Scottish Names that Start With C
Share
Copy link
- Cameron
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to Cameron Diaz. Still, eight times more boys than girls are named Cameron in the US.
- Callum
Origin:
Scottish form of Columba, LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Callum, a charming Scottish name high on the list in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is rising through the ranks in the US now too. And it comes complete with the easy nickname Cal.
- Colin
Origin:
English diminutive of Nicholas or Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"people of victory; pup"Description:
Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image — due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell — and its C-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.
- Collins
Origin:
Surname derived from Nicholas or ColinMeaning:
"people of victory or pup"Description:
Collins is a surname name that has made the girls' Top 1000 thanks to its use for the daughter of the real-life Blind Side heroine. As of 2019, Collins climbed into the US Top 500. This derivation of the Greek Nicholas—which means "people of victory"—or the Irish and Scottish Colin—which may itself be a Nicholas derivation or an Anglicization of the word for pup—has a stylish feel made more so by that final s.
- Camden
Origin:
American and British place-name, ScottishMeaning:
"winding valley"Description:
Camden is a surprise hit, probably as a result of some star baby cred: it has been chosen by no less than four celebrity parents since 2012. Gentle but not flimsy, Camden could be an updated spin on Cameron, Callum, or Caden.
- Clyde
Origin:
Scottish river nameDescription:
Even though in the past Clyde may have been identified as half of the infamous outlaw duo with partner Bonnie Parker—especially after the 1967 movie in which he was played by Warren Beatty—Clyde has always had an element of jazzy cool that could overcome all the rest.
- Carson
Origin:
English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of the marsh dwellers"Description:
Carson is one of the most long-running popular androgynous baby names, with a dash of the Wild West via the legendary Missouri frontiersman Kit Carson. Dating back to when it was the name of Nancy Drew's Dad, Carson is still steadily in the Top 200 baby names.
- Caoimhe
Origin:
Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native habitat, it is sometimes spelled Keeva.
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"Description:
The seventh most common surname in Scotland, once associated only with soup, is now being considered as a last-name-first choice, accessible but unusual.
- Cameron
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
Cameron was once a rising star for boys only, but Cameron Diaz almost single-handedly transported it into the unisex camp back in the 80s.Though there are still eight times as many boy babies named Cameron as girls, it is currently in the US Top 600, where it is joined by Camryn and Kamyn.
- Caelan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little slender one"Description:
One of several Anglicized forms of Caolán, this spelling is borrowed from the Old Irish root, cáel. The pronunciation is also slightly Anglicized, as the original name may be pronounce KWAY-lan, KEE-lan, or KWEE-lan, depending on regional dialect.
- Craig
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"from the rocks"Description:
Craig is a single-syllable baby-boomer name, still common in its native Scotland, but most modern Americans would prefer something like Kyle.
- Collin
Origin:
Variation of Colin and CollinsDescription:
Thanks to its dashing British image and c-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin/Collin has enjoyed a long run of popularity.
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"Description:
This unisex name, the seventh most popular surname in Scotland, can make a more unusual Cameron alternative. It is represented on the girls' side by TV news correspondent Campbell Brown, for whom it was a family name, Brown was born Alma Dale Campbell, Alma Dale being her grandmother's name,and Campbell her mother's maiden name.
- Carson
Origin:
English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of the marsh dwellers"Description:
Very popular surname choice — it's in the Boys' Top 100 — beginning to catch on for girls. First female association: novelist Carson McCullers.
- Collins
Origin:
Surname derived from Nicholas or ColinDescription:
Though Collins makes the Top 1000 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen. Might make an innovative honorific for a grandpa Nick.
- Caitriona
Origin:
Gaelic variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress Caitrona Balfe has gained recognition for her role on Outlander. Pronunciation is like Katrina.
- Cairn
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"mound of rocks"Description:
In Scotland, a cairn is a heap of stones placed as a memorial or to support a beacon. This gives the name a rugged, timeless quality that is very appealing at present.
- Cam
Origin:
Diminutive of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
Cameron is still more popular as a boy's name than a girls and this simple, snappy short form works well for either sex.
- Camden
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"winding valley"Description:
Newly popular boys' name could cross over in much the way the related Cameron has.