AHEAD: The ultimate list of C names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter C, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up a variety of boy names that start with C ranging from trendy to traditional and long to short.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
As you’ll see, there are plenty of great choices. Not only are there 77 “C” names ranking in the top 1000, but there are a whole bunch of others that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter C.
Related: Girl Names Starting with C
Table of Contents
- POPULAR “C” NAMES
- SHORT “C” NAMES
- COOL “C” NAMES
- TIMELESS “C” NAMES
- OLD-FASHIONED “C” NAMES
- UNIQUE “C” NAMES
- SPANISH “C” NAMES
Popular boy names that start with C
Kicking off our list of “C” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 500.
Cade
- Name meaning: Barrel.
- Popularity: #376
Caden or Cayden or Caiden
- Name meaning: Battle.
- Popularity: Caden ranks #242, Cayden is #266, and Caiden is #381.
Cairo
- Name meaning: Victorious. The capital of Egypt.
- Popularity: #346
Caleb
- Name meaning: Devotion.
- Popularity: #56
Callan or Callen
- Name meaning: Descendant of Cathalán.
- Popularity: Callan ranks #432 and Callen is #531.
Callum or Calum
- Name meaning: Dove.
- Popularity: Callum ranks #335 and Calum is #922.
Camden
- Name meaning: Winding valley.
- Popularity: #167
Cameron
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- Popularity: #64
Carter
- Name meaning: Transporter of goods.
- Popularity: #33
Related: Middle Names for Carter
Cash
- Name meaning: Money. Short for Cassius, meaning empty or vain.
- Popularity: #265
Cassius
- Name meaning: Might mean empty or vain.
- Popularity: #488
Cesar
- Name meaning: Head of hair.
- Popularity: #371
Chance
- Name meaning: Gamble.
- Popularity: #286
Chase
- Name meaning: To hunt.
- Popularity: #123
Cody
- Name meaning: Helpful.
- Popularity: #297
Cohen or Coen
- Name meaning: Priest.
- Popularity: Cohen ranks #282 and Coen is #940.
Cole
- Name meaning: Charcoal.
- Popularity: #131
Colson or Colsen
- Name meaning: Son of Cole or Nicholas.
- Popularity: Colson ranks #350 and Colsen isn’t ranking.
Colt
- Name meaning: Young horse.
- Popularity: #221
Colton or Colten
- Name meaning: From the coal town. (This name reminds me of the controversial bachelor).
- Popularity: Colton ranks #66 and Colten is #756.
Cooper
- Name meaning: Wood repairer. One who makes wooden barrels.
- Popularity: #74
Corbin or Corben
- Name meaning: Crow.
- Popularity: Corbin ranks #347 and Corben isn’t ranking.
Crew or Crue
- Name meaning: Group.
- Popularity: Crew ranks #283 and Crue isn’t ranking.
Cruz
- Name meaning: Cross.
- Popularity: #303
Cyrus
- Name meaning: Sun.
- Popularity: #369
If you like these trendy boy names that start with C, you might also like this list of southern names.
Short “C” names
These “C” boy names are mini, just like your little boy. They’re only 4 or 5 letters.
Cain
- Name meaning: Possessed or produced. A biblical figure.
- Popularity: #886
Casey or Case
- Name meaning: Vigilant or brave.
- Popularity: Casey ranks #521 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2019. Case ranks #572.
Chad
- Name meaning: Warrior or battle leader.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2018.
Chaz
- Name meaning: Short for Charles, meaning free man.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2009.
Chevy
- Name meaning: Short for Chevalier, which means horseman.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2016.
Chuck
- Name meaning: Short for Charles, meaning free person.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clay
- Name meaning: Sticky fine-grained earth. (Short for Clayton meaning town with good clay.)
- Popularity: #644
Cliff
- Name meaning: A steep rock face.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clive
- Name meaning: Cliff or slope.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clyde
- Name meaning: Warm. A river in Scotland.
- Popularity: #716
Colby
- Name meaning: From a coal town.
- Popularity: #617
Conan
- Name meaning: Little wolf.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Corey or Cory
- Name meaning: In a hollow. (A hollow is a narrow area of low land between mountains).
- Popularity: Corey ranks #525 and Cory is #907.
Cove
- Name meaning: A sheltered bay.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for either gender.
Craig
- Name meaning: Rock.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2017.
Creed
- Name meaning: Set of beliefs. (This name reminds me of The Office)
- Popularity: #796
Cyan
- Name meaning: A greenish-blue color.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cylas
- Name meaning: Spelling variation of Silas, meaning forest.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these short boy names that start with C you’ll also like this huge list of short names.
Cool and unusual “C” names
These C names for boys are cool but not overused.
Calix or Calyx
- Name meaning: Husk or pod.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this C name is ranking.
Cannon
- Name meaning: Artillery.
- Popularity: #543
Canyon
- Name meaning: A gorge (usually with a river flowing through).
- Popularity: This unique boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Carden
- Name meaning: Wood carder (one who prepares fibers for processing).
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cason or Cayson or Casen
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: Cason ranks #662, Cayson is #712, and Casen isn’t ranking.
Cedar
- Name meaning: Large fast-growing evergreen tree.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Champ
- Name meaning: Winner.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Chasen
- Name meaning: Hunter.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Ciro
- Name meaning: Italian version of Cyrus, meaning sun.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clifton
- Name meaning: Town on a cliff.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2003.
Colston
- Name meaning: From the coal town.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Colter
- Name meaning: One who looks after horses.
- Popularity: #972
Corbett
- Name meaning: Raven.
- Popularity: This boys’ bird name isn’t ranking.
Cordell
- Name meaning: Maker of rope.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2008.
Cornell
- Name meaning: Horn.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Corwin
- Name meaning: Friend of the heart.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cosmo
- Name meaning: Relating to the world or universe.
- Popularity: This space name isn’t ranking.
Croix
- Name meaning: Cross.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Crown
- Name meaning: Ornamental headdress worn by royalty.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cutler
- Name meaning: Maker of knives. (This name reminds me of the football player).
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these cool and unusual boy names that start with C you’ll also like this list of edgy names.
Timeless “C” names
These boy names starting with C have been popular forever and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!
Calvin or Cal
- Name meaning: Bald.
- Popularity: Calvin ranks #143 and Cal is #936.
Carson
- Name meaning: Son of marsh dwellers.
- Popularity: #84
Charles or Charlie
- Name meaning: Free person.
- Popularity: Charles ranks #46 and Charlie is #204.
Christian or Cristian
- Name meaning: Follower of Christ.
- Popularity: Christian ranks #62 and Cristian is #331.
Christopher or Chris
- Name meaning: Bearer or Christ.
- Popularity: Christopher ranks #47 and Chris is #674.
Clark
- Name meaning: Clerk, scribe, or scholar.
- Popularity: #390
Clayton
- Name meaning: Town with good clay.
- Popularity: #288
Colin or Collin
- Name meaning: Cub (baby animal) or victory of the people.
- Popularity: Colin ranks #285 and Collin is #464.
Connor
- Name meaning: Lover of hounds.
- Popularity: Connor ranks #78, Conor is #402, and Conner is #439.
If you like these timeless boy names that start with C you’ll also like this list of 2-syllable names.
Old-fashioned “C” names
These vintage “C” boy names bring back the magic of another era.
Related: Vintage Girl Names
Carl
- Name meaning: German version of Charles, meaning free person.
- Popularity: #816
Carlisle
- Name meaning: Fort.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Carlton or Carleton
- Name meaning: Town of free men.
- Popularity: Carlton last ranked in 2005.
Caspian
- Name meaning: The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water.
- Popularity: #764
Chadwick
- Name meaning: Town of Chad.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Chandler
- Name meaning: Candle maker. (This name will always remind everyone of Friends).
- Popularity: #569
Charlton
- Name meaning: Town of free men.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Chauncey
- Name meaning: Chancellor or gamble.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Chester
- Name meaning: Camp or fortress.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clarence
- Name meaning: Bright.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2010.
Claude
- Name meaning: Limping.
- Popularity: This French boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clement or Clemente
- Name meaning: Mild and merciful.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this name is ranking.
Clifford
- Name meaning: River crossing by a cliff.
- Popularity: This C name last ranked in 2005.
Clovis
- Name meaning: Famous warrior.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Conrad
- Name meaning: Bold counsel.
- Popularity: #548
Constantine
- Name meaning: Constant or steadfast. (Was a Roman emperor and the name of several Scottish kings).
- Popularity: This royal boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cornelius
- Name meaning: Horn.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2008.
Curtis
- Name meaning: Polite.
- Popularity: #701
If you like these old-fashioned boy names that start with C you may also like this list of 3-syllable names.
Unique “C” names
Here are some ‘off the beaten path’ boy names with C as the first letter.
Caius
- Name meaning: Rejoice.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Calder
- Name meaning: Rough waters.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Calloway or Callaway
- Name meaning: Place of pebbles.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Calton
- Name meaning: Calf settlement.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Canaan
- Name meaning: A historical and biblical region in Palestine.
- Popularity: #950
Carlsen or Carlson
- Name meaning: Son of Carl.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Carsten
- Name meaning: Christian.
- Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Castiel
- Name meaning: My cover is God or shield of God.
- Popularity: #893
Castor
- Name meaning: Possible meanings include to excel, to shine, or beaver. In Greek mythology Castor is a son of Zeus. Castor is a star in the constellation Gemini.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Chaim
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: #697
Cleveland
- Name meaning: Land of cliffs. A major city in Ohio. A U.S. president.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Clinton
- Name meaning: Fenced settlement.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2014.
Coleson
- Name meaning: Son of Nicholas.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Copeland
- Name meaning: Purchased land.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Corvus
- Name meaning: Raven.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Courtland
- Name meaning: Short land.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Crimson
- Name meaning: Dark red.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cristiano
- Name meaning: Italian and Portuguese version of Christian.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2018.
Cyprian
- Name meaning: Person of Cyprus.
- Popularity: This Greek boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these unique boy names that start with C you’ll also like this list of hippie names.
Irish and Scottish “C” names
All of these boys’ C names are of Irish or Scottish origin.
Related: Irish + Scottish Girl Names
Callahan
- Name meaning: Bright-headed or lover of churches.
- Popularity: #798
Cambridge
- Name meaning: A city near Boston and also in England.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Campbell
- Name meaning: Crooked mouth.
- Popularity: Campbell last ranked for boys in 2005 and for girls in 2013.
Carlin
- Name meaning: Little champion.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Carrington
- Name meaning: A place in the UK.
- Popularity: This nonbinary name isn’t ranking for either gender.
Cedric
- Name meaning: Love one. War chief.
- Popularity: #969
Channing
- Name meaning: Young wolf or church official.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2017.
Cillian
- Name meaning: Might mean bright-headed, little church, strife, or war.
- Popularity: #964
Clancy
- Name meaning: Son of the red warrior.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Coleman
- Name meaning: Burner of charcoal.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2018.
Conway
- Name meaning: Might mean chief of the water.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Crosby
- Name meaning: Settlement with crosses.
- Popularity: #801
Cullen
- Name meaning: Holly tree. (This name makes me think of Twilight).
- Popularity: #684
Curran
- Name meaning: An Irish surname.
- Popularity: #543
If you like these Irish and Scottish boy names that start with C you’ll also like this complete list of male Irish baby names or this list of names for rainbow babies.
Spanish “C” names
All of these C boy names are of Spanish origin.
Camilo
- Name meaning: Religious servant.
- Popularity: #876
Carlos
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Charles, meaning free person.
- Popularity: #149
Carmelo
- Name meaning: Garden. Carmel is a scenic beach city in Northern California. It’s also a mountain ridge in Israel that’s mentioned in the Old Testament.
- Popularity: #719
Cinco
- Name meaning: Five.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cordero
- Name meaning: Young lamb.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Cortez
- Name meaning: Courteous.
- Popularity: This name hasn’t ranked since 2013.
Coyote
- Name meaning: A canine similar to a wolf.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these Spanish boy names that start with C you might also like this list of one-syllable names.
More baby names for boys:
- 113 Two Syllable Boy Names for Modern Little Dudes
- 115+ Absolutely Awesome Boy Names that Start with A
- 125+ Incredible Boy Names that Start with B
Final thoughts on “C” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, unusual, or timeless, all of these boys’ names that start with C are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
