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.
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 call novel – even if they’re relatively rare today.
Read on for some of the best boy names starting with C!
MOST POPULAR BOY NAMES STARTING WITH C
CARTER (#30)
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.
CHRISTOPHER (#44)
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.
CHARLES (#51)
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.
CHRISTIAN (#57)
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 (#59)
A surname name with a lot of Old West swagger.
CAMERON (#67)
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.
CONNOR (#68)
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.
COOPER (#80)
A working man’s name with a casual, cool vibe.
CARSON (#82)
A substitute for Carter, and a surname name that rose around the same time. Carson, of course, is also a Downton Abbey name.
RISING C NAMES FOR BOYS
CALLAHAN (#892)
An energetic Irish surname name that shortens to easy nickname Cal.
CAIN (#805)
A Biblical boy name with a cool sound – and implications of serious sibling rivalry.
CAIRO (#344)
Yet another place name that parents borrowed from the map.
CALLAN (#530)
A surname with Irish roots, or perhaps just a longer form of Cal.
CALLUM (#448)
Originally a Scottish name honoring Saint Columba, whose name means dove.
CAMILO (#862)
We’re wild about Camila, so why not the masculine form? Both come from ancient Latin name Camillus.
CASSIUS (#518)
The birth name of Mohammed Ali, and another favorite from the ancient world.
CASTIEL (#724)
An angel’s name, Castile was boosted by long-running series Supernatural.
COLSON (#455)
A fresh alternative to Colton, with a literary vibe thanks to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead.
COLTER (#974)
An even more energetic spin on popular Colton.
CREED (#855)
A meaning-rich name with lots of currency thanks to the character from the Rocky movies.
CREW (#339)
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.
RARE C BOY NAMES
CABLE
A word name that sounds like it could leap from the dictionary to the baby name book.
CAIO
Caio most likely comes from the Latin Gaius – rejoice, but reflects a romance language spin.
CALDWELL
Like Callahan, a surname name that shortens nicely to Cal.
CALIBER
Like Remington, it might be a firearms reference. But Caliber can also imply something of high quality.
CANDOR
An enduring virtue that sounds quite name-like.
CARDEN
A surname name with multiple possible meanings, Carden seems like a twist on Carson and company.
CASTLE
A word name that implies knights in shining armor.
CHADWICK
As in the late, legendary Chadwick Boseman.
CONAN
Once a Barbarian, now a late night television host, Conan means little wolf.
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.”
CURRAN
Another Irish surname, Curran comes with a sharp meaning: little spear.
CYRIL
Another names worn by several early saints, Cyril has never been common in the English-speaking world, but remains nicely international.
What are your favorite boy names starting with C? What would you add to the list?
Have loved Caspian since reading Cronicles of Narnia as a child, but could never use it for the same reason. Caleb and Callum are nice too. C names aren’t generally my favorites though.
I keep wishing Caspian had more of a meaning. I love the sound, though. Surely it meant something when they named the Caspian Sea, right? I keep thinking, it’s got to have some meaning!
Here’s what I found when I did some digging: The name comes from an ancient tribe living on the neighboring shores. The Greek historian Herodotus mentioned them by name in the fifth century BC. Some sources suggest it means white, but that’s far from certain. The Iranian city of Qazvin may come from the same root. You can read the post here. Wish there was more!