Boy Names Starting with C: Carter, Conan, Creed

When it comes to boy names starting with C, the list ranges from the most classic of picks to new and original choices.

For every Charles, there’s a Colt. And for every Cameron, there’s a Callahan.

C tends to read more traditional – even when it comes to trending names. There’s a subtle, but significant, difference between Kayden and Cayden, Kannon and Cannon. That’s true, despite the fact that K is the more traditional spelling in plenty of languages.

And while K names can make a big splash for boys, C remains the fifth most popular first initial for our sons’ names, behind only J, A, L, and M.

As with so many boys’ names, surnames dominate the boy names starting with C. From the most popular C name for boys – Carter – to rarities like Caldwell – the style appeals to plenty of parents.

But it’s not all last-names-first. Bold word names range from Chase to Caliber, and favorite like Cyril can’t possibly be called novel – even if they’re relatively rare today.

Read on for some of the best boy names starting with C!

BOY NAMES STARTING WITH C IN THE US TOP 1000

CARTER (#39)

Polished and preppy Carter has eclipsed classic boy favorites to take the top spot for the most popular boy names brought to us by the letter C.

CHARLES (#50)

A series and substantial given name, Charles comes with nearly a dozen ready nicknames – including cuddly, upbeat Charlie.

CALEB (#52)

A Biblical boy name with a strong and distinctive sound, Caleb has ranked in the US Top 100 since 1989, making this a modern staple.

COOPER (#53)

A working man’s name with a casual, cool vibe.

CHRISTOPHER (#56)

From the 1960s well into the early 2000s, Christopher was the quintessential cute boy name, almost always shortened to Chris. While it’s fading in popularity today, it retains its traditional status.

CAMERON (#64)

Scottish surname Cameron ushered in an era of longer surname names for boys, but also fits with brief, one-syllable favorites from Jack to Max.

CHRISTIAN (#73)

Despite a clearly religious origin and meaning, Christian feels like an every-guy name, accessible and nicely balanced between chart-topping Christopher and trendier, two-syllable n-ending names.

COLTON (#91)

A surname name with a lot of Old West swagger.

CARSON (#110)

A substitute for Carter, and a surname name that rose around the same time. Carson, of course, is also a Downton Abbey name.

CONNOR (#118)

An Irish heritage pick, Connor’s big boost came from the immortal warrior at the center of 1986 film Highlander. But American parents have never needed much encouragement to embrace an Irish name.

CHASE (#136)

High energy surname name.

COLE (#143)

Strong, solid Cole is either an update to a forgotten English name – think of Old King Cole – or a short form of Nicholas.

CARLOS (#147)

The Spanish take on Charles, every bit as classic and enduring.

CALVIN (#148)

From designer denim to a baseball legend, Calvin dots recent decades. Today it feels like a cool, vintage revival pick.

CHARLIE (#178)

The casual take on Charles, and a white-hot unisex favorite.

CAMDEN (#187)

A place name with a current vibe, two-parts Cameron and one-part Caden.

CADEN (#223)

A concise take on so many Aiden names, Caden looks a little more like a traditional surname than Kayden.

COLT (#240)

An animal name, Colt is a little bit like Fox or Bear. But it’s also a firearm and a malt liquor, which makes this name lean a little dangerous.

CALLUM (#249)

Originally a Scottish name honoring Saint Columba, whose name means dove.

CREW (#254)

It’s a prep school sport and a gang of ruffians – but Crew’s big boost probably comes from design couple Chip and Joanna Gaines.

CASH (#263)

As in musical legend Johnny, or cold, hard cash.

COHEN (#277)

Controversial surname name.

CLAYTON (#286)

Surname name Clayton fits in perfectly with recent trends, but feels a little more traditional.

CADE (#292)

Both a surname name and a take on Caden and company.

COLIN (#293)

Originally a Nicholas nickname, polished Colin has long stood on its own.

CAYDEN (#295)

Another spelling of Caden, then one more in line with Jayden and other chart-toppers.

CODY (#302)

Early 90s sensation Cody carries a great meaning: helpful.

CAIRO (#306)

Yet another place name that parents borrowed from the map.

COLSON (#316)

A fresh alternative to Colton, Colin, and Cole, with a literary vibe thanks to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead.

CRUZ (#317)

A spiritual name – Cruz means cross in Spanish – with that edgy ‘z’ ending.

CRISTIAN (#322)

Another spelling of Christian, midway between Christian and Cristiano.

CYRUS (#326)

Ancient name borrowed from a Persian king.

CASEY (#336)

Cheerful Irish surname, back in favor lately.

CHANCE (#341)

A name that suggests fortune and fate – hopefully all good.

CESAR (#345)

A name originally borne by Roman emperor Julius Caesar, it became a title, and then a given name, too.

CALLAN (#353)

A surname with Irish roots, or perhaps just a longer form of Cal.

CLARK (#427)

Once a surname for one working as a clerk, Clark is now a little bit Gable, a whole lot Superman.

CORBIN (#428)

Corbin means raven. It makes a nicely under-the-radar choice for a son.

COLTER (#430)

An even more energetic spin on popular Colton.

CAIDEN (#438)

Speaking of Caden, yet another spelling.

CAMILO (#450)

We’re wild about Camila, so why not the masculine form? Both come from ancient Latin name Camillus.

CALLEN (#458)

Another surname name option, and a slightly different spelling of Callan.

COLLIN (#472)

Double the Ls, and Collin remains a handsome, slightly-less-expected choice.

CALLAHAN (#518)

An energetic Irish surname name that shortens to easy nickname Cal.

CASSIUS (#552)

The birth name of Muhammad Ali, and another favorite from the ancient world.

CONOR (#573)

The single-N spelling of this name remains far more popular in Ireland.

CONRAD (#574)

Germanic first name with a long history of use in the US.

CANNON (#596)

As a surname, it could refer to a wolf or a servant. In twenty-first century English, it brings to mind either the weapon, or – on a scholarly note – the body of work representing the best in a given area. Though that’s spelled canon.

COLBY (#597)

Norse-meets-English for this surname related to the word for coal, suggesting that it started out as a nickname for someone dark.

CLAY (#615)

A short form of Clayton, or noun name borrowed from the natural world.

CHAIM (#624)

A Hebrew word meaning life, with history to spare.

COREY (#633)

Most often an English surname, Corey surged in popularity in the 1960s. Also spelled Cory, it’s now graduated to dad name status.

CONNER (#635)

An alternative take on Connor.

CHANDLER (#640)

An occupational surname, Chandler originally referred to a candlemaker. In more recent decades, it’s all about Friends. 

CASE (#645)

Casual and current, Case updates former favorite Casey by dropped a syllable.

CREED (#651)

A meaning-rich name with lots of currency thanks to the character from the Rocky movies.

CHRIS (#671)

A short form of Christopher or Christian.

CAYSON (#684)

Jason, Mason, why not Cason and Cayson? It coincides with an actual English surname and place name, too.

CLYDE (#688)

A formerly fusty Scottish river name, now edgy and cool.

CARMELO (#700)

A spiritual romance language name made famous by Carmelo Anthony.

CASPIAN (#723)

The name of an inland sea, Caspian became more name-like thanks to author CS Lewis. Today it fits right in with Julian and Adrian.

CILLIAN (#736)

The name of a medieval Irish saint, it’s more popular in English when spelled Killian.

CAL (#747)

A short name for at least a dozen choices on this list.

CASON (#785)

A sparer spelling of Cayson.

CASEN (#790)

Yet one more Cayson/Casen option.

CALUM (#813)

Callum with a single L.

CASTIEL (#824)

An angel’s name, CastIel was boosted by long-running series Supernatural.

CURTIS (#825)

A traditonal favorite with a lovely meaning: courteous.

CRUE (#868)

Another spelling for Crew, a little less Ivy League and slightly more Motley.

CHOSEN (#898)

A meaning-rich word name possibility that sounds like so many current favorites for boys.

CULLEN (#908)

A surname name with several possible origins, including Irish … and Twilight.

CAIN (#916)

A Biblical boy name with a cool sound – and implications of serious sibling rivalry.

COLTEN (#920)

Colten with an E.

CASSIAN (#933)

A Roman family name related to Cassius – as in Muhammad Ali – as well as the given name of Star Wars universe hero Cassian Andor.

COLESON (#951)

Colson is more popular, but Coleson is also trending.

CANAAN (#957)

An Old Testament name made famous by an Oprah Winfrey interview.

CEDRIC (#958)

A Sir Walter Scott invention for Ivanhoe in 1819, made famous by Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory nearly two centuries later.

CARTIER (#978)

Luxury brand-inspired surname that’s close to the popular Carter.

RARE C BOY NAMES

CABLE

A word name that sounds like it could leap from the dictionary to the baby name book.

CADOGAN

A name from Welsh legend with a ferocious meaning: glory in battle.

CAELAN

An Irish import, sometimes Anglicized as Keelan.

CAIO, CAYO

Caio most likely comes from the Latin Gaius – rejoice, but reflects a romance language spin.

CAIUS

Caio’s cousin.

CAJETAN, CAYETANO

Saint Gaetano lived in the sixteenth century, but his name’s roots trace back the Latin Caietanus, meaning from Caita. The coastal town has been a resort destination for millennia; it’s now known as Gaeta. As for the names, the first is English; the latter, Spanish.

CALDER

A surname name that brings to mind ice hockey and modern art.

CALDWELL

Like Callahan, a surname name that shortens nicely to Cal.

CALIBER

It might be a firearms reference. But Caliber can also imply something of high quality.

CAM

A short name for the modern favorite Cameron, but possibly an alternative to Max and Gus, too.

CAMPBELL

A nicely Scottish surname that’s just a little different.

CAMPION

Sometimes given in honor of St. Edmund Campion, this name comes from the French word for champion.

CANDOR

An enduring virtue that sounds quite name-like.

CANYON

A nature name with a nicely on-trend sound.

CARADOC

A name that dots Welsh history and legend, and also appears in some tales of King Arthur as one of his Knights of the Round Table.

CARDEN

A surname name with multiple possible meanings, Carden seems like a twist on Carson and company.

CARL

The original form of Charles, now used mainly in German.

CARLISLE

A surname borrowed from an English city, Carlisle could also be spelled Carlyle, among other, more phonetic, possibilities.

CARLO

An Italian take on Charles, with that spirited O ending.

CARRICK

A Scottish place name meaning rocky.

CARVER

There’s something potentially aggressive about Carver, but we do love those middle V names.

CARY

Cary Grant makes it dashing; so does Cary Elwes. Despite this name’s status as an Irish surname import, Americans tend to hear it as a Caroline nickname. But in our age of Rory, ti could be time for Cary’s comeback for our sons.

CASIMIR

Traditional Slavic favorite, worn by four kings of Poland. It’s often spelled with a K and a Z, but Casimir is the blends-in English equivalent.

CASSANDER

Alexander is a classic favorite, and Evander is on the rise. Could Cassander – the overlooked masculine form of Cassandra – have a moment, too?

CASPER

A classic with centuries of use throughout Europe, Casper – and Caspar – have languished in the US, possibly thanks to the comic book ghost. Their cousin Jasper, on the other hand, is a fast favorite.

CASTLE

A word name that implies knights in shining armor.

CASTOR

The constellation Gemini features twin brothers – Castor and Pollux.

CATO

Borrowed from an ancient Roman philosopher. Appropriately enough, Cato means “wise.”

CAVAN

An Irish import far less familiar than Kevin.

CECIL

A polished, gentlemanly name, Cecil belonged to a third century saint. It’s eclipsed by feminine form Cecilia today, but could appeal to parents after something vaguely British.

CHAD

An Old English name that trended in the 1960s, today it’s easy to dismiss Chad as a stereotype. (Credit to Saturday Night Live, particularly the character played by Pete Davidson.) But it has history to spare, and it will surely return around the same time Todd and Scott return.

CHADWICK

As in the late, legendary Chadwick Boseman.

CHESTER

A vintage surname name, big in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, complete with jazzy nickname Chet.

CIAN

Borrowed from Irish myth, Cian comes with a great meaning: enduring.

CLANCY

Another Irish surname name with a buttoned-up style and a ferocious meaning: red warrior.

CLARENCE

Gentle Clarence started out as a name – and title – in the British royal family. (There’s no Duke of Clarence at present, but royal watchers may recognize Clarence House as a royal residence in London.) Americans might think of it as the angel’s name in Christmas movie classic It’s a Wonderful Life.

CLAUDE

The French form of ancient Claudius, a classic thanks to notables like Claude Monet and Claude Debussy, as well as actor Claude Rains.

CLAYNE

Clay meets Wayne in this unusual name worn by actor Clayne Crawford. (He was born Joseph; the name in, in part, an homage to his hometown of Clay, Alabama.)

CLEMENT

Clement means gentle, and was used by saints and popes over the years. We’re wild about feminine form Clementine, but among baby boy names, Clement remains underused.

CLEON

One of many names derived from the Greek word for glory – kleos.

CLIFF

A nature name, possibly short for longer choices like Clifford and Clifton, or maybe strongest on its own.

CLIVE

A typically British name, Clive shares Cliff’s meaning and origins.

COBY

Originally a Jacob nickname, and now another spelling of the late, great Kobe Bryant’s name.

COLLIER

An occupational surname, often for someone who mined or sold coal.

COLM

An Irish name, ultimately derived from the Latin columba – dove.

CONALL

A name from Irish legend, derived from the Irish word for wolf.

CONAN

Once a Barbarian, now a late night television host, Conan means little wolf.

CONLAN

A cousin to surnames Connell and Connelly.

CONSTANTINE

A grand and ancient name with a virtuous meaning: steadfast.

CORDELL

Originally a last name given to one who sells rope – or cord.

CORDERO

From a Spanish surname meaning “lamb.” Nickname Cord is a bonus.

CORIN

Probably borrowed from the Sabine (and later Roman) god Quirinus, ultimately from their word for spear.

CORMAC

Another upbeat import from Irish legend.

CORNELIUS

A Roman family name, and later a New Testament one, too. Americans might think of ninteenth century business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.

CORTLAND

A surname name with a gentlemanly vibe.

COSMO

A space-aged o-ender associated with the storied Medici family … and Seinfeld. 

COY

A Southern-fried mini name that means shy.

CRAIG

A favorite from the 1960s, Craig refers to a rocky outcrop.

CRISPIN

An ancient saint’s name, Saint Crispin’s Day was immortalized in a speech given by Henry V in Shakespeare’s play. Don’t recognize it? It’s the source of the phrase “band of brothers.”

CROSBY

A surname name mixing athleticism – think Sidney Crosby – with twenty-century musical cred – think both Bing and David.

CURRAN

Another Irish surname, Curran comes with a sharp meaning: little spear.

CUTHBERT

A seriously old school English name, worn by a sixth-century saint.

CYPRIAN

A Roman family name – and saintly one – related to the island of Cyprus.

CYRIL

Another names worn by several early saints, Cyril has never been common in the English-speaking world, but remains nicely international.

CZAR

Also spelled Tsar, this title once used for Russian rulers comes from the ancient Caesar.

What are your favorite boy names starting with C?

First published on November 16, 2020, this post was revised and re-published on August 2, 2021, October 31, 2022, and again on July 3, 2023.