Both offbeat and upbeat, this evocative traditional Irish name that runs through Celtic mythology is known here via award-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy (born Charles). The author's adopted name is related to Cormac Mac Airt, one of the great legendary high kings of Ireland.

Corneille is a French masculine name derived from the Latin 'Cornelius,' which was a prominent Roman family name. The name gained particular distinction in France through Pierre Corneille, a celebrated 17th-century French playwright who was a foundational figure in French tragic drama. Historically, the name carries associations with nobility and literary accomplishment. While common in French-speaking regions and countries with French cultural influence, Corneille remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, giving it an air of sophistication and uniqueness. The name typically pronounced 'kor-NAY' in French, carries melodic qualities and cultural richness that connect bearers to both Roman heritage and French artistic tradition.

Short and curt.

The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.

Several animal names, from Fox to Wolf and even to Tiger, ccan work, but Cougar should stay in its cage. Even John Mellencamp has dropped it.

Cove is an up-and-coming nature name whose cool sound and peaceful image saw it rising for both sexes... until COVID-19 hit. It remained steady in use for boys in 2021, but actually increased for girls, although it remains a seriously rare and distinctive choice for either gender.

Variously spelled Covy and Covey, this is a surname derived from the first name Cobthach. Like cousins Coby and Cody, it has an energetic nickname feel.

Native to America, the coyote has long been associated with danger and independence and with the popularity of Fox, Tiger, and Wolf, plus that cool KAI sound, Coyote might have potential. Possibly still too associated with the film Coyote Ugly and Wile E. Coyote, the Looney Tunes character, it is certainly a strong statement name for American nature lovers.

This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane.

Crash is a particularly calamitous entry in the badass boys' name category, taking Wilder and Maverick one -- or maybe a dozen -- steps further. But we can think of at least a dozen reasons you shouldn't name your baby Crash: crash test dummies, car crashes, economic crash, crashing out, just to name a few

This Native American tribe name is an attractive option for a boy or a girl. Tia Mowry used it for her son in 2011.

Intriguing, when seen as a water name a la River and Ocean, but too close to cultural appropriate if used as a reference to the Creek tribe of Native Americans. Another downside is its resemblance to creak, as in creaky bones or floorboards, and to unappealing words like creep and creak.

Crimson is a rare unisex color name used more frequently among baby girls.

Crispin, which was introduced into the mainstream by actor Crispin Glover and which means "curly-haired" in Latin, has an image very much like its first syllable: crisp, autumnal, and colorful.

Pronounced "crwa", this unusual name was chosen by Cedric the Entertainer for his son.

A distinctive alternative to Conan.

A Titan in Greek mythology, would not work in the modern world.