Dog Names That Start With C

One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties -- and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? -- now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.

Cirrus is a type of cloud formation characterized by thin, wispy strands (from the Latin cirrus "tendril; ringlet"). British cloudspotter Gavin Pretor-Pinney named his eldest daughter Flora Cirrus.

See CARLETON.

Strong, solid surname name. For many this name will be inextricably linked with former Vice President Dick Cheney - a hinderance or a virtue, depending on your political leanings.

Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone may not seem like a worthy namesake, but parents have been using his surname for their sons since 1996. In English, we pronounce Capone with two syllables, but the authentic Italian pronunciation is cah-POH-neh.

Repetitive Japanese name with a flittering meaning.

More distinctive than Ella, if you're inspired by Cinderella.

A presidential and place-name that's not a stand-out in either category.

Though it sounds like Karen, this spelling makes the name more distinctive.

The Welsh word for "love" and a term of endearment turned modern word-name, Cariad is a sweet possibility that might work well as a name for a February or Valentines baby or a name for a Christmas baby. A famous bearer is British comedian Cariad Lloyd.

This cousin to Colton, a very widely used name, never matched its popularity and is now losing ground.

Friendly but flimsy.

Several animal names, from Fox to Wolf and even to Tiger, ccan work, but Cougar should stay in its cage. Even John Mellencamp has dropped it.

Cool, cruising choice for either sex.

Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.

Another animated Irish surname, this one with jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway.

Male name from Irish mythology makes stylish-sounding choice for girls.

A very Christmas-y Christmas baby name, that may avoid the Santa image by instead adopting the alternative spelling Klaus.

The jazziest nickname for Charles.

Cosmetic reinvention of Cody.