K Versions of C Names for Girls
Updated Sat Oct 28 2023
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Blame it on the Kardashians — K versions of girl names starting with C are here to stay, at least for the time being. Khloe Kardashian’s given name, the most distinctive of the sisters’, entered the US popularity charts the year before Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered. Over a decade later, it remains a popular choice.
Along with Khloe, other K versions of C names for girls in the US Top 1000 include Kamila, Kali, Kiara, Kamryn, Kora, Kaydence, Karsyn, and Kassidy. Names that traditionally start with C but are also attractive in the K variation include Kallista, Karla, Katalina, and Kassia. Many K variations of girl names that begin with C offer a classic sound with a contemporary look. You may choose a K version of a C name as a compromise between tradition and modernity. After all, Claire and Klaire have the same sound, but given the two, which one do you think has more edge? If you’re interested in a C name spelled with a K for your daughter, explore our extensive list of options below.
- Kiara
Origin:
Variation of the Italian Chiara or the Irish Ciara or Aboriginal Australian, KoreanMeaning:
"light, clear; little dark one; cockatoo; first ray of sun"Description:
Kiara can be considered a variation of both the Italian name Chiara and the Irish name Ciara. Chiara is the Italian form of Clara, meaning "bright" or "clear," while Ciara is the feminine form of male given name Ciar, derived from the old Irish cíar, meaning "dark."
- Kali
Origin:
Sanskrit, EnglishMeaning:
"black one; free man"Description:
Kali is a number of different things: a playful, contemporary twist on the name Callie; the Hindu goddess of destruction; an alternative spelling for Kaylee; a short form of the Arablic Kalila, the Greek Kalista, or the African American Kaliyah; a masculine name in India; and a trendy form of Kali(fornia).
- Kleo
Origin:
Variation of Cleo, GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Khloe : Chloe :: Kleo : Cleo
- Klara
Origin:
German, Russian, Polish, ScandinavianMeaning:
"light"Description:
German, Slavic and Scandinavian form of Clara, which is a Top 100 girl name in multiple European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Iceland and Poland.
- Koko
Origin:
Japanese, Native AmericanMeaning:
"stork; night"Description:
A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
- Karissa
Origin:
Spelling variation of CarissaDescription:
Both Karissa and Carissa are trending downward, along with the other issa names that first rose to popularity in the 1970s. Karissa fell out of the Top 1000 in 2014, two years after Carissa.
- Kori
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corey or AfricanMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names from that African culture with animal meanings.
- Kadence
Origin:
Variation of Cadence, word nameDescription:
K-beginnings are often substituted for Cs, and this spelling is definitely finding favor with many parents, among them skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. However, sometimes the original is the best - we suggest sticking to the still unusual Cadence.
- Karla
Origin:
German variation of CarlaDescription:
Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
- Kristina
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of ChristinaMeaning:
"annointed, a Christian"Description:
This streamlined form of a pretty and feminine classic may not be as popular as it once was, but it's never out of style. A royal name best used now in its full glory rather than as nicknames Kris or Kristy.
- Khloe
Origin:
Variation of ChloeMeaning:
"young green shoot"Description:
Khloe's a variation of the popular Chloe, thanks to reality star Karshadian of the K-named family. Khloe jumped a whopping 101 places into 2009's Top 100 and peaked at 42 in 2010 but has declined in popularity in recent years.
- Kassia
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cassia, GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"Description:
Kassia is the k-styled spelling variation of rising star name Cassia, an obscure but attractive botanical choice drawn from the cassia tree, which produces a cinnamon-like spice. The biblical Keziah is related.
- Katalina
Origin:
Spanish, Greek, HungarianMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Spelling variant of Catalina, currently on the rise in the US.
- Kari
Origin:
Short form of Karen, Carol, or KatherineDescription:
Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either CatherineKatherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.
- Krystal
Description:
This spelling variation of Crystal rose all the way up to #53 in the US in 1985.
- Kassandra
Origin:
Original spelling of CassandraDescription:
Kassandra is actually the original form of Cassandra (Greek names do not have Cs), though most will see it as a Kardashianization, which is a shame! As you might expect, the C currently charts higher. Still, Kassandra can lead to all sorts of cute nicknames, such as Kassie, Kass, and Sandy.
- Kamryn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
As a Top 600 name for girls for more than 20 years, Kamryn has become a widely-accepted version of the original Cameron. It also ranks just below the Top 1000 for boys too, though it is used three times more often on girls.
- Kristine
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of ChristineDescription:
Christine was one of the first megapopular C-to-K baby names, from Scandinavian variations such as Kristine and Kirsten to Kris, Kristy, and Kristy. While Kristine retains its krisply lovely sound, it's lost much of its kool.
- Kamila
Origin:
Latin, ArabicMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant; perfect"Description:
Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".
- Kassidy
Origin:
Variation of CassidyDescription:
Like Cassidy, Kassidy peaked near the turn of the millennium and has lost ground in recent years.