This list includes 40 Mythical creatures that start with C, from “Cabbyl-ushte” to “Cynocephali”. Many entries are hybrids, water horses, or dog-headed figures drawn from global folklore and legend. Use this list for research, character design, worldbuilding, or classroom reference.

Mythical creatures that start with C are legendary beings whose common names begin with the letter C. They include regional spirits, hybrids, and anthropomorphic monsters, like the Manx “Cabbyl-ushte” and the medieval “Cynocephali”.

Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES].

Name: Lists the creature’s common name, so you can quickly identify entries and use them in writing or research.

Origin: Gives the culture or region associated with the creature, helping you place it in historical or geographical context.

Description: Offers a concise one- to two-sentence summary of appearance and behavior, useful for quick reference and inspiration.

Famous stories: Names one to three well-known tales, myths, or texts where the creature appears, so you can follow up sources.

Alternate names: Lists common variants and spellings so you recognize the creature across different traditions and search terms.

Mythical creatures that start with C

Name Origin (Culture) Alternate names Famous stories/sources Description
Cerberus Greek Kerberos Hesiod, Homer, Aeschylus Three-headed hound of Hades who guards the underworld entrance, often shown with serpentine features; notable for preventing souls leaving the dead realm.
Chimera Greek Chimaera Hesiod, Iliad, Bellerophon myth Fire-breathing hybrid with a lion’s head, goat body, and serpent tail; famed as the monstrous foe slain by Bellerophon.
Cyclops Greek Cyclopes Odyssey, Hesiod One-eyed giant race known for smithing and brute strength; Polyphemus is the best-known individual from the Odyssey.
Charybdis Greek — Odyssey, Homer Sea monster that creates deadly whirlpools, positioned opposite Scylla in sailors’ lore; embodies maritime peril “between Scylla and Charybdis.”
Centaur Greek Kentauroi Various myths, Centauromachy Half-human, half-horse beings, often wild and warlike though some (like Chiron) are wise tutors and healers.
Cockatrice Medieval European Basilisk (sometimes conflated) Medieval bestiaries, Physiologus Two-legged dragon-chicken hybrid whose gaze or breath could kill; medieval lore says it hatches from a cock’s egg incubated by a serpent.
Chupacabra Puerto Rican/Latin American Chupa-cabra 1990s reports, Latin American folklore Modern cryptid blamed for livestock attacks, described as vampiric or reptilian; central to contemporary rural and urban legends.
Curupira Brazilian Curupira Amazonian folktales, Brazilian folklore Forest guardian with backward feet who protects wildlife by misleading hunters and punishing those who harm the forest.
Cuca Brazilian/Portuguese Cucuy, Coco Brazilian folktales, Monteiro Lobato Malevolent witch or bogeywoman in lullabies and children’s tales used to frighten misbehaving children.
Cuélebre Cantabrian/Asturian (Spain) Cuelebre Northern Spanish folktales Winged serpent or dragon that guards caves and treasures, often linked to storms and guardian roles in mountain lore.
Cu Sith Scottish Gaelic Cù Sìth Scottish Highland tales Supernatural green or dark hound that haunts moors; its bark is said to foretell death and souls’ passage.
Catoblepas Ethiopian/Greek — Pliny, Medieval bestiaries Stout, ox-like beast whose gaze or breath was believed deadly; depicted with a heavy head hanging toward the ground.
Caladrius Roman/Medieval — Medieval bestiaries, Physiologus White healing bird that could take a person’s illness into itself and fly away, symbolizing cure and purity.
Ceryneian Hind Greek Cerynian Hind Labours of Heracles Sacred golden-horned deer of Artemis; famed for its swiftness and as an impossible quarry captured in Heracles’ labors.
Chaneque Nahua/Mexican Chaneques Mexican folklore, Aztec-era tales Small forest spirits or tricksters that hide belongings and lead travelers astray, prominent in Gulf Coast and Veracruz tales.
Cadejo Central American El Cadejo Central American folktales Supernatural dog appearing as a protective white or menacing black figure at night; prominent in Salvadoran and Guatemalan stories.
Camazotz Maya — Popol Vuh Bat-like death spirit associated with night, sacrifice, and the underworld; appears in the Maya creation epic Popol Vuh.
Chudo-Yudo Slavic Chudo yudo Russian folktales Multi-headed sea or dragon monster defeated by heroes in folktales; name literally evokes a “wonder–wonder” or marvel.
Cherufe Mapuche (Chile) — Mapuche legend Fire or magma demon blamed for volcanic eruptions and tremors; some tales demand offerings to appease it.
Chinthe Burmese — Burmese temple guardians, folklore Lion-like guardian creature (often sculpted) that protects temples and stupas across Myanmar; seen as a protective emblem.
Ceffyl Dŵr Welsh Ceffyl Dwr Welsh folktales Supernatural water-horse that lures riders to drown, often appears at riverbanks and tarries before vanishing.
Clurichaun Irish Cluracan Irish folklore, leprechaun tales Drunken, nocturnal cousin of the leprechaun who guards wine cellars and causes mischief around houses at night.
Churel South Asian Chudail, Churail South Asian folktales Vengeful female spirit born of unjust death, often depicted with backward feet and known for luring or harming men.
Chonchón Mapuche/Chilean Chonchón Chilote and Mapuche folklore Flying disembodied head with ear-wing appendages, associated with sorcery and ominous night-time portents.
Calydonian Boar Greek — Calydonian Hunt myth Enormous monstrous boar sent by Artemis to ravage Calydon, hunted by a coalition of Greek heroes.
Cadborosaurus Pacific Northwest cryptid Caddy Pacific Northwest lore, eyewitness reports Long-necked lake serpent reported in Indigenous and settler tales around the Pacific Northwest coast; a regional cryptid.
Champ North American (Lake Champlain) — Lake Champlain legends, local reports Lake monster said to inhabit Lake Champlain; a longstanding part of local folklore and occasional alleged sightings.
Ciguapa Dominican Republic — Dominican folktales Nocturnal female spirit or creature with backward feet, seductive and elusive in mountainous Dominican folklore.
Cretan Bull Greek — Minos and Heracles myths Powerful bull from Crete tied to myths of Minos and Heracles, driver of chaos and father (in some accounts) of the Minotaur.
Cat Sidhe Scottish/Irish Cait Sidhe Scottish and Irish folklore Fairy cat, often black with a white spot, alternately seen as a soul-stealer or a protective fairy creature in Highland tales.
Cirein-cròin Scottish Gaelic Cirein-cròin Scottish Gaelic sea lore Massive legendary sea monster claimed to be the largest of sea creatures in Hebridean lore and fishermen’s tales.
Camahueto Mapuche — Mapuche myth Mythic golden-horned bull whose horn holds healing power; featured in tales of capture and sacrifice.
Caipora Brazilian — Tupi-Guarani and Brazilian folklore Forest spirit or small hunter who protects animals and punishes disrespectful hunters; sometimes portrayed riding a peccary.
Chamrosh Persian Chamush Shahnameh, Persian legend Mythic bird-dog guardian in Persian epic tradition, often depicted as a protector of humans and the world.
Crocotta Classical/Medieval Crocuta Pliny, Medieval bestiaries Dog-like, flesh-eating beast from India or Ethiopia in classical sources, famed for mimicking human voices to lure prey.
Canotila Lakota (Sioux) Canotila Lakota folklore Little woodland spirits who aid hunters and shamans by revealing hidden animals or granting guidance.
Cynocephali Greek/Medieval Dog-headed men Medieval travel literature, Pliny Legendary race of dog-headed humanoids reported in ancient and medieval accounts across travel lore.
Cwn Annwn Welsh Hounds of Annwn Mabinogion, Welsh folktales Spectral hunting hounds of the Otherworld whose baying foretells death and who hunt souls for the underworld.
Capelobo Brazilian/Amazonian Capelobo Amazonian folktales Hybrid creature (often anteater-man or dog-man) blamed for attacks in Amazonian folklore, described as fierce and elusive.
Cabbyl-ushte Manx Cabyll-ushte Manx folktales Manx water-horse that lures riders to its back before drowning them; sometimes shifts to eel-like form.

Descriptions

Cerberus
Chimera
Cyclops
Charybdis
Centaur
Cockatrice
Chupacabra
Curupira
Cuca
Cuélebre
Cu Sith
Catoblepas
Caladrius
Ceryneian Hind
Chaneque
Cadejo
Camazotz
Chudo-Yudo
Cherufe
Chinthe
Ceffyl Dŵr
Clurichaun
Churel
Chonchón
Calydonian Boar
Cadborosaurus
Champ
Ciguapa
Cretan Bull
Cat Sidhe
Cirein-cròin
Camahueto
Caipora
Chamrosh
Crocotta
Canotila
Cynocephali
Cwn Annwn
Capelobo
Cabbyl-ushte
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.