Even before the Kardashians became reality TV staples, K names were popular for girls. Some, like Katherine, qualify as elegant classics. Others, like Kaydence, are the inevitable outcome of several trends.
In recent years, C shows signs of life, thanks to classics like Charlotte and fast-rising variants like Caylee alike. Now that commoner Kate is about to become future queen Catherine, here are a few C names that might bear a second look.
The list of candidates for C is for Girls was considerable. Here are a few favorites:
- Callisto – She’s a nymph, she’s a moon and on television, she’s Xena’s arch nemesis. Calista Flockhart brought a variant of this name into the spotlight and into the Top 1000. (Ally McBeal debuted in 1997; in 1998, Calista entered the list at #696 and today stands at #874.) But Callisto, with the -o ending seems the fresher, more daring choice. Either way, she can use the simple nickname Callie. While Callisto occasionally appears in fiction, she has never appeared in the Top 1000.
- Cascata – I must admit that I’ve yet to meet a soul called Cascata. It would be a truly original choice for a child, but perhaps not an outlandish one. If Luna – Latin for moon – can rank #322, then why not the Italian word for waterfall? It’s an undeniably feminine sound, with the appealing nickname option Cassie. If you’re searching for a subtle nature name, this could be the perfect choice.
- Caledonia – It’s the ancient Roman, and now, a poetic name for Scotland. There are traditional ballads by the name of Caledonia; legendary blues bandleader Louis Jordan had a #1 hit in 1945 with Caldonia. It’s lengthy, but perhaps still one of the better ways to honor a parent’s Scottish heritage through a child’s name.
- Clio/Cleo/Clea – If you like the idea of a simple but distinctive given name that suits a child as well as an adult, one of these three might be for you. Clio was the Greek muse of history and historic poems. Since 1959, she’s also been the equivalent of the Oscar for excellence in advertising and design. While Cleopatra may be over the top, Cleo has possibilities, though the spells seems more likely to surface on characters like a purple poodle on the PBS animated series Clifford the Big Red Dog. Clea is a similar possibility, best known as the given name of actress Clea DuVall. There’s a comic book villain and a mollusk called Clea, but both are reasonably obscure. And speaking of obscure, none of these three have ever appeared in the Top 1000 in the US.
- Cordelia – In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Cordelia was King Lear’s youngest – and only loyal – daughter. The name’s origins are uncertain. It was once a reasonably common given name, ranking #204 in 1880. While other names from that era – like Emma, Isabella and Sarah – are as popular as ever today, Cordelia has not appeared in the Top 1000 since 1950. The name is rare, but familiar – an appealing combination. Nicknames include Cora, Cory, Cordy and Delia or Della. Want to go even clunkier? Try Ancient Rome’s Cornelia.
- Coraline – Neil Gaiman’s heroine was originally named Caroline, but the author typed it wrong – and liked his typo. It could also relate to nature name Coral. Coralie is another option.
- Consuelo – A Spanish name meaning solace, it is sometimes bestowed upon fictional Latina maids and nannies. But Consuelo has blue blood roots. Railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt, named for her half-Cuban godmother, went on to marry the Duke of Marlborough. This name would be a dramatic choice for a daughter, but since the logical nickname – Connie – feels a bit dated. There’s also virtue name Constance, which offers the option of nature nickname Tansy.
- Cassia – It’s an Eastern version of cinnamon, a 7th century saint’s name and an ancient Roman family. There’s even a Roman road called the Via Cassia. The same-sounding Kasia is a Polish nickname for Katherine, but Cassia is the stand-out choice. She has never appeared in the Top 1000 in the US.
- Cecily/Cicely – These frilly, feminine variants of Cecilia sound surprisingly current. After legendary African American actress Cicely Tyson appeared in the 1972 movie Sounder, Cicely spent two years in the Top 1000, peaking at #608 in 1974. It has since retreated to obscurity, though comedian Sandra Bernhardt chose Cicely for her daughter’s name. Northern Exposure fans will remember the show was set in Cecily, Alaska; however, the place name has not helped the popularity of this pretty version of the moniker, since Cecily has not been in the Top 1000 since 1991 – a year after the show debuted. For even bolder parents, there’s also the place name Sicily to consider – but that’s another letter entirely.
- Carys – The Welsh name meaning love has attracted more attention since Hollywood power couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones gave the name to their daughter. While she’s yet to appear in the US T0p 1000, she’d fit right in with vintage gems like Alice and more modern names, too.
- Colette – She’s literary, saintly, and has a subtle Disney tie, too. With Vivienne and other French names for girls in vogue, the spare, tailored Colette could make a comeback. For an equally frills-free name, consider Corinne.
Note: C is for Girls was originally posted on February 20, 2008 and was revised and reposted on April 29, 2011. My daughter Clio arrived on October 2, 2008 – I suspect I first got the idea for the name after writing this post!
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Ugh, I can’t stand Caprice as a name, or Capri. They’re so silly sounding, and have such an ugly meaning!
Is Charlotte too common to make the list? I also really like Calla, which is Greek for ‘beauty’ and a type of lily. Calla makes a nice give name for people who really really like the nickname Callie, but can’t come up with a more grown-up sounding name.
Charlotte is lovely, but yup, anything in the Top 200 is more or less ruled out for the Alphabet posts. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do when I get to K, that most-abused baby name letter, or Q or X or Z. Are there any unusual K names that don’t make my head want to rotate around on its neck a la the Exorcist? If you think of any, please let me know!
I also skipped Calla and Caroline and a few other worthy options so I can write a “Getting to Callie” post. It is a very appealing nickname, but as you say, needs to have a grown-up version to back it up.
I don’t know about K! Honestly, aside from my name, Kenneth, Kenna, and Kerensa, I can’t think of any K names I don’t hate. I don’t even really like Kenneth or Kenna, but I just don’t hate them, and Katherine is way too popular for the alphabet posts.
Quinn is about it for Q names for me. I guess Quinlan and Quinton aren’t bad, but they look weird to me. I like Xanthe and Ximena, but that’s it. Zoe, Zara, and Zora are the only Z names I like.
I’ve thought of Kerensa and Keziah, too. There *must* be more! As for Q and X, Y and Z, I can only imagine they will be short posts. Unless, of course, some celeb names their kids Quiver or Xylophone between now and then.
I don’t think Caprice is bad; I associate it more with carefree whimsy or even music. I thought of Celeste and Catalina right away, but I don’t know where they place.
Great suggestions. I love Clio!
When you get to the K’s, how about Keren and Keturah? (They’re both little-used biblical choices.) I also like the German Klara. There is also the obscure and literary Kilmeny (heroine of an Alfred Noyes poem and a Lucy Maud Montgomery novel).
Of course, Kilmeny does sound a bit like a command to slaughter a large number of people, so I can see why it hasn’t become too popular. I know a girl named Kestrel, after the bird. That’s not a horrible name. I also find Katya and Katrin to be good less-common Katherine alternatives.
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I have been dissappointed my whole life because all those gift shops out there have Kristen and Christine, but never Kristine! I may be a little biased, but I think that Kristine is prettier looking than Christine. But somehow, I think that the name Christina looks better than Kristina. I don’t know why, but that has always been my opinion.
Hmmm i’m not sure about that Kristine, I’m a Kristen and it was darn near impossible to find it spelled w/an EN. it was always spelled IN.
Course Kristen is my middle name. my first is Jennifer, which i abor.
C names- I love using Cs instead of Ks. there are a few names which i prefer K’s on but i like both Katerine and Catherine. i think Katerine is a bit more sporty and spunky maybe more outgoing while Catherine is very elegant, and refined, quiet but strong.
My sister has a fabulous C name. Caroline, named after our great Aunt Beatrice Caroline. Her nick-name (like our great Aunt) is Callie.
I truly wish i had been given an elegant family C name!! instead i got stuck w/the ultimate trend name Jennifer…bleck! oh well..i love Kristen. lol
oopps, i forgot to put the H in Katherine!! LOL
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I missed this post originally (I found you later in 2008) .
Cecily is a love of mine and Clementine, which you didn’t mention, both of which I’d actually use. C is absolutely a favorite letter of mine, there are 5 C names on my whole list. Only R comes close, with 3 (Rex, Rufus & Remy).I really like the letter C!
For K names, I suggest:
Girls: Karen, Keturah, Kendra, Katya, Kezia, Kestrel, Kali, Kalindi, Katniss
Boys: Kelly, Kai, Kyle, Keith, Keegan
Not sure if any of those pass the cringeworthy test?
C is one of my favorite letters, too!
I like: Charlotte, Caroline, Cassia, Cora, Christina
I love: Cordelia, Corinne/Corinna, Cecilia, Celia, Claire, Camille, Colette
For boys-Conall, Corbin, Cooper, Caleb, Colby, Caspar, Charles
For K’s:
Boys: Kade, Kyle, Kevin, Kenley, Keely, Kimball, Kelly, Kelsey, Kenneth, Kennedy, Kai, Kaige, Kassian, Kalen, Kaley, Koen, Knox, Koa, Koda, Kumar, Kyan, Kenzie, Kolan, Koby, Kash, Kiley, Kellan, Kerry, Kendall, Khaled, Kasper, Kenny, Karter, Kris, Ken, Kendrick, Kyrie, Keanu, Kiefer, Killian, Kane, Kieran,
Girls: Kayla, Katherine, Kaia, Kyla, Kristen, Keri, Kathleen, Kimara, Khadija, Kali, Kensi, Karen, Krista, Katniss, Keandra, Kaitlin, Kyra, Kimberley (I know it’s boys name but I think it’s too far gone to the girls now), Kendra (also a boy name that means son of Henry and a variation of Kendrick, but too far gone these days).
Funny how it’s actually more of a boys letter if the girls hadn’t stolen so many