Updated October 2026
Across 24 pages
of 24
Word name, English from Greek
"charisma, grace"
Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after…
Greek
"glory"
Clio is the name of the ancient Greek mythological muse of history and heroic poetry, one that is rich with modern charm and would make an intriguing choice, especially thanks to its dynamic…
English
"small brood of birds"
This offbeat word name refers to a small brood of birds. Cove has been an up-and-coming unisex nature name in recent years, and a few parents are recognizing Covey as an alternative. Be warned though…
As a male name, Cleo was well used during the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, deriving from the Greek name Cleon or the Biblical Cleopas.
Irish, Scottish
"beautiful"
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…
English invented name
A feminine spin on the surname name Copeland.
Latin
"curly-haired"
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. St.…
French feminine form of Cecil
"blind"
Cecile is a fairly common French saint's name, scattered throughout classic French literature--in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in Balzac's Cousin Pons, and Zola's Germinal. Cecile, Cecily and Cecilia…
Italian variation of Cosmo
"order, beauty, universe"
Dramatic and worldly, Cosimo was chosen by singer Beck and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, for their son. Now that Cosima has emerged as a starbaby favorite, twin brother Cosimo could join her. Cosimo de…
Spanish variation of Claire or Clarissa
"bright, clear"
The pronunciation is different enough -- it's clar-EE-sa -- to make this feel like a distinct name. But an improvement on Claire or Clarissa? Not really.
"cold stream"
English place name turned handsome surname name.
"Charles' town"
A surname name, most popularly associated with actor Heston, has a blue-blooded ring to it. Charlton is also a more unusual pathway to evergreen nickname Charlie.
Latinate variation of Cleo, Greek
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 . Actress Clea DuVall is one noted bearer of…
Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek
Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in…
African, Igbo
"good God"
Beautiful West African name that could appeal across cultures.
Spanish, Italian variation of Cornelius, Latin
"horn"
If Cornelius still seems too much to consider, Cornelio, its jauntier, Latinized counterpart may be a better fit.
Irish
"little champion"
Stronger and more contemporary twist on Carla or Carly, Carlin was used just about equally for girls and boys in the US last year.
French
"cherry"
Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
Short form of Christina
Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.
Cobie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive nickname for Jacoba, the female form of Jacob, meaning 'supplanter' in Hebrew. It's also sometimes used as a unisex nickname for names like…