Power Names/Fantasy
- Callister
Origin:
Variation of Irish surname MacCallisterMeaning:
"son of Alister"Description:
Can be used either with or without the addition of Mac.
- Callisto
Origin:
Greek mythologyMeaning:
"most beautiful"Description:
Best known as one of the moons of Jupiter, Callisto was a nymph coveted by Zeus who was turned into a bear by Hera, becoming the Great Bear (Ursa Major) constellation.
- Cambria
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Most names that start with Cam- are on the upswing, so why not this obscure term for Wales as well as for a prehistoric time period.
- Cassander
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"light of man"Description:
Cassander is the masculine form of Cassandra, and the name of an ancient king of Macedon from the 3rd century BC. It could make a nice alternative to Alexander or a refreshing way to honour a female relative named Cassie/Cassandra/Sandra.
- Cassia
Origin:
Feminine form of Cassius or GreekMeaning:
"cinnamon"Description:
Cassia is related to the cassia tree, which has yellow flowers and produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon. Keziah, the name of Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, derives from the name of the plant as well. Cassia also has ties to the Ancient Roman name Cassius, an Ancient Roman family name meaning "hollow."
- Cathal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"battle rule"Description:
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to our shores. The t is not pronounced.
- Cato
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"all-knowing"Description:
Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman antiquity.
- Cato
Origin:
Dutch diminutive of CatharinaDescription:
Cato may have risen to new prominence in the English speaking world as an ancient Roman boys' name, popularized by The Hunger Games. But in the Netherlands, it's most widely used as a short form for Catharina and other forms of Katherine, ranking close to the Top 100, higher than any formal variation of the name. Cato for a girl is a cute idea and a fresh way to shorten the ubiquitous Catherine.
- Ceallach
- Ceara
Origin:
Spelling variation of Irish CiaraDescription:
Even though the pronunciation of Ceara and the more usual Ciara is KEER-a, most Americans would tend to mispronounce this spelling variation as Sierra.
- Cecile
Origin:
French feminine form of CecilMeaning:
"blind"Description:
Cecile is a fairly common French saint's name, scattered throughout classic French literature--in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in Balzac's Cousin Pons, and Zola's Germinal.
- Cedric
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"bounty"Description:
Cedric was invented by Sir Walter Scott for the noble character of the hero's father in Ivanhoe, presumed to be an altered form of the Saxon name Cerdic. The name was later also given to Little Lord Fauntleroy, the long-haired, velvet-suited, and lace-collared boy hero of the Frances Hodgson Burnett book, who became an unwitting symbol of the pampered mama's boy.
- Ceil
Origin:
Short form of Cecilia or CeliaMeaning:
"blind or heavenly"Description:
With the growing popularity of Celia and Cecilia, this vintage canasta-playing nickname name could be due for a comeback.
- Celeste
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
Celeste is a softly pretty and somewhat quaint name with heavenly overtones, which kids might associate with Queen Celeste of Babar's elephant kingdom. She's a light and lovely choice that's finally getting noticed.
- Celestia
Origin:
Variation of Celeste, LatinMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
Celestia is a heavenly name that sounds more ethereal than Celeste, Celestia might make a distinctive, feminine choice if your taste runs toward names like Angelina and Seraphina.
- Cendrillon
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"little ashes"Description:
The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for something rare, whimsical, fantastical, and literary. But you must insist on the lovely French pronunciation — if you're choosing a name this uncommon, why not go all the way.
- Cephas
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"rock"Description:
The apostle Simon was called Cephas by Jesus because he was to be the rock upon which the Christian church was to be built. In most versions of the New Testament, Cephas is translated into Petros in Greek, Peter in English.
- Ceres
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"nourishment"Description:
Little known name of the goddess of the harvest — her name literally means nourishment, and is the origin of the word cereal. A possibility for the parent seeking something original, but with the aura of Roman myth. Her Greek counterpart is Demeter.
- Cerise
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"cherry"Description:
Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
- Chandra
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"goddess of the moon"Description:
Chandra is the name of the Hindu moon goddess last groovy when incense and meditation were hot new concepts but a new possibility with the resurgence of astrology and other non-Western spiritual beliefs.