This list includes 90 American boy names that start with C, from “Cade” to “Cyrus”. They range from short, modern choices to traditional and biblical names, useful for naming, research, or family history.
American boy names that start with C are given names commonly used for boys in the United States. Many trace to English, Hebrew, Latin, or Celtic roots; “Cyrus” is a notable historical example.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Origin/Meaning, and Popularity/Notes.
Name: The given name as commonly used; you can scan it quickly to shortlist favorites and compare styles.
Pronunciation: A simple phonetic guide shows how each name sounds, helping you decide which names you actually like.
Origin/Meaning: A concise origin and meaning gives cultural context so you understand each name’s background and significance.
Popularity/Notes: Brief notes on U.S. usage, trends, or famous bearers help you assess familiarity and current appeal.
American boy names that start with C
| Name | Pronunciation | Origin/Meaning | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caden | KAY-den | American/Irish—”battle; invented modern form” | Unranked |
| Cade | KAYD | English—”round, barrel” or short form of Cadogan | Unranked |
| Cale | KAYl | English—”steward” or variant of Kale | Unranked |
| Cael | KAY-el | Irish/Gaelic—”slender, powerful” (Gaelic origin) | Unranked |
| Caelan | KAY-lən | Irish—”slender” or “powerful” variant | Unranked |
| Cain | KAYN | Hebrew—”acquired” or biblical Cain | Unranked |
| Caleb | KAY-leb | Hebrew—”devotion, whole” (Hebrew) | Unranked |
| Callan | KAL-ən | Irish—”rock” or “battle” variant | Unranked |
| Callen | KAL-ən | Irish/English—variant of Callan or Allen | Unranked |
| Callum | KAL-əm | Scottish Gaelic—”dove” (from Columba) | Unranked |
| Calvin | KAL-vin | Latin/French—”bald” or from Calvinus | Unranked |
| Camden | KAM-dən | English—”winding valley” or surname place name | Unranked |
| Cameron | KAM-ə-ron | Scottish—”crooked nose” (from Clan Cameron) | Unranked |
| Campbell | KAM-bəl | Scottish—”crooked mouth” originally a surname | Unranked |
| Carl | KAHRL | German/Scandinavian—”man” or “free man” | Unranked |
| Carlo | KAR-loh | Italian/Spanish—form of Charles | Unranked |
| Carlos | KAR-los | Spanish—form of Charles “free man” | Unranked |
| Carlton | KARL-tən | English—”from the king’s town” (place name) | Unranked |
| Carmelo | kar-MEH-loh | Italian/Spanish—”vineyard” or from Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Unranked |
| Carter | KAR-tər | English—”cart driver” (occupational surname) | Unranked |
| Casey | KAY-see | Irish—”vigilant in war” originally Ó Cathasaigh | Unranked |
| Cash | KASH | English—”from the marsh” or nickname for Cassidy | Unranked |
| Cassius | KASH-əs | Latin—”hollow” or Roman family name | Unranked |
| Casper | KAS-per | Persian/Dutch—”treasurer” or variant of Gaspar | Unranked |
| Castor | KAS-tər | Greek/Latin—”seer” or mythological twin | Unranked |
| Cato | KAY-toh | Latin—”wise” (from Roman Cato) | Unranked |
| Cecil | SEH-sil | Latin—”blind” from Caecilius | Unranked |
| Cedric | SEH-drik | Literary/English—modern invented by novelist Walter Scott | Unranked |
| Cesar | SEH-sar | Spanish/Latin—”hairy” or derived from Caesar | Unranked |
| Chad | CHAD | English—short form of Chadwick or Chadrick | Unranked |
| Chance | CHANS | English—”fortune” or “luck” | Unranked |
| Chandler | CHAN-dlər | English—”candle maker” occupational surname | Unranked |
| Channing | CHAN-ing | English—surname used as a given name | Unranked |
| Charles | CHARLZ | Germanic/French—”free man” | Unranked |
| Charlie | CHAR-lee | English—diminutive of Charles used as given name | Unranked |
| Chase | CHAYS | English—”to hunt” occupational surname | Unranked |
| Chauncey | CHAWN-see | Old French—”helmet” or surname | Unranked |
| Chester | CHES-tər | Old English—”fortress” from Latin castra | Unranked |
| Christian | KRIS-chən | Latin—”follower of Christ” | Unranked |
| Christopher | KRIS-tə-fər | Greek—”Christ-bearer” | Unranked |
| Clarence | kluh-RENS | Latin—”clear, bright” (from Clarus) | Unranked |
| Clark | KLARK | English—”scribe, cleric” occupational surname | Unranked |
| Claude | KLOHD | French/Latin—”lame” from Claudius | Unranked |
| Clayton | KLAY-tən | English—”clay town” place-name | Unranked |
| Clement | KLEM-ənt | Latin—”mild, merciful” | Unranked |
| Clifford | KLIH-fərd | Old English—”cliff ford” place-name | Unranked |
| Clinton | KLIN-tən | Old English—”settlement on the hill” surname | Unranked |
| Coby | KOH-bee | Hebrew/Dutch—variant of Jacob or Kobe | Unranked |
| Cody | KOH-dee | Irish—”helpful” or Anglicized Ó Cuidighthigh | Unranked |
| Colby | KOL-bee | Old English—”from coal town” or surname | Unranked |
| Cole | KOHL | English—”coal” or short form of Nicholas | Unranked |
| Colin | KAH-lin or KO-lin | Scottish/Irish—”young pup” or Latin “Columba” variant | Unranked |
| Collin | KAH-lin or KO-lin | English—variant spelling of Colin | Unranked |
| Coleman | KOHL-mən | English/Irish—”coal man” or surname | Unranked |
| Colton | KOL-tən | English—”coal town” surname | Unranked |
| Colson | KOL-sən | English—”son of Cole” surname form | Unranked |
| Conrad | KON-rad | Germanic—”bold counsel” | Unranked |
| Conor | KAH-nər or KOH-nər | Irish—”lover of hounds” (Conchobar variant) | Unranked |
| Connor | KAH-nər or KOH-nər | Irish—variant of Conor | Unranked |
| Constantine | kon-STAN-teen | Latin/Greek—”steadfast” or “constant” | Unranked |
| Cooper | KOO-pər | English—”barrel maker” occupational surname | Unranked |
| Corbin | KOR-bin | French/Latin—”raven” or from Corbeau | Unranked |
| Corey | KOR-ee | Irish—”from the hollow” or Gaelic Ó Comhraidhe | Unranked |
| Cory | KOR-ee | Variant spelling of Corey | Unranked |
| Cornelius | kor-NEE-lee-əs | Latin—”horn” or Roman family name | Unranked |
| Cortez | kor-TEZ | Spanish—possibly “short” or from conquistador surname | Unranked |
| Craig | KRAYG | Scottish—”rock” or crag | Unranked |
| Cristobal | kris-TOH-bal | Spanish—form of Christopher | Unranked |
| Cristian | KRIS-tee-an | Latin/Spanish—form of Christian | Unranked |
| Cristiano | kris-tee-AH-noh | Italian/Spanish—”follower of Christ” | Unranked |
| Cruz | KROOS | Spanish—”cross” (religious) | Unranked |
| Cullen | KUL-ən | Irish—”handsome” or Ó Cuileannáin | Unranked |
| Curtis | KUR-tis | English—”courteous, polite” | Unranked |
| Cyrus | SY-rəs | Persian—”sun” or “throne” (ancient Persian) | Unranked |
| Cillian | KIL-yən or SIL-yən | Irish—”little church” or derived from Ceallach | Unranked |
| Ciro | SEE-roh | Italian/Spanish—variant of Cyrus or from Ciro | Unranked |
| Clive | KLYV | English—”cliff dweller” from Old English | Unranked |
| Clyde | KLYD | Scottish—river name or from Gaelic Cluaidh | Unranked |
| Clifton | KLIF-tən | Old English—”cliff town” place-name | Unranked |
| Cormac | KOR-mak | Irish—”charioteer” or “son of defilement” (Gaelic origin) | Unranked |
| Corwin | KOR-win | Old English/Irish—”friend of the heart” or surname | Unranked |
| Cosmo | KOZ-moh | Greek/Italian—”order, beauty” or cosmopolitan | Unranked |
| Cason | KAY-sən or KAH-sən | American—modern invented surname-style name | Unranked |
| Carson | KAR-sən | Scottish—”son of Carr” or surname | Unranked |
| Casen | KAY-sən | Modern—variant spelling of Cason or Case | Unranked |
| Caspar | KAS-pər | Persian/Greek—variation of Gaspar, “treasurer” | Unranked |
| Caspian | KAS-pee-ən | Literary/Geographic—Black Sea region name | Unranked |
| Cayden | KAY-dən | American—variant spelling of Caden | Unranked |
| Chet | CHET | English—short form of Chester | Unranked |
| Ciaran | KEER-ən | Irish—”little dark one” from Ciar | Unranked |
Descriptions
Caden
Modern phonetic name popular in the 2000s. Many spellings like Kayden or Kaiden.
Cade
Short, crisp name used on its own or as a nickname for Caden or Cadell.
Cale
Simple one-syllable name occasionally used in the U.S.; modern and informal.
Cael
Gaelic name used by some families seeking Celtic heritage names.
Caelan
Modern Irish form gaining usage in the U.S. as a distinctive Celtic choice.
Cain
Biblical name with strong history; used but less common due to biblical associations.
Caleb
Longstanding biblical favorite in the U.S. Strong and familiar without being trendy.
Callan
Irish-origin name used as an alternative to Callum or Kellan.
Callen
Modern spelling variant used in the U.S., friendly and soft sounding.
Callum
Classic Scottish name embraced by American parents who like Celtic options.
Calvin
Vintage classic with intellectual associations and steady U.S. usage.
Camden
Surname-to-first-name trend; popular for its modern sound.
Cameron
Unisex use but primarily male in the U.S.; widely used and familiar.
Campbell
Surname used as a first name, stylish and slightly formal.
Carl
Classic mid-century name still used; short and traditional.
Carlo
Italianate form of Charles used among families with Hispanic or Italian heritage.
Carlos
Common in Spanish-speaking U.S. communities and broadly recognized.
Carlton
Surname-turned-given-name with old-fashioned charm.
Carmelo
Warm Mediterranean name used in Hispanic and Italian-American families.
Carter
Very popular surname-first name in the U.S. Energetic and modern.
Casey
Originally surname and unisex given name, well used for boys in the U.S.
Cash
Short, cool name boosted by cultural figures and modern parents.
Cassius
Historic Roman name with a stylish, classical vibe; used in Afro-American communities.
Casper
Friendly vintage name with playful nickname potential.
Castor
Classical mythological name occasionally chosen for distinctiveness.
Cato
Stoic Roman name used by parents seeking classical and concise choices.
Cecil
Old-fashioned name with vintage charm, seen in some U.S. families.
Cedric
Invented-sounding classic used intermittently in the U.S.
Cesar
Common in Hispanic communities and widely recognized in the U.S.
Chad
1980s favorite still in use; short, masculine and informal.
Chance
Modern virtue-type name used for boys; upbeat and contemporary.
Chandler
Surname name that gained popularity from TV and literature.
Channing
Stylish surname choice known from actors and modern usage.
Charles
Timeless classic with royal and literary history in the U.S.
Charlie
Friendly and popular informal form often used on birth certificates.
Chase
Sporty and modern surname-first name popular in the U.S.
Chauncey
Old-fashioned but occasionally revived for a vintage feel.
Chester
Vintage name with an old-school American flavor.
Christian
Widely used biblical name with strong international familiarity.
Christopher
Longtime staple in the U.S. with many nicknames like Chris or Topher.
Clarence
Early 20th-century favorite still seen in some families.
Clark
Simple surname-first name with a strong, clean sound.
Claude
Old-fashioned European name occasionally used in the U.S.
Clayton
Surname-turned-given-name with a rugged, Southern-U.S. feel.
Clement
Gentle classical name with saintly associations; quietly distinctive.
Clifford
Traditional two-syllable name with vintage American roots.
Clinton
Familiar surname choice with presidential echoes in the U.S.
Coby
Short friendly form seen as modern and sporty on U.S. birth lists.
Cody
Casual and Western-flavored name popular among American families.
Colby
Surname-style name with modern appeal and a sporty vibe.
Cole
Simple, strong one-syllable name widely used in the U.S.
Colin
Classic Celtic name with steady American use.
Collin
Alternative spelling used by many U.S. families; similar sound to Colin.
Coleman
Surname-to-first-name with an old-fashioned working-class charm.
Colton
Modern surname choice that feels rugged and contemporary.
Colson
Newer surname-derived choice rising among parents who like Cole.
Conrad
Classic Germanic name sometimes chosen for a vintage European feel.
Conor
Common Irish spellings seen among U.S. families with Celtic roots.
Connor
Very familiar in the U.S. and often spelled Connor or Conor.
Constantine
Long, historic name often used in families with Eastern Christian heritage.
Cooper
Popular modern surname-first name with a friendly feel.
Corbin
Stylish two-syllable name trending among American parents.
Corey
Popular in past decades and still used across regions.
Cory
Alternative spelling that remains in use as a masculine given name.
Cornelius
Classical name with biblical and historical resonance.
Cortez
Spanish surname used as a bold given name in the U.S.
Craig
Popular in the late 20th century and still used, especially in English-speaking families.
Cristobal
Spanish-language form used in Hispanic U.S. communities.
Cristian
Alternative spelling common in Hispanic families and broadly used.
Cristiano
Italian/Spanish form known worldwide and used in U.S. Hispanic communities.
Cruz
Short, modern name with strong Hispanic usage and celebrity visibility.
Cullen
Modern Celtic choice gaining traction after popular culture exposure.
Curtis
Traditional surname-style name with familiar, friendly sound.
Cyrus
Ancient name with historical kingship associations; stylish revival.
Cillian
Irish Gaelic name growing in U.S. use thanks to celebrities.
Ciro
Used mainly in Italian and Hispanic American families.
Clive
Vintage British name occasionally adopted in the U.S. for a cultured feel.
Clyde
Classic early 20th-century American name still found in some families.
Clifton
Formal vintage name with surname origins used occasionally as a first name.
Cormac
Distinctive Irish name with historical depth used among Irish-Americans.
Corwin
Uncommon but used as a lyrical surname-first choice.
Cosmo
Quirky vintage name with Italian and literary associations.
Cason
Modern invented choice similar to Carson and Mason.
Carson
Popular surname-first name with a contemporary yet classic vibe.
Casen
Inventive spelling variant used by parents seeking uniqueness.
Caspar
Antique name linked to one of the Magi; stylish and unusual today.
Caspian
Adventurous literary name popularized by fiction and film.
Cayden
Alternate spelling popular in the 2000s and 2010s among modern parents.
Chet
Casual, punchy nickname often used as a full given name.
Ciaran
Traditional Irish name used by Irish-American families seeking Gaelic heritage.