littlesharks's list of names

  1. Caliban
    • Origin:

      Romanian
    • Meaning:

      "black"
    • Description:

      In Shakespeare's The Tempest, Caliban is the name of the deformed son of a witch: not the greatest literary reference for a child. But Caliban does have an appealing international-yet-accessible feel and a rhythmic sound. As long as nobody knows its origin, it might make a great name for a boy or even a girl.
  2. Callirrhoe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful flow"
    • Description:

      Callirrhoe is a Greek mythological nymph and companion of Persephone. It offers nicknames Calli, Ro, Clio, and Coco.
  3. Calypso
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "she who hides"
    • Description:

      This hyper-rhythmic name has two evocative references. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home. It is also a genre of West Indian music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago and largely popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte.
  4. Carmilla
    • Cassander
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "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.
    • Cassandra
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "shining or excelling man"
      • Description:

        The name of the tragic mythological Trojan princess who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but was condemned never to be believed, Cassandra has been used for striking characters in movies and soap operas. Ethereal and delicate, Cassandra was in the Top 70 throughout the 1990s but is now descending in popularity.
    • Castor
      • Origin:

        Greek; Latin
      • Meaning:

        "beaver; pious one"
      • Description:

        Forget the oil. It's one of the twins that make up the constellation Gemini, and a mythological name on the cutting-edge of fashion; used by Metallica's James Hetfield.
    • Cecil
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "blind"
      • Description:

        Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B. DeMille, poet Cecil Day Lewis, father of Daniel, and photographer Cecil Beaton. Fictional Cecils appear in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windemere's Fan, E. M. Foster's A Room With a View and the film Lee Daniel's The Butler.
    • Cecilia
      • Origin:

        Feminine form of Cecil, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "blind"
      • Description:

        Cecilia is a lovely classic name deservedly enjoying a new turn in the sun. Always among the Top 500 girls' names in the US, Cecilia is now at its highest point ever.
    • Ceridwen
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "beautiful as a poem"
      • Description:

        Celtic goddess of poetry, though less-than-poetic name.
    • Chalice
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "cup"
      • Description:

        A pure and wholesome image... unless it's poisoned!
    • Charna
      • Origin:

        Yiddish
      • Meaning:

        "dark, black"
      • Description:

        Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.
    • Charon
      • Origin:

        Greek Mythology
      • Meaning:

        "of keen gaze"
      • Description:

        The name of the ferrymen of dead souls to the Greek underworld and the name of Pluto's desolate moon, Charon makes an interesting, if somewhat macabre, choice for a baby. There are two pronunciations of this name, depending on whether you're referring to the ferryman or the moon. While the Greek version is pronounced with a hard "k" sound, the astronomer who named the moon did not know about the Greek myth - he named the moon after his wife Charlene, so many astronomers pronounce it with a "sh" sound.
    • Chrysalis
      • Origin:

        Nature name, English word name
      • Meaning:

        "a quiescent insect pupa, of a butterfly or moth"
      • Description:

        Chrysalis is a girls' baby name derived from the state of a butterfly or moth between larva and adult. A chrysalis is a hard-shelled pupa in which the transition of the butterfly or moth takes place. As a baby name, Chrysalis came to the fore as the rumored name of the baby girl of Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, who reportedly love butterflies. Chrysalis does certainly have potential as a new word name or nature name for babies, with the simple familiar nickname Chrys.
    • Chrysanthemum
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "gold flower"
      • Description:

        One of the rarest of the flower names, that of the blossom celebrated in Japan as a symbol of the sun and a possible object of meditation. One of the rare flower names counted among names for autumn babies, Chrysanthemum is also one of the most unusual nature-themed girl names starting with C.
    • Cinder
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        More distinctive than Ella, if you're inspired by Cinderella.
    • Circe
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "bird"
      • Description:

        In Greek myth, Circe, daughter of Helios, the sun, was a sorceress living on the island of Aeaea, who could turn men into animals with her magic wand, which is just what she did to Odysseus's crew in Homer's Odyssey, transforming them into swine. All was forgiven, however, as Circe and Odysseus later had a child together—Telegonus.
    • Claire
      • Origin:

        French form of Clara
      • Meaning:

        "bright, clear"
      • Description:

        Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice.
    • Claudia
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Claude
      • Meaning:

        "lame; enclosure"
      • Description:

        Claudia is a classic name with ancient Roman roots. Never truly in or truly out, Claudia feels like a strong, modern choice that hits the sweet spot between too popular and too unusual..
    • Claudius
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "lame; enclosure"
      • Description:

        Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. But as with feminine form Claudia, the "lame" meaning may stymie the rise of Claudius. Some etymologists theorize that the name may relate to the word for enclosure or clause, an alternate meaning that may appeal to a child with a form of this otherwise-appealing name.