Girl Names Starting with C: Cool Collins to Rare Cosima

Let’s look at the girl names starting with C – from the most popular choices, to the ones that might be new to you.

C is for classic. While C girl names rise and fall, relatively few feel trendy or fleeting. They’re solid citizens, from the chart-toppers to the overlooked.

Of course, many C names can be spelled with K, too. That’s true for evergreen favorites like Katherine, as well as names like Khloe and Korra. The C-to-K swap is only one letter, but it can change the entire style of a name. And it means that many C girl names actually feel much more popular, thanks to a K cousin elsewhere on the popularity charts.

Of course, C names are big in their own right. As of 2024, it’s the sixth most popular first initial for girls’ names.

From stylish surnames to modern word choices, there’s a girl name starting with C for nearly every namer.

MOST POPULAR GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH C

CHARLOTTE (#4)

The littlest princess answers to a classic name, one that already ranked in the US Top Ten by the time she was born. It’s traditional, tailored, and nicely feminine.

CAMILA (#11)

Speaking of royalty, singer Camila Cabello went from a member of Fifth Harmony to a household name in just a few years. She brought her Spanish-English crossover name along for the ride.

CHLOE (#20)

Along with Zoe, Chloe soared up the US popularity charts in the 90s, paving the way for Penelope. Call it a modern classic.

CLAIRE (#67)

Spare and simple, but rich in meaning, Claire shines. The ‘i’ spelling is French. Earlier generations favored the more traditionally English (and Irish) Clare.

CLARA (#78)

The Latin form of Claire, Clara headlined Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, saved lives as a pioneering nurse, and became of the very first Hollywood icons.

CAROLINE (#92)

Like Charlotte, Caroline developed as a feminine form of Charles, via the Latin Carolus. But while Charlotte tops the charts, Caroline hovers just beyond the spotlight, traditional but slightly less common.

CORA (#102)

Nora’s rhyming sister, Cora went from sometimes-heard to everywhere, thanks to the Countess of Grantham, the kind-hearted Cora of Downton Abbey. While it has several possible origins, the most frequently cited is Greek, meaning maiden.

CECILIA (#123)

Long and lovely Cecilia fits with so many favorites, like Amelia and Olivia. It might appeal for another reason: Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians.

CATALINA (#128)

Classic Katherine has staying power, and we’ve been wild about Katherine names like Kaitlyn, too. Catalina, the Spanish form of the name, sounds like a sister for Isabella, an alternative to Camila.

CHARLIE (#140)

Boy names on girls stir up controversy galore, but Charlie started out as a nickname for Charlotte. Like Ellie, Millie, or Hattie, it stands on its own today.

CALLIE (#176)

Sometimes short for Caroline, Callie stands on its own today. It’s fresher than Kelly, not quite as retro as Millie or Hattie.

CELESTE (#198)

Elegant, ethereal Celeste is instantly familiar, a name that bridges night sky favorites like Luna and classics like Marie.

CELINE (#227)

Sleek and sophisticated, this French name brings to mind singer Celine Dion. It’s ultimately of Latin origin, related to the word for heaven, though you might also think of Selene, from the Greek word for moon.

CATALEYA (#236)

The cattleya is an orchid. It morphed into Cataleya as a given name, and rose in use following Zoe Saldana’s turn as Cataleya in 2011 movie Colombiana.

CAMILLE (#239)

The French form of Camila, Camille feels just different enough. As tailored as Madeline, Camille is a compact, sophisticated option for a daughter.

COLLINS (#257)

Colin caught on in the 90s for our boys, but Collins leans feminine. First boosted by true story turned 2009 movie The Blind Side, the name has long since moved beyond Hollywood.

CATHERINE (#320)

While the K version of this name is more popular today, Catherine has been on top in the past – and it remains a strong, enduring choice for a daughter.

CAMILLA (#324)

Camila is the fast-rising favorite, leaving the double-L spelling much farther back in the rankings. This is spelling used by the current Queen of England, the former Camilla Parker-Bowles.

CHARLEE (#398)

The first of several Charlee spellings parents use for their daughters.

COLETTE (#400)

We all recognize tailored, vaguely French Colette – even though few of us are using it.

CARMEN (#416)

The fiery and ill-fated heroine of Bizet’s opera Carmen, the name couldn’t fit better. It means song.

CAROLINA (#428)

Carolina feels like a romance language spin on Caroline, and it is. But it’s also a place name that might appeal to anyone with roots in the Tar Heel or Palmetto states.

CAMRYN (#454)

A feminine take on classic surname name Cameron.

CASSIDY (#476)

An Irish surname name, Cassidy caught on for girls in the 1990s, along with similar three-syllable names like Courtney and Brittany.

CLEMENTINE (#477)

Oh my darling, this sweet name means gentle. It’s the feminine form of Clement, now far more popular than masculine equivalent.

CAMERON (#485)

Cameron is far more popular for boys; but we still hear plenty of Cameron – and Camryn – for girls, too.

CALI (#495)

It’s likely just a slimmed-down spelling of Callie, but Cali also looks like a short form of California – and is sometimes used that way, too.

CALLIOPE (#499)

A musical name in the key of Penelope, Calliope is rising in use quickly.

CARTER (#507)

A favorite for our sons, in use for girls, too. One possible influence: Beyonce’s genre-defying 2024 album Cowboy Carter.

CHARLI (#524)

One more way to spell Charlie, also rising in the rankings.

CECELIA (#568)

Another spelling option for Cecilia, this one more clearly shortening to nickname Cece.

CAPRI (#572)

A place name of Italian origin, Capri is known for its natural beauty.

CHAYA (#599)

A Hebrew name with a pan-global vibe, Chaya offers a great meaning: life.

CLEO (#603)

Recently returned to the US Top 1000, Cleo combines the mystique of the ancient Egyptian queen with a cool, modern sound.

CASSANDRA (#613)

Cassandra was big in the 1980s, but not Jessica-Amanda big. That means it fits with overlooked girl names beginning with C, rather than dated mom names beginning with the letter. Plus, Cassie is a sparky and timeless nickname choice.

CLOVER (#618)

Lucky Clover sounds upbeat and might honor family ties to Ireland. It’s a relatively recent arrival in the US Top 1000.

CHANA (#673)

Hebrew form of Hannah.

CHRISTINA (#704)

It’s a little bit of a mom name today, but this feminine form of Christopher ought to be considered a classic.

CORALINE (#720)

A rare French name, Coraline’s boost came from the book – and especially the movie based on it.

CHARLEY (#729)

Tally up all of the Charlie spellings, and this name is more popular than it initially appears.

CELIA (#734)

While Celia claims separate roots from Cecilia, the names feel almost interchangeable.

CHARLEIGH (#763)

Yet another spelling of Charlie!

CHELSEA (#784)

A place name associated with neighborhoods in London and New York, Chelsea peaked in the 1990s, way before Brooklyn.

CIELO (#809)

The Spanish word for sky – or heaven. A logical successor to Luna.

CYNTHIA (#826)

Cindy is stuck sharing a room with Jan and Marcia, but Cynthia? In our age of Olivia and Sienna and Thea, it sounds like it could fit right in. Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has given the name a boost.

CHEYENNE (#867)

Inspired by the name of a Native American tribe.

CARLY (#873)

Short for Carla or Caroline – or maybe even Charlotte – there’s something about Carly. While it peaked in the 1990s, it fits in with surname-style names like Riley.

CHANDLER (#895)

A surname name associated with candlemakers … and Friends.

CATTLEYA (#905)

Cataleya is (much) more popular as a given name, but the tropical orchid genus is named Cattleya, making this a rising floral favorite.

CLARE (#949)

Traditionally considered the English spelling, even though French Claire is far more popular in the US.

CAMPBELL (#951)

Journalist Campbell Brown boosted her unusual name during her time at NBC and CNN. What’s not to love about this mix of Camila and Isabelle, with a hint of Harper, too?

CELINA (#969)

A mix of Celine and Selena, borrowing the appeal of both.

UNEXPECTED C NAMES FOR GIRLS

CADENCE

A musical possibility, Cadence felt like an update for Catherine. Fun fact: it surged in use following 2003’s American Wedding, featuring a young January Jones as the sister of the bride. Kaydence and Kadence used to rank in the US Top 1000, but all of the spellings have left the charts.

CADY

A surname name inspired by activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

CAIRO

A place name more popular for boys, but every bit as wearable for our daughters.

CAITLIN

Long before Kaitlyn topped the charts, this was the preferred spelling of this Irish import.

CALANDRA

Borrowed from the bird – a type of lark – and a sometimes Italian surname, possibly originally given to someone known for their singing voice.

CALANTHE

An unexpected option in the key of Penelope, with a great meaning: beautiful flower. The elaboration Calanthia is another option.

CALENDONIA

From a poetic name for Scotland.

CALICO

Along with Velvet, Lace, and Dimity, a fabric name that might just work.

CALISTA

Actor Calista Flockhart briefly boosted her name, but it’s mostly overlooked now. It comes from the Greek, meaning most beautiful.

CALLA

A type of Lily, and a -lla name in the key of Stella.

CALLIRRHOE

Borrowed from Greek myth. The spelling doesn’t necessarily lead to the correct pronunciation – it’s something like cah-leer-OH-EE, but looks almost like a double name: Callie Roe.

CALYPSO

Another mythological name, and a musical one, too.

CAMBRIA

A poetic name for Wales.

CAMELLIA

Flower name that feels like a twist on chart-topping Camila.

CAMEO

Inspired by the jewelry.

CANDELARIA

From the Spanish word for candle, commemorating the feast day, Candlemas.

CAPUCINE

A flower name imported from France. It reads a little caffeinated in English, but wears better than the flower’s English name, nasturtium.

CARA

A long-time favorite, Cara is out of the rankings now. Credit for a brief revival might go to The Mandalorian’s Cara Dune. (In the character’s case, it’s short for Carasynthia.)

CARABELLA

An Italian double name meaning dear and beautiful.

CARAMIA

From the Italian phrase “my beloved.” Fans of The Addams Family know it’s the nickname Gomez uses for Morticia; it turns out that Caramia debuted in the US data during the show’s original run, in 1966.

CARICE

Carice might come from the Greek charis, meaning grace. But it’s also – at least sometimes – a contraction of Caroline Alice. Dutch actress Carice van Houten has made her distinctive name more popular in the Netherlands, and elsewhere in the world, too.

CARIDAD

The Spanish equivalent of Charity.

CARINE, CARINA

A name with multiple meanings, from beloved to pure to a ship’s keel. Carine might also be a Caroline-Irene smoosh.

CARLA

Before there was Charlotte, Carla was a feminine form of Charles – and a Top 100 favorite during the 1960s.

CARLOTTA

Classic Charles started out as Germanic Karl, with Karla as the feminine form. Vintage and unexpected Carlotta is an Italian take on Karla, energetic and high-stepping.

CARMEL

A name with Hebrew origins, Carmel looks a little like sweet caramel, but it means garden.

CARYS

A Welsh name meaning beloved.

CASCADE, CASCATA

Possible rare nature name inspired by waterfalls. Cascata is the rather name-like Italian translation.

CASEY

A unisex surname name, Casey can also be re-spelled Kaycie, Kaycee, and so on. For boys, Yellowstone-inspired Kayce is enjoying a burst of popularity.

CASILDA

While the origin is debated, Casilda’s roots run deep. An eleventh century patron saint of Toledo, Spain answered to the name.

CASIPHIA

Cassandra meets Sophia in this shining, rare name.

CASSIA

From a type of tree, known as a source of cinnamon.

CASSIOPEIA

An elaborate, dramatic name from Greek myth.

CATE

Kate is a familiar classic. So is Catherine. But Cate is all Cate Blanchett, a sophisticated and unexpected take on the beloved name.

CATERINA, CATRINA

Another form of Catherine used in many European languages.

CECILY

Lacy, elaborate Cecily was a medieval English take on Cecilia. It remains relatively rare today – as does the tailored, French Cecile.

CERES

The Roman goddess of agriculture, and a goddess name still undiscovered by modern parents.

CERISE

The French word for cherry, Cerise feels more like a color name in English.

CEZANNE

Borrowed from the surname of the famous French painter.

CHANDRA

A name with Sanskrit roots, Chandra means “shining moon.”

CHANEL

A surname made famous by a designer, Chanel’s recent use might have more to do with a handful of reality stars and other celebrities by the name.

CHANTAL

A French surname associated with a saint, as well as the word chant – song.

CHARIS

From the Greek word for grace. In myth, the Graces – or Charites – were goddess in charge of all things related to beauty and charm.

CHARISMA

A word meaning charm and personal magnetism, Charisma is the source of slang term “rizz.” Actress Charisma Carpenter was named for an Avon perfume

CHARITY

A virtue name with a sepia-toned, antique appeal.

CHARLIZE

A South African feminine form of Charles, made famous by actor Charlize Theron.

CHARMIAN

A rare name from the Greek word for delight.

CHERYL

A whole cluster of names contributed to the popularity of this twentieth century innovation. It’s likely derived from the French cherie – darling, but it also looks something like Charlotte and so many Charles names, as well as other girls’ names ending with L.

CHIARA

A name of Italian origin, Chiara is the original form of Claire.

CIARA

It’s easy to mix up Chiara and Ciara – and Keira and Sierra, too. But Ciara comes from Irish origin, and means dark.

CITLALI

Originally from an Aztec name meaning star, Citlali is most popular with Mexican-American parents.

CIRCE

Another rare find from Greek myth, more wearable thanks to the success of Chloe and company.

CLARICE

A Claire elaboration that might still bring to mind Silence of the Lambs, but has plenty of potential nonetheless. Lots of other Claire names could fit on this list, too.

CLARINDA

A Clare elaboration.

CLARISSA

Elaborate, even frilly, Clarissa is Claire in a ball gown. It peaked in the 90s, at the height of Melissa Joan Hart’s Clarissa Explains it All on Nickelodeon. But it never rose so high that it wouldn’t still work years later.

CLARITY

A modern virtue name connected to classic Claire.

CLAUDIA

An ancient name, Claudia feels strong and determined – qualities we prize in our daughters. Claudette is another Claud- possibility.

CLEA

A Greek name meaning glory, cousin to Cleo.

CLEMENCE

Elegant French name meaning mercy.

CLOTILDE, CLOTHILDE

An old school Germanic name by way of French. Also spelled Clothilde, Clotilda, and Clothilda.

CLYTIE

Another Greek possibility, Clytie means famous or noble. The original Clytie was an ocean nymph; the name has been well-used in literarture since then, but only rarely for real girls.

COCO

A sparky French nickname-name that now stands on its own.

COLLEEN

Once a favorite with Irish-American families, Colleen means girl.

CONSTANCE

A strong and traditional name, Constance fits with virtuous Grace, but also vintage Charlotte.

CONSUELO

A Spanish name taking from a title of the Virgin Mary – Our Lady of Consolation. Gilded Age heiress and socialite Consuelo Vanderbilt lends the name some vintage glam.

CONTESSA

An Italian title, Contessa shortens to Tess, which makes it far more accessible than, say, Margravine.

CORALIE

The French form of Coralia, an all-but forgotten Greek origin name, Coralie seems like a substitute for Rosalie.

CORAZON

From the Spanish word for heart.

CORDELIA

Lear’s loyal daughter, and an antique name long overlooked.

CORINNA, CORINNE

Cousins to Cora.

CORINTHIA

A name related to the ancient place name Corinth, used in a William Faulkner novel.

CORISANDE

An obscure, but lovely, name from a Spanish medieval legend.

CORLISS

Tailored and unexpected, with an upbeat meaning: cheerful.

CORNELIA

An ancient Roman name with plenty of potential.

COSETTE

A sweet nickname turned given name, thanks to Les Misérables. 

COSIMA

A feminine form of Cosmo, with the same meaning: universal.

CRESCENT

As in the shape, and also a reference to the moon.

CRESSIDA

Another ancient name, this time made familiar by Shakespeare.

CRYSTAL

Part of the Christina-Kristin block of names from an earlier generation, today Crystal fits right in with Ruby and other word name possibilities.

What are your favorite girl names starting with C? 

First published on June 15, 2020, this post was revised and updated on June 28, 2021; June 13, 2022; June 18, 2023; May 22, 2024; and June 4, 2025.