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K Versions of C Names for Girls

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Sat Oct 28 2023
K Versions of C Names for Girls

Blame it on the Kardashians — K versions of girl names starting with C are here to stay, at least for the time being. Khloe Kardashian’s given name, the most distinctive of the sisters’, entered the US popularity charts the year before Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered. Over a decade later, it remains a popular choice.

Along with Khloe, other K versions of C names for girls in the US Top 1000 include Kamila, Kali, Kiara, Kamryn, Kora, Kaydence, Karsyn, and Kassidy. Names that traditionally start with C but are also attractive in the K variation include Kallista, Karla, Katalina, and Kassia. Many K variations of girl names that begin with C offer a classic sound with a contemporary look. You may choose a K version of a C name as a compromise between tradition and modernity. After all, Claire and Klaire have the same sound, but given the two, which one do you think has more edge? If you’re interested in a C name spelled with a K for your daughter, explore our extensive list of options below.

  1. Kiara

    • Origin:

      English variation of Chiara, Italian, Ciara, Irish, or Aboriginal Australian, Korean

    • Meaning:

      "light, clear; little dark one; cockatoo; first ray of sun"

    • Description:

      Kiara can be considered a variation of both the Italian name Chiara and the Irish name Ciara. Chiara is the Italian form of Clara, meaning "bright" or "clear," while Ciara is the feminine form of male given name Ciar, derived from the old Irish cíar, meaning "dark."
  2. Klara

    • Origin:

      German, Russian, Polish, Scandinavian variation of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      German, Slavic and Scandinavian form of Clara, which is a Top 100 girl name in multiple European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Iceland and Poland. While Clara is fashionable in the US, the Klara spelling retains an Old World air.
  3. Kali

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, English

    • Meaning:

      "black one; free man"

    • Description:

      Kali is a number of different things: a playful, contemporary twist on the name Callie; the Hindu goddess of destruction; an alternative spelling for Kaylee; a short form of the Arablic Kalila, the Greek Kalista, or the African American Kaliyah; a masculine name in India; and a trendy form of Kali(fornia).
  4. Kataleya

    • Origin:

      Variation of Cataleya, flower name from English surname

    • Meaning:

      "Cattley's flower"

    • Description:

      Variation of Cataleya, both of which are popular among Hispanic families in the US. Zoe Saldana played a character named Cataleya in Colombiana.
  5. Kleo

    • Origin:

      Variation of Cleo, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "glory"

    • Description:

      Khloe : Chloe :: Kleo : Cleo
  6. Kori

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Corey, English, African, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "from the hollow; lamb; coral"

    • Description:

      This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names from that African culture with animal meanings, and a short form of Koral, the Hebrew form of Coral.
  7. Koko

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Native American

    • Meaning:

      "stork; night"

    • Description:

      A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
  8. Kasey

    • Origin:

      English variation of Casey, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "brave in battle"

    • Description:

      Kasey was a modestly popular choice among Millennial babies, particularly girls.
  9. Kassia

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Cassia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "cinnamon"

    • Description:

      Kassia is the k-styled spelling variation of rising star name Cassia, an obscure but attractive botanical choice drawn from the cassia tree, which produces a cinnamon-like spice. The biblical Keziah is related.
  10. Karla

    • Origin:

      German variation of Carla

    • Description:

      Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
  11. Khloe

    • Origin:

      Variation of Chloe

    • Meaning:

      "young green shoot"

    • Description:

      Khloe's a variation of the popular Chloe, thanks to reality star Karshadian of the K-named family. Khloe jumped a whopping 101 places into 2009's Top 100 and peaked at 42 in 2010 but has declined in popularity in recent years.
  12. Kristina

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Christina

    • Meaning:

      "annointed, a Christian"

    • Description:

      This streamlined form of a pretty and feminine classic may not be as popular as it once was, but it's never out of style. A royal name best used now in its full glory rather than as nicknames Kris or Kristy.
  13. Karolina

    • Description:

      Karolina is a feminine name of Germanic origin, being a variant of Caroline or Carolina, ultimately derived from the masculine name Karl or Charles, meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' This elegant name is particularly popular in Eastern European countries including Poland, Croatia, Slovakia, and Lithuania, as well as in Scandinavian nations. Karolina has a melodic quality with its four syllables and soft ending. The name carries an international appeal while maintaining connections to traditional naming practices. Throughout history, various royal figures have borne related forms of this name. Karolina projects an image of feminine strength combined with grace. The name allows for multiple nickname options including Kara, Lina, or Karo. Its classic roots give it enduring appeal while its specific spelling offers a distinctive touch.

  14. Kamryn

    • Origin:

      English variation of Cameron, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "crooked nose"

    • Description:

      As a Top 600 name for girls for more than 20 years, Kamryn has become a widely-accepted version of the original Cameron. It also ranks just below the Top 1000 for boys too, though it is used three times more often on girls.
  15. Karissa

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Carissa

    • Description:

      Both Karissa and Carissa are trending downward, along with the other issa names that first rose to popularity in the 1970s. Karissa fell out of the Top 1000 in 2014, two years after Carissa.
  16. Kaitlin

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Caitlin

    • Description:

      Kaitlin is a variation of Caitlin that's on a steep decline; it dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2013, after more than three decades on the list.
  17. Karsyn

    • Origin:

      Variation of Carson, English and Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "son of the marsh-dwellers"

    • Description:

      Y is often used to feminize a variant spelling of a name, though of course there's nothing intrinsically gendered about it. The Karsyn spelling is slightly off its peak for girls, but rising for boys.
  18. Kora

    • Origin:

      Malayalam variation of Cyriacus, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of the lord"
  19. Kari

    • Origin:

      Norwegian diminutive of Katarina or variation of Carrie, English

    • Meaning:

      "pure; free man"

    • Description:

      Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either Catherine Katherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.
  20. Kamila

    • Origin:

      Latin, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "young ceremonial attendant; perfect"

    • Description:

      Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".