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Caddy see Caroline

Cahal see Carol

Cai see Caius

Caitlin f.

This, like Kathleen, is an Irish form of KATHARINE. It is currently popular in the UK, and it has been one of the most popular names in the USA for some years. The Irish pronounce it with the sound of ‘cat’ but the American pronunciation is reflected in the spelling Katelynn. Forms such as Caitlyn(n), Kaitlyn and Katlin are also found.

Caius, Gaius m.

A Roman first name, meaning ‘rejoice’, which is still used occasionally. The Welsh name Cai, Kai or KAY, well known as the name of Sir Kay, King Arthur’s foster-brother, is derived from this.

Caleb m.

From the Hebrew kalebh, meaning ‘dog’ or ‘intrepid’. It first appeared in England in the 16th century and is now coming back into fashion. It is shortened to Cale and can be spelt with a ‘K’.

Callie f.

Callie or Cally was originally a short form of several names, but is now used as a name in its own right. It is an old pet form of CAROLINE, or it can come from any name beginning Cal-, particularly those containing the Greek element for ‘beautiful’, such as Calliope, ‘beautiful face’, the name of the ancient Greek muse of epic poetry, or Calista, ‘most beautiful’ a name that may become more popular with the success of the actress Calista Flockhart. It is also found spelt Kally or Kalli(e).

Callum m.

Callum comes from the Latin columba, ‘a dove’. When the Irish St Columba went as a missionary to Scotland in the 6th century, he introduced the name there and it became a typically Scottish name, along with MALCOLM, which comes from it. It has recently become increasingly popular in the rest of the UK. It is found spelt Calum and Colum, while the form Colm is particularly popular in Ireland.

Calvin m.

From the surname of the 16th-century French religious reformer Jean Cauvin or Chauvin, which was latinised to Calvinus, and adopted as a first name by Protestants. The surname may mean ‘bald’. It is most commonly found in North America and Scotland, and can be shortened to Cal.

Cameron f. and m.

From the Gaelic meaning ‘crooked nose’ this is the name of a Scots clan. Its popularity as a boy’s name has spread from Scotland. It is now being used for girls as well.

Camilla f.

A name from Roman legend. Camilla was Queen of the Volsci, a great warrior and exceptionally swift runner. The name may be Etruscan, and possibly means ‘one who helps at sacrifices’. It was recorded in Britain as early as 1205 and is popular at the moment. Camille is the French form which can be used for either sex, and Milla, Milly and Millie are used as short forms.

Candice, Candace f.

This is an ancient title of the Queen of Ethiopia. It is also spelt Candis; Candy is a short form.

Candida f.

From the Latin meaning ‘white’. The name was not used in Britain until the early 20th century and its introduction was probably due to G.B. Shaw’s play, Candida.

Candis, Candy see Candice

Cara f.

This Italian word meaning ‘dear’ came into use as a first name only in the 20th century and is often spelt Kara in the USA. Pet forms, used as names in their own right, include Carissa, Carita and particularly Carina or Karina. These are found in a number of variant forms such as Karissa, Karena, Caryssa and Charissa, and it is not always easy to tell when parents are using forms of Cara, KAREN or CHARIS.

Caradoc m.

From the Welsh for ‘beloved’. It is common in Wales, but not in other parts of Britain. In the form Caratacus, the name of a Briton who fought against the Romans in the first century, it is one of the earliest recorded British names.

Cari see Ceri

Carl, Karl m., Carla, Karla f.

These are German forms of CHARLES. The names have been in general use in America for a century, and from there spread to Britain. The feminines Carla or Karla, Carlie or Carly can also be found as forms of the names found under CAROLINE.

Carlo see Charles

Carlotta see Charlotte

Carlton, Charlton m.

These names are both forms of an Old English place name and, later, a surname meaning ‘countryman’s farm’.

Carlyn see Caroline

Carmel f.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘garden’, and the name of a mountain famous for its lush vegetation near the city of Haifa in Israel. St Louis founded the church and convent on this mountain which, as legend has it, the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus often visited. Carmen is the Spanish form of the name, Carmela the Italian, and Carmelita and Carmelina pet forms. Carmen is also the Latin word for song, and some people like to think of it in this sense, hence such modern coinages as Carmina, the Latin for ‘songs’.

Carol f. and m.

The female forms of this name, which include Carole, Carola and Caryl, were originally pet forms of CAROLINE or Carolina, but are now popular names in their own right. As a boy’s name it can be an English form of the Irish Cathal or, in its phonetic spelling, Cahal (‘battle-mighty’). It is also used in central Europe and often spelt Karol or Karel, deriving from Carolus, the latinised form of CHARLES, but it is an uncommon male name.

Caroline, Carolyn f.

These names come from Carolina, the Italian feminine form of Carlo. The name was introduced into Britain from southern Germany by Queen Caroline of Brandenburg-Anspach, wife of George II. Both forms have been used steadily since the 18th century. Derivatives are Carla (see CARL), Carlyn, CAROL, Carola, Carole. Abbreviations include Carrie, Caddy, Caro and LYN.

Caron see Karen

Carrie see Caroline

Carwen, Carwyn see Ceri

Cary m.

A surname which was only rarely used as a first name until it became famous through the film star Cary Grant. Ultimately, it probably goes back to one of a number of Irish surnames, including ones meaning ‘battle-king’ or ‘dark brown’.

Caryl see Carol

Caryn see Karen

Carys see Ceri

Casey f. and m.

This comes from an Irish surname meaning ‘vigilant in war’. It can also be a form of the Polish name Casimir, ‘proclamation of peace’. This has a female form Casimira. The name takes various forms, often spelt with a ‘K’.

Caspar see Jasper

Caspian m.

Although at first this looks like the name of the great Asian inland sea, use of Caspian as a first name comes from the character of Prince Caspian in C.S. Lewis’s Narina books, particularly the 1951 volume named after him.

Cassandra f.

In Greek literature this was the name of a prophetess and princess of Troy. She foretold the truth, but was never believed. The name first became popular in the Middle Ages and has continued in use ever since. It is shortened to Cassie and Cass and sometimes SANDRA or Sandy. Cass also occurs as a masculine name, when it may come from an Irish name meaning ‘curly-haired’.

Cassia see Kezia(h)

Cassidy f.

This is an Irish surname, of unknown meaning, used as a first name, mainly in the USA. Cassie, also used as a name in its own right, is a short form it shares with CASSANDRA. It is occasionally used for boys.

Cathal see Carol

Catharine, Catherine, Cathleen, Cathy see Katharine

Catriona f.

A Gaelic form of KATHARINE. It was the title of a book by Robert Louis Stevenson, and became very popular in the 19th century as a result of this. Catrina, Katrina and Katrine are other forms of the name, and it becomes Catrin in Welsh. Riona is an Irish pet form.

Cecily see Cecilia

Cecil m.

From the Latin meaning ‘blind’. It was the name of a famous Roman clan and was first adopted into English as a girl’s name. The popularity of the name in its masculine form only became marked in the 19th century, probably as one of several aristocratic surnames which it was then fashionable to use as first names.

Cecilia f.

The female version of CECIL. It was the name of a 2nd-century martyr and saint, the patroness of music. The name was first introduced into Britain by the Normans. Variant forms are Cicely, Cecily, Sisley, Cecil and the French Cecile (used for boys and girls in France). The popular shortened form Celia (which can also be derived from another Roman name, Coelia) probably came into fashion as a result of the Celia in Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. Other abbreviated forms are Sis, Ciss and Cissy or Sissy (see also SHEILA).

Cedric m.

This name seems to have been a creation of Sir Walter Scott’s for a character in the novel Ivanhoe. Scott is said to have used it by mistake for Cerdic who was the first king of the West Saxons. However, as there is a Welsh name Cedrych (‘pattern of generosity’), it may well be from this. Cedric became popular with parents as a result of the book Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) by F.H. Burnett whose hero bore that name, and it may well also owe its fall in popularity to its association with the book and its hero’s smugly virtuous image. It does, however, show signs of coming back into fashion, particularly in the USA.

Celeste f.

From the Latin meaning ‘heavenly’. Pet forms, used as names in their own right, are Celestine, Celestina and Celesta.

Celia see Cecilia

Celina, Céline see Selina

Cenydd see Kenneth

Ceri f.

A popular Welsh name, sometimes spelt Keri to reflect its pronunciation with a hard ‘c’. It comes from the Welsh word for ‘love’ as do the names Cerian, Cerys or Carys (recently chosen by Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas) and Cari. Carwen is ‘fair love’ and has a masculine form, Carwyn (see also KERRY).

Ceridwen f.

This name probably comes from the Welsh words for ‘poetry’ and ‘white, blessed’. It was the name of a Celtic goddess who was said to inspire poetry and was the mother of the great poet, Taliesin (‘radiant brow’). It is pronounced with a hard ‘c’ and is generally confined to Wales.

Cerys see Ceri

Chad m.

The name (of uncertain meaning) of a 7th-century saint who was Bishop of Lichfield. The name became quite popular in America in the 20th century. A famous holder of the name was the Rev. Chad Varah, founder of The Samaritans.

Chae see Charles

Champak m.

The Hindu name of a god, and of a tree bearing yellow flowers.

Chandan m.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘sandalwood’. The paste derived from sandalwood is important in Hindu religious ceremonies, when it is used to anoint statues of the gods and to make a mark on the foreheads of worshippers. Chandan occurs as a divine personal name in traditional Hindu texts.

Chandra f., Chander m.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit meaning ‘the moon’. In the Hindu religion, the moon is a god rather than a goddess, but the name Chandra is nevertheless a popular one for girls. The variant Chander is often used for boys while Chandrakala ‘moonbeams’, can be used for girls.

Chandler m.

The success of the television series Friends has led to an increased use of the name, originally a French surname meaning ‘candle maker’.

Chandrakant m., Chandrakanta f.

From the Sanskrit for ‘loved by the moon’, referring to a mythical jewel mentioned in classical Hindu texts, supposedly formed by the moon’s rays. It is also the name of a white water-lily which blossoms at night.

Chanel f.

The name of this famous French perfume has been taken up as a girl’s name in recent years, especially by Afro-Americans. The perfume was named after Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, whose family name derives from an Old French word meaning ‘wine jar’, indicating an ancestral connection with the wine trade. Chanel is frequently spelt phonetically, taking such forms as Shanel, Shanell, Shanelle and Shannel. Chanelle is also used.

Chantal f.

This is a French name which has only been in use since the beginning of the 20th century. It was the surname, meaning ‘stone’, of the 16th century saint, Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal. It has been popular in the USA, where it has developed forms such as Chantalle and Chantel(l)e. It is pronounced, and sometimes spelt, with a ‘sh’ sound at the beginning.

Charis f.

From the Greek meaning ‘grace’. The ‘Ch’is pronounced as a ‘K’. It was first used as a first name in the 17th century, although in the 16th century the poet Edmund Spenser in the Faerie Queen used the form Charissa. It has been quite popular in the USA. Chrissa can be a short form of this or belong under the CHRISTINE group of names. There is some overlap between the names under CERI, CARA and Charis as they are pronounced so similarly.

Charity f.

From the Latin caritas, meaning ‘Christian love’. Translated into English as charity, it was adopted when it became the custom for Puritans to name childen after the Christian virtues. The name Charity was shortened to Cherry, and is the source of this name. Another abbreviation is Chattie, used also for CHARLOTTE.

Charlene f.

A 20th-century, feminine form of CHARLES. It may owe something to Charline, a Dutch form of CHARLOTTE. Charleen and Sharlene are also used (see also ARLENE).

Charles m.

Originally from an Old German word carl, meaning ‘man’, which was latinised as Carolus and then changed by the French to Charles. The Normans brought the name to England, but it did not become popular until its use by the Stuart kings of Britain caused it to be taken up by Royalists in the 17th century and Jacobites in the 18th century. Its popularity has continued ever since. The pet form Charlie is now common as the given form of the name. Chas, originally a written abbreviation, has now come to be used as a short form. Chuck is also used, and in Scotland Chae or Chay. Carlo, the Spanish and Italian form, is well used in the USA.

Charlotte f.

The French female form of CHARLES. It was introduced into Britain from France in the early 17th century. Goethe’s heroine from the romantic novel, The Sorrows of Werther, and Princess Charlotte, daughter of George IV, increased its popularity. Abbreviations are Lottie, Lotty, Totty, Charlie and Chattie, and spellings such as Sharlott have been recorded. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names for a number of years. Carlotta is the Italian form.

Charlton see Carlton

Charmaine f.

A 20th century name of rather obscure origin. It may well be a form of Charmian, from the Greek, meaning ‘joy’. This was the name of one of Cleopatra’s attendants in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Strictly speaking, Charmian should be pronounced with a hard ‘c’, but the ‘sh’ pronunciation is also found. Charmaine is sometimes spelt Sharmaine.

Charulata f.

A Hindu name meaning ‘beautiful’.

Chas see Charles

Chase m.

The rise in popularity of this surname, meaning ‘hunter’, as a first name in the USA probably owes much to its use for a character in the 1980s television series Falcon Crest.

Chasity f.

In 1969 the singer Cher and her husband Sonny Bono named their daughter Chastity. This name seems to have been misinterpreted, and Chasity developed as a first name in the USA.

Chattie see Charity, Charlotte

Chay see Charles

Chelsea f.

This name of a fashionable part of London, which originally indicated a ‘landing place (on the River Thames) for chalk or limestone’, is also a place name in Australia, where its use as a girl’s name seems to have begun. The name was introduced to America by a character in the film On Golden Pond, and its popularity was secured by the wide-spread publicity it received through Chelsea Clinton, daughter of US President Bill Clinton, who was named after a Joni Mitchell song. It is now well used in Britain. Spelling variants such as Chelsie, Chelsey and Chelsi are also found.

Cheralyn, Cherilyn see Cheryl

Cherie f.

The French word for ‘darling’. The forms Cheri, Sherry, Sheree and Sherrie are phonetic spellings. Cher can be the French for ‘dear’ or a short form of CHERYL. Cherise can be regarded either as a development of Cherie, or as a form of Charisse, the French form of CHARIS.

Cherry see Charity

Cheryl f.

This is probably a development of the name Cherry (see CHARITY). Other forms of the name are Cheralyn, Cherilyn, Sheril and Sheryl, and Cher can be a short form (see also CHERIE). These names came into general use only in the 1940s, but rapidly became popular.

Chester m.

A surname taken from the English city, used as a first name. The word comes from the Latin for ‘fort’.

Chetan m.

A Hindu name meaning ‘consciousness’ or ‘awareness’.

Chevonne see Sheena

Cheyenne f.

The name of a famous American Indian nation, of unknown meaning. Cheyenne was first launched as a boy’s name in a TV series of that name in the USA in the late-1950s. Pronunciation of the name as Shyann, in which form it is also found, possibly linked it in parents’ minds with the name ANNE, suggesting its use for girls. In the USA it continues to grow in popularity.

Cheyna see Shaina

China see Chyna

Chintana f.

An Indian name meaning ‘meditation’. The form Chintanika is also used.

Chip see Christopher

Chloe, Chloë f.

From the Greek, meaning ‘a green shoot’, a name given to the goddess Demeter who protected the green fields. It was a popular name in classical literature which was picked up by the Elizabethan poets. It is very popular at the moment. Chloris, ‘greenish’, is another name from Greek myth, and was again associated with fertility. It is sometimes spelt Cloris, to reflect the pronunciation of these names with a hard ‘c’.

Chris see Christabel, Christine, Christopher

Chrissa see Charis, Christine

Chrissie, Chrissy see Christabel, Christine

Christabel f.

This name was first used in Britain in the 16th century, and is thought to be a combination of ‘Christ’ and the Latin bella to mean ‘beautiful Christian’. It is not a common name in Britain, although it is sometimes used in memory of the suffragette, Dame Christabel Pankhurst (1880–1958). It is also spelt Christobel and abbreviated forms are Chris, Chrissy, Chrissie or Christie.

Christel, Christen see Christine

Christian f. and m.

This name, with its transparent meaning, has been used in Britain since the 13th century. It became more popular after its use by Bunyan for the hero of Pilgrim’s Progress, but has never been as common as the feminine form, CHRISTINE, although it is currently enjoying some popularity.

Christie see Christabel, Christopher

Christine f.

The commonest of the many girls’ names meaning ‘a Christian’. Christen is probably the oldest form, followed by Christiana. Others are Christina, Christian(n)e, a feminine form of CHRISTIAN, the Welsh form Crystin, and spellings such as Krystyna, Kristina, Krista and Kristin. The German form, Christel, may have helped the development of the name CRYSTAL. Short forms are Chrissie, Chrissy and Chris and further variants will be found under the Scottish pet form, KIRSTY. Chrissa, Chryssa or Kryssa can be thought of either as a part of this group or as a short form of Charissa (see CHARIS).

Christmas see Noel

Christopher m.

From the Greek meaning ‘bearing Christ’. As a first name it is used in honour of the saint who was believed to have carried the infant Christ to safety across a river. Thus St Christopher became the patron saint of travellers. The popularity of the name in Britain has fluctuated since the 13th century when it was first used, but it is presently a popular choice. The Scottish equivalent of the name was Chrystal or CRYSTAL. Abbreviated forms are Kester, Kit, Chip and Chris. Christie or Christy is a pet form particularly used in Ireland.

Chryssa see Christine

Chrystal see Christopher, Crystal

Chuck see Charles

Chyna f.

Based on the place name China, the name is particularly associated with the singer Chynna Philips, while the form Chyna is associated in the USA with a woman wrestler.

Cian see Keenan

Ciara, Ciaran see Kieran

Cicely see Cecilia

Ciera, Cieran see Kieran, Sierra

Cilla see Priscilla

Cimmie see Cynthia

Cindy f.

A short form of names such as LUCINDA and CYNTHIA, now used as an independent name. It is also spelt Cindi and Cindie.

Ciss, Cissy see Cecilia

Clare, Claire f.

From the Latin meaning ‘clear, famous’. The religious order of the Sisters of St Clara or ‘Poor Clares’, founded in the 13th century, was probably responsible for the rapid spread of the name throughout Europe. The name has been popular for some time. Among the many derivatives are Claribel and Clarinda, which can be shortened to Clarrie.

Clarence m.

In the 14th century LIONEL, son of King Edward III of England, married the heiress of the town of Clare in Suffolk. He was later created Duke of Clarence, the name Clarence meaning ‘of Clare’. This title seems to have been first used as a name in the early 19th century in Maria Edgeworth’s novel Helen.

Clarissa f.

From the Latin meaning ‘brightest, most famous’. It was made popular in the 18th century by Samuel Richardson’s novel Clarissa Harlowe. Clarice is an older form of the name. They share the abbreviation Clarrie with Clara.

Clark m.

The surname meaning ‘a clerk’, used as a first name. Famous users were the actor Clark Gable and in fiction Clark Kent, the everyday name for Superman. Clarke is also found.

Claud m., Claudia f.

From the Roman name, Claudius, itself derived from the Latin meaning ‘lame’. In homage to the Emperor Claudius, who was ruler when Britain was conquered by the Romans, the name was used in this country in the 1st and 2nd centuries. Its use soon lapsed in Britain though not in France where it is spelt Claude and used for either sex. It was from the French that it was revived in Britain in the 16th century by the Scottish family of Hamilton. A derivative is Claudian, and the pet form Claudie can be found. The female form, Claudia, is at the moment the more popular. Two French diminutives are also used: Claudette and Claudine, a name made famous by the novels of Colette.

Claus see Nicholas

Clayton m.

Clayton, from a place name, later a surname, meaning ‘settlement on clay’, is enjoying some popularity in the USA as a boy’s name, as is the shorter Clay. Both are also found spelt with a ‘K’.

Clem, Clemmie see Clement, Clementina

Clement m., Clementina, Clementine f.

From the Latin, meaning ‘mild, merciful’. Clement was the name of an early saint and of several popes. Its abbreviated forms are Clem and Clemmie, which are shared with the feminine forms Clementina and Clementine. Clementine was originally a German form, fashionable during the 19th century, and is now showing signs of returning to popularity. Clemency is also used for girls.

Cleo f.

A shortened form of Cleopatra, from the Greek meaning ‘glory of her father’. The famous Egyptian queen of this name died in 30 BC and it did not take long for her name to become a byword for sexual allure and tragic love. The form Clio is, strictly speaking, the name of the Greek Muse of history.

Clifford m.

There are several places named Clifford (‘ford by the cliff’) in Britain, any of which could become a surname. Towards the end of the 19th century the surname came into use as a first name. It is now most often used in its short form Cliff. Clifton, ‘settlement by the cliff’, is also found.

Clint m.

A short form of Clinton, an aristocratic surname meaning ‘farm by the river Glyme’, used as a first name. The short form has been given fame by the actor, Clint Eastwood.

Clive m.

A surname meaning ‘dweller by the cliff’ which has come to be used as a first name, probably in honour of Robert Clive (1725–1774), known as Clive of India, who was prominent in the British conquest of India.

Clodagh f.

The name of a river in Ireland. It was first used in the 20th century as a first name by the Marquis of Waterford for his daughter. Its use has now spread beyond Ireland.

Cloris see Chloe

Clover f.

This is the flower name used as a first name. Its spread may have been helped by its use for a character in the Katy books by Susan Coolidge. Names such as Clova can be interpreted either as a re-spelling of Clover, or as a feminine form of Clovis (see LEWIS).

Clovis see Lewis

Clyde m.

Clyde is an ancient Scottish river name meaning ‘the washer’, possibly from the name of a local goddess and used since before the Roman occupation. It became a surname, then a first name.

Cody f. and m.

This is said to be an Irish surname meaning ‘descendant of a helpful person’. It has been popular in the United States, where it is also a place name and well known as the surname of the Wild West hero, Buffalo Bill Cody. Codey and spellings with ‘K’ have also been recorded. Codi(e) is the spelling most often used for girls.

Coinneach see Kenneth

Colby m.

An English place name and surname, now used as a first name in the USA where it grew steadily in popularity in the early 1990s. The name originally indicated a farmstead owned by a Norseman called Koli. Colton, however, comes from a place name meaning ‘farm by the River Cole’.

Colette f.

From a French diminutive of NICOLA. It was the name of the 15th-century reformer of the ‘Poor Clares’ religious order. The name is best known in this country as the pen-name of a 20th-century French writer. It is also spelt Collette. The masculine name Cole comes from NICHOLAS.

Colin m.

This has a similar origin to COLETTE, for it was a French pet form of NICHOLAS. In Scotland, it was also interpreted as coming from the Gaelic word cailean, meaning ‘puppy’ or ‘youth’. There are rare feminine forms Colina and Colinette.

Colleen f.

The Irish word for ‘girl’ used as a first name. The name is not widely used in Britain, but is fairly common in North America and Australia.

Collette see Colette

Colm, Colum, Columba see Callum

Colton see Colby

Con, Conchobar, Conchobhar see Conor

Conan m.

From the Irish meaning ‘hound, wolf’. A famous holder of the name was Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, but the name is probably best known today from the fictional stories and films of Conan the Barbarian. Although the fictional character’s name is pronounced in the American films with the same sound as in ‘cone’, in Ireland the name has a short ‘o’. It shares its short forms with CONOR.

Conn, Connor, Conny see Conor

Connie see Constance

Conor m.

From the ancient Irish name Conchobar or Conchobhar meaning ‘lover of hounds’. It was the name of one of the great kings in Irish heroic stories, and has long been a popular name in Ireland. Its popularity has spread to the UK, where it is usually spelt Connor. It can be shortened to Con or Conny and sometimes Conn, which is also a separate name, perhaps meaning ‘wisdom’.

Conn, Connor, Conny see Conor

Conrad m.

From the Old German words for ‘bold counsel’. The name is found mostly in Germany where in the 13th century Duke Conrad was a greatly beloved figure. Objection to his public execution by the conquering Charles of Anjou led to a widespread use of this name in German-speaking states. Examples of it have been found in Britain since the 15th century. Curt or Kurt is a short form used as an independent name, now used rather more frequently than the full form.

Constance f.

Constance and its Latin form, Constantia, mean ‘constancy’. It became popular in many parts of Christendom after Constantine the Great ordered the toleration of Christianity in the Roman Empire, AD 313. It was introduced into England at the time of the Norman Conquest. The form Constancy was used by the Puritans in the 17th century while Constantia became popular in the 18th century. Constantina is another form of the name. Constance has been out of fashion since the early 20th century, but there has recently been an increase in its use. Its abbreviation is Connie. Constantine, the masculine form, comes from the Latin for ‘firm, constant’. Three Scottish kings were named Constantine after a Cornish saint who was believed to have converted their ancestors to Christianity in the 6th century. It became popular in England from the 12th to the 17th centuries, and was the origin of the surnames Constantine, Considine, Costain and Costin. It is not widely used in Britain today. The composer Constant Lambert (1905–51) shows an English form of the name.

Cora see Corinna

Coral f.

This name reflects the beauty and value of the substance, and was popular earlier this century. A French form which is also in use in Britain is Coralie.

Corbin m.

Corbin comes from a surname based on the Old French word for ‘raven’. Its spread owes much to the success of the actor Corbin Bernsen.

Cordelia f.

This name first appeared as Cordeilla in the 16th-century chronicles of Holinshed, from which Shakespeare altered the name to Cordelia for his play King Lear. The name is probably a form of Cordula, the name of one of the virgins martyred with St Ursula. It probably comes from the Latin word for ‘heart’.

Corey f. and m.

This is an Irish surname of unknown meaning which has come to be used as a first name. It has been popular in the USA for some years. It is also spelt Cory, and in forms such as Cori or Corrie has been used for girls, especially in combination with other names. Spellings beginning with ‘K’ particularly Kori for girls, are also found.

Corinna f.

This name and Cora both come from the Greek word kore meaning ‘girl’ or ‘maiden’, a name given to the goddess Persephone who was associated with the coming of spring. The appearance of the name in Ovid’s love poetry probably inspired its use among some 17th-century poets, particularly Herrick. The French form Corinne is also used. Corin, much used in poetry as the name for a love-sick shepherd, is the male form of the name, although it is occasionally also used for girls.

Cormac m.

This Irish name is of doubtful meaning, although it is sometimes said to mean ‘a charioteer’. It appears frequently in Irish legend, but through its prevalence in early Irish history and the Irish Church the name was accepted as having a Christian character in Ireland and so remained in steady use. A variant is Cormick.

Cornelius m., Cornelia f.

From the Latin cornu meaning ‘a horn’, these were the male and female forms of the name of a famous Roman clan. The male form was used in Ireland as a substitute for the native Conchobar (see CONOR). Its abbreviated forms are Corney, Corny and Cornie.

Corrie, Cory see Corey

Cosmo m.

From the Greek kosmos, meaning ‘order’. It is the name of one of the two patron saints of Milan and was used by the famous Italian family of Medici in the form Cosimo from the 14th century onwards. It was the name of the 3rd Duke of Gordon who was a friend of Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and the name was introduced into several other Scottish families. Cosima is the feminine form, recently chosen by Nigella Lawson.

Courtney f. and m.

An aristocratic surname used as a first name. It comes from Courtnay, a French place name, although the name is often interpreted as coming from court nez, the French for ‘short nose’. It is currently more used for girls than for boys.

Craig m.

The place and surname meaning ‘crag’, used as a first name.

Cressida f.

Cressida comes from a misreading of the name Briseida, ‘daughter of Brisis’, who appears in Homer’s account of the Trojan War. In the 14th century, the Italian writer Boccaccio used the name, and it was adapted by Chaucer in his verse-novel Troilus and Criseyde, the story of Troilus’s undying love for the fair Cressida, set against the background of the Trojan War. Shakespeare changed the name to Cressida for his version of the story. Despite the fictional character’s faithlessness in love, the name has recently become quite popular. An abbreviated form is Cressy.

Crispin, Crispian m.

From the Latin crispus, meaning ‘curled’. The 3rd-century martyrs Crispinus and Crispinianus were the patron saints of shoemakers. Crispin was popular in Britain in the Middle Ages and has recently enjoyed a revival.

Cruz m.& f.

This name, the Spanish word for ‘cross’, got a lot of publicity when it was chosen by the Beckhams for their third son. Although there were reports in the press that it was a girl’s name, it has always been used for both sexes, and is increasingly popular as a boy’s name in the USA.

Crystal f.

While this looks like, and is no doubt mainly used as, another jewel name (see also AMBER, JADE), the spread of this name may have been helped by Christel, the German form of CHRISTINE. Crystal is also spelt Chrystal and the form Krystal has become known through the TV series Dynasty. As a man’s name it is a pet form of CHRISTOPHER.

Crystin see Christine

Cudbert, Cuddy see Cuthbert

Curt see Conrad

Curtis m.

A surname from the French meaning ‘courteous’, used as a first name. It has been used more frequently in the United States than in Britain.

Cuthbert m.

From the Old English words cuth and beorht, meaning ‘famous’ and ‘bright’. It was in common use both before and after the Norman Conquest, and was the name of a 7th-century saint who was Bishop of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. It sometimes appeared as Cudbert, and had the pet form Cuddy. The name fell out of use just after the Reformation until the 19th century, when it was brought back by the Oxford Movement. It was a slang term for someone who avoided military service during the First World War, and it may be partly due to this usage that the name is not popular today. The school ‘swot’ in the Beano’s Bash Street Kids is called Cuthbert Cringeworthy.

Cy see Cyril, Cyrus

Cybill see Sybil

Cynan m.

This is a Welsh name based on the word cyn, meaning ‘chief’ or ‘outstanding’. It can also be found spelt Cynin or Cynon. There are a number of other Welsh names formed from this word, including Cynyr, which means ‘chief hero’.

Cynthia f.

One of the titles of the Greek goddess Artemis (see DIANA), Cynthia means ‘of Mount Cynthus’, reputedly one of her favourite places. It first became known as a name through its use by the Latin poet Propertius, and it was later popular among Elizabethan poets. Mrs Gaskell’s character in her novel Wives and Daughters brought it back into favour during the late 19th century. Pet forms include CINDY, Cindi or Cindie and the rarer Cimmie.

Cyprian m.

From the Latin Cyprianus, meaning ‘from Cyprus’. It was the name of a Christian martyr of the 3rd century.

Cyra see Cyrus

Cyril m.

From the Greek kyrios, meaning ‘lord’. There were two saints of this name in the 4th and 5th centuries, and it was a 9th-century Saint Cyril who took Christianity to the Slavs, and devised the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. The name was first used in England in the 17th century, but did not become common until the 19th century. The name shares the abbreviation Cy with CYRUS, and has been recorded spelt Syril. There is a rare feminine form Cyrilla.

Cyrus m.

A Greek form of the Persian word meaning ‘sun’ or ‘throne’. This is the name of the founder of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC, as well as a number of other Persian kings. It was first used in Britain in the 17th century among Puritans, probably in honour of the fact that the Emperor Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Palestine from their Babylonian captivity. They took it to North America, where the short forms are Cy and Cyro. There is a feminine form, Cyra.