Cat Names That Start With C

  1. Chance
    • Origin:

      French variation of Chauncey
    • Description:

      Once a cavalier Mississippi gambler type name, Chance has entered the mainstream since being endorsed by such celebrity dads as Larry King and Paul Hogan. Chance the Rapper has also boosted the name's popularity.
  2. Clancy
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired warrior"
    • Description:

      Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.
  3. Channing
    • Origin:

      English or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "people of Cana or wolf cub"
    • Description:

      Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
  4. Cassiel
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "angel of Saturday"
    • Description:

      This name of the archangel who protects those born under the sign of Capricorn is one of the most attractive and distinctive December baby names or January baby names. Cassiel is a little-known member of the increasingly popular Cass family, which includes Cassius, Cassian, and Cassia.
  5. Cairo
    • Origin:

      Egyptian place-name, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the conqueror, the victorious"
    • Description:

      Cairo is an exciting place name possibility with upbeat o ending and an on-trend first syllable. Debuting in the US Top 1000 in 2015, it has been climbing ever since, and, as of 2023, it is given to more than 1000 babies each year.
  6. Carolina
    • Origin:

      Variation of Caroline; also place-name
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Romantic, and classy, this variation heats up Caroline and modernizes Carol, adding a southern accent. A popular choice in Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Italy, it recently entered the US Top 500.
  7. Callisto
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Candace
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "white, pure, sincere"
    • Description:

      Candace, an ancient title of a dynasty of Ethiopian queens mentioned in the New Testament, is associated both with actress Candice Bergen and Sex and the City writer Candace Bushnell.
  9. Calloway
    • Origin:

      English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "pebbly place"
    • Description:

      Calloway is one of those irresistibly jaunty, animated three-syllable surnames, like Sullivan and Finnegan — but this one has the added attraction of jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway.
  10. Cinnamon
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "spice name"
    • Description:

      A sweet and rare spice name, which made its first and only appearance on the US baby name charts in 1969 – the year Neil Young's song "Cinnamon Girl" was released.
  11. Cindy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cynthia or Lucinda
    • Description:

      Cindy as a name in its own right made it into the Top 20 in 1957 and remained a Top 200 girls' name until the end of the 20th century. Although it's fallen precipitously since then and left the Top 1000 completely in 2015, Cindy remains a name commonly heard in the US. Today, though, it would more likely be attached to moms or grandmas than to babies.
  12. Crimson
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Meaning:

      "rich deep red"
    • Description:

      Crimson could be a possible competitor for Scarlett's success, though it's lacking that Johansson charm.
  13. Cypress
    • Origin:

      botanical name
    • Description:

      Lovely entry into the tree name genre, joining Maple, Pine, Oak, and Willow.
  14. Clea
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
  15. Cece
    • Origin:

      Short form of Cecelia, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      Cece, all by itself, gained notice as the nickname of Jim and Pam's baby on television's The Office. On the show as in real life, Cece is often short for Cecelia or even Cecilia, but it can also be a short form of just about any C name. Cece -- or, less elegantly, CeCe -- can also be a stylish nickname name used all by itself, ala Coco and Lulu. If you really love girl names starting with C, this is one way to express your devotion every time you say your daughter's name!
  16. Carter
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "cart maker or driver"
    • Description:

      One of the surname names for boys on its way to becoming unisex, this name broke into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013 for girls. While it sounds masculine to us, because of its two-syllable er-ending sound so trendy with boys’ names, many parents apparently disagree.
  17. Croix
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "cross"
    • Description:

      Pronounced "crwa", this unusual name was chosen by Cedric the Entertainer for his son.
  18. Cyrene
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "supreme power"
    • Description:

      Cyrene was a mythical nymph and huntress who was beloved by Apollo. An ancient city in Libya was named after her.
  19. Cleopatra
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "glory of the father"
    • Description:

      A royal name in ancient Egypt that's never quite made it to the modern world, though nickname Cleo is widely used. Other now-extinct Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleora and Cleola, achieved some popularity in the early 20th century when there was a crazy for all things Egypt-related as the ancient tombs were opened and artifacts displayed. In the US, Cleopatra became a popular silent film in 1917 starring Theda Bara.
  20. Corentin
    • Origin:

      French, Breton
    • Meaning:

      "tempest, hurricane"
    • Description:

      Corentin is an intriguing saint's name fashionable in France but virtually unknown here-- which you may consider a big plus. St. Corentin possessed a magical fish that regenerated itself each night, feeding himself and his lucky visitors in perpetuity.