caleb
A strong Old Testament name long popular in English-speaking countries. It carries a sense of loyalty and courage, and saw a big revival in the late 20th century.
Calvin
An English name rooted in a Latin nickname, made famous by the reformer John Calvin. It feels both classic and crisp, helped along by fashion and pop culture.
Cameron
Originally a Scottish surname adopted as an English first name. It works well for any gender and gained wide popularity from the 1980s onward.
Camille
A graceful name with French roots used throughout the English-speaking world. It has an elegant, artistic feel and appears often in literature and music.
Carl
A sturdy, no-nonsense English form of Charles. It peaked in popularity in the mid-20th century and still reads as dependable and warm.
Carla
The feminine counterpart to Carl and Charles, used widely in English-speaking regions. It is friendly and approachable with a slightly continental flair.
Carol
A cheerful English name linked to Christmas songs of celebration. It was hugely popular mid-century and still suggests warmth and good humor.
Caroline
An elegant, enduring English name with royal connections. It balances dignity and softness, making it a perennial favorite among traditional choices.
Carolyn
A variant of Caroline that flourished in the 20th century. It feels gentle and classic while remaining easy to say and spell.
Carter
An occupational English surname turned popular first name. It has a modern, energetic sound and rose sharply in the early 2000s.
Casey
A breezy, friendly name used for boys and girls alike. It carries an easygoing American-English charm and works in casual and formal settings.
Cassandra
A dramatic, literary English name drawn from Greek mythology. It suggests intelligence and beauty, with the popular nickname Cassie.
Catherine
A timeless English classic borne by queens and saints. Its purity of meaning and many nicknames keep it perennially fashionable.
Cecil
A refined, old-fashioned English name with an aristocratic ring. Once common, it now feels vintage and distinguished.
Cecilia
A lyrical English name tied to the patron saint of music. It is soft and melodic, immortalized in song and poetry.
Cedric
A literary English invention from the novel Ivanhoe. It has a noble, slightly gallant feel and remains a charming, uncommon choice.
Celeste
A serene, heavenly name used across English-speaking countries. It feels airy and graceful with a touch of vintage elegance.
Celia
A short, sweet English name with classical roots. Shakespeare used it in As You Like It, giving it a literary warmth.
Chad
A brisk, one-syllable English name that peaked in popularity in the 1970s. It feels relaxed and all-American while honoring an early English saint.
Charles
One of the great royal English names, borne by kings and luminaries. It is dignified and versatile, with beloved nicknames like Charlie and Chuck.
Charlotte
A graceful, royal English name with literary pedigree. It surged back to the top of charts in recent decades and feels both classic and fresh.
Chase
A sleek English surname-name with a sporty, adventurous edge. It rose in popularity in the late 20th century for its modern energy.
Chelsea
An English place name turned trendy first name. It evokes a fashionable London district and feels lively and contemporary.
Chester
A handsome English place name with a cozy, vintage charm. Once common, it now feels delightfully retro with the nickname Chet.
Chloe
A fresh, blossoming name popular throughout the English-speaking world. It is light and pretty with ancient Greek roots and modern appeal.
Chris
A friendly, approachable short form of Christopher or Christine. It is among the most familiar casual English names for either gender.
Christian
A strong, faith-rooted English name used worldwide. It conveys virtue and steadiness while sounding handsome and timeless.
Christina
A melodic, classic English name with religious roots. It has graced poets and pop stars alike and offers nicknames like Tina and Chrissy.
Christine
A warm, established English name that peaked mid-century. It feels gentle and dependable, with the affectionate short form Chris.
Christopher
A beloved, enduring English name carried by explorers and saints. Its rich meaning and friendly nicknames keep it a top traditional pick.
Clara
A luminous vintage name enjoying a strong modern revival. It feels both sweet and substantial, evoking light and clarity.
Clarence
A dignified English name once linked to dukedoms and royalty. It has an old-fashioned warmth and the friendly nickname Clarrie.
Clark
A crisp occupational English surname-name. It carries a classic Hollywood and superhero charm, sounding both smart and strong.
Claude
An artistic English-French name associated with great painters and composers. It feels refined and creative with a soft, lasting elegance.
Claudia
A graceful Roman-rooted name used widely in English. It is sophisticated and timeless, popular among models and actresses.
Clay
A grounded, earthy English name short for Clayton or used alone. It has a rugged simplicity and a friendly Southern-American feel.
Clayton
A solid English place name turned first name. It feels dependable and warm, often shortened to the easygoing Clay.
Clement
A gentle, virtuous English name borne by saints and popes. It conveys kindness and has the charming nickname Clem.
Clementine
A sweet, fruity vintage name enjoying renewed affection. It feels cheerful and quaint, immortalized in the well-known folk song.
Clifford
A sturdy English place name with a friendly, vintage feel. It is well known from children’s stories and shortens nicely to Cliff.
Clifton
A handsome English place name turned first name. It has a refined, slightly old-world charm and an easy nickname in Cliff.
Clint
A rugged short form of Clinton with cowboy cool. It became iconic through Hollywood Westerns and country music.
Clinton
A strong English place name carried into politics and fashion. It feels stately and is often shortened to the casual Clint.
Clive
A brisk, distinctly English name with a literary and cinematic edge. It feels smart and understated, popular in Britain.
Cody
A breezy, friendly name with frontier associations. It rose in popularity in the late 20th century for its easygoing charm.
Colby
An English place name turned trendy first name, also known as a cheese. It feels fresh and modern with a warm, approachable sound.
Cole
A sleek, single-syllable English name with vintage roots. It is cool and contemporary, popular for its simplicity and strength.
Colin
A polished, classic English name with British charm. It feels intelligent and gentle, long a steady favorite in the UK.
Connor
A spirited Irish-rooted name embraced across English-speaking countries. It feels strong and youthful, soaring in popularity since the 1990s.
Constance
A dignified virtue name with medieval English roots. It conveys loyalty and resolve, offering the sweet nickname Connie.
Cooper
A warm occupational English surname turned popular first name. It feels friendly and wholesome, rising fast in recent decades.
Cora
A short, elegant vintage name making a strong comeback. It feels both classic and fresh, helped by period dramas.
Cordelia
A romantic, literary English name from Shakespeare’s King Lear. It is rich and graceful with the playful nickname Cordy.
Corey
A friendly, relaxed name that peaked in 1980s popularity. It has an upbeat, approachable sound used for an easygoing charm.
Cornelius
A stately, classical English name with Roman roots. It feels grand and old-fashioned, with the warm nickname Corny or Neil.
Courtney
An elegant English surname-name used widely for girls. It feels sophisticated and gained great popularity in the late 20th century.
Craig
A sturdy, down-to-earth name of Scottish origin used throughout English-speaking countries. It peaked mid-century and feels reliably masculine.
Crystal
A sparkling, gemstone-inspired English name popular in the 1980s. It feels bright and glamorous with a clear, shining appeal.
Curtis
A smooth English surname-name meaning refined manners. It feels classic and cool, long popular in music and sports.
Cynthia
An elegant English name with mythological roots tied to the moon. It feels graceful and timeless, with the friendly nickname Cindy.
Cyrus
A regal name with ancient Persian roots used in English-speaking countries. It feels strong and distinguished, evoking great kings of antiquity.