Spanish Names that Start With C
- Carmen
Origin:
Spanish variation of Carmel or LatinMeaning:
"garden or song"Description:
Carmen has long been associated with the sensuous, tragic heroine of Bizet's opera, based on a novel by Prosper Merimee; more recently it has called to mind two other bombshells: Carmen Miranda (born Maria) and Carmen Electra (born Tara), as well as the great jazz singer Carmen McRae. In the celebrity baby name world, this classic Spanish name for girls was used by Hilaria and Alec Baldwin for their oldest daughter.
- Cruz
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"cross"Description:
For a single-syllable Latino surname, this new popular kid on the block packs a lot of energy and charm and is one of the most stylish Spanish names for boys in general use today. Victoria and David Beckham named their third son Cruz, following Brooklyn and Romeo, and it was also picked up on by tennis star Lleyton Hewitt for his son. Other parents may prize its Christian associations.
- Carmen
Origin:
Spanish variation of Carmel or LatinMeaning:
"garden or song"Description:
While the variation Carmine is more familiar for boys, Carmen has also been used as a masculine name; consider the very macho Carmen Basilio — the American boxer famous for defeating the great Sugar Ray Robinson — or composer Carmen Dragon.
Spanish and Italian forms Carmelo and Carmello are also quite popular in the US, with Carmelo ranking in the Top 1000.
- Carlos
Origin:
Spanish variation of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Carlos is the Spanish and Portuguese variation of Charles, which has been used in solid numbers in the US for as long as data has been kept. Carlos has never fallen out of the Top 600, but peaked from the 70s-early 2000s. Today Carlos is still within the Top 200. Notable namesakes include musician Santana, writers Fuentes and Castaneda, and numerous athletes. Carlos Irwin Estevez is the birth name of Charlie Sheen.
- Catalina
Origin:
Spanish variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin.
- Carmelo
Origin:
Spanish and Italian from HebrewMeaning:
"garden"Description:
Carmelo is a well-used Hispanic name associated with Mt. Carmel, home of the prophet Elijah and the location of the convent for the order of Carmelites. Carmelo is also a saint's name and — in modern times — tied to basketball player Carmelo Anthony.
- Chencho
Description:
Chencho is a masculine name with Spanish and Latin American origins, particularly common in Mexico. It traditionally functions as a familiar nickname for Inocencio, which derives from the Latin 'innocens' meaning 'innocent' or 'harmless.' In some regions, Chencho can also be a diminutive for other names like Cresencio. The name carries a warm, friendly quality and reflects Hispanic cultural traditions of using affectionate shortened forms of longer names. While not widely used outside Spanish-speaking communities, Chencho has a rhythmic, memorable sound. It represents cultural heritage and family connections, often passed through generations as both a formal name and a term of endearment within families and close-knit communities.
- Chito
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"handsome"Description:
A short, snappy name of Choctaw origin, with a charming meaning, Chito might also be used in Georgian where it means "bird", and as a Filipino and Spanish short form and pet name.
- Cesar
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"head of hair"Description:
Cesar is the sleeker version of Caesar, as in emperor Julius, used in the US most frequently by Hispanic parents who put the emphasis on the second syllable. With ancient Roman names back in vogue, Cesar might become more popular.
- Cristian
Origin:
Spanish, Romanian and Italian form of Christian, LatinMeaning:
"follower of Christ"Description:
Both Christian and Cristian rank in the US Top 500 names for boys, and while the classic "Ch" spelling is used more than four times as often, Cristian is still given to more than 1000 boys each year, and is often used in the Hispanic community.
- Crisanta
Origin:
Spanish from GreekMeaning:
"golden flower, chrysanthemum"Description:
Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of November, it's one of the recommended names for Scorpio babies as well as names for November babies. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.
- Celestina
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of CelesteMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
We are hearing more of such heavenly names as Celeste and Celia, which opens the door to the range of lovely variations rarely heard before. Celestina is one of them, though given the more accessible options, it may be gilding the lily.
- Chilo
Description:
Chilo is a masculine name with Latin and Greek roots, where 'chilo' means 'lip' or relates to having full lips. In ancient Greece, 'Chilon' was a renowned Spartan philosopher, one of the Seven Wise Men. The name remains relatively uncommon in modern usage, maintaining a sense of classical distinction. In some Hispanic communities, it may appear as a diminutive form of names like Francisco or variations of other traditional names. Chilo carries an air of scholarly wisdom and classical heritage, making it an interesting choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth yet relative uniqueness.
- Chico
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"boy"Description:
Friendly but flimsy.
- Carlo
Origin:
Italian variation of Charles, FrenchMeaning:
"free man"Description:
An energetic and friendly Italian classic, Carlo is popular in its native Italy, but also familiar across Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, France, and Brazil. A variation of the regal French and English classic Charles, it is ultimately derived from the Latin Carolus and the Germanic Karl, meaning "free man".
- Chano
Description:
Chano is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Spanish-speaking communities, it often serves as a nickname for Sebastián, Luciano, or Feliciano. It also exists as an independent given name with potential roots in Native American languages or as a diminutive form in various Latin cultures. The name has gained some recognition through Mexican-American rapper Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett but who sometimes goes by the nickname Chano. With its simple two-syllable structure and friendly open vowel ending, Chano carries a warm, approachable quality. The name remains relatively uncommon in the United States outside Hispanic communities, giving it a distinctive character while being easy to pronounce and remember. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it versatile across different linguistic backgrounds.
- Cesaria
Origin:
Feminization of Cesar, LatinMeaning:
"head of hair"Description:
Cesaria, a modern feminine form of Caesar or the Latinate Cesar, has been obscure in the Western World but may stir to life along with other names that have their roots in ancient Rome. Cesarina, Cesarie, and Cesarea are other options.
- Chara
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"joy"Description:
Chara is the name of a star in a constellation that represents hunting dogs, recently named as one of the most likely to host extraterrestrial life. Also, Chara is a variation of both Sarah and Charlotte.
- Cristina
Origin:
Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, and Romanian variation of Christina, GreekMeaning:
"a Christian"Description:
Cristina is one case where the streamlined version feels more alluring. Cristina is found more often than Christina in many European countries and cultures, including Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Latin and South America.
- Claudio
Origin:
Italian, SpanishMeaning:
"lame; enclosure"Description:
Claudio, a most appealing Italian name, is featured in not one, but two Shakespearean plays, ,Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing. While "lame" is the most widely acknowledged meaning, 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-attractive name.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

