K Versions of C Names for Girls
Updated Sat Oct 28 2023
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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.
- Kiara
Origin:
English variation of Chiara, Italian, Ciara, Irish, or Aboriginal Australian, KoreanMeaning:
"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."
- Khloe
Origin:
Variation of ChloeMeaning:
"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.
- Kali
Origin:
Sanskrit, EnglishMeaning:
"black one; free man; beauty"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).
- Kamila
Origin:
Latin, ArabicMeaning:
"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".
- Katalina
Origin:
Variation of Catalina, SpanishMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Spelling variant of Catalina, currently on the rise in the US.
- Kataleya
Origin:
Variation of Cataleya, flower name from English surnameMeaning:
"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.
- Kamryn
Origin:
English variation of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"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.
- Karsyn
Origin:
Variation of Carson, English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"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.
- Kora
Origin:
Malayalam variation of Cyriacus, GreekMeaning:
"of the lord"
- Karla
Origin:
German variation of CarlaDescription:
Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
- Karol
Description:
Karol is a feminine name in many English-speaking countries, though it functions as a masculine name in Slavic countries, particularly Poland, where it's the equivalent of Charles. Derived from the Germanic name Karl meaning 'free man,' this cross-cultural name offers versatility and international appeal. The feminine use of Karol emerged as a variation of Carol, which itself began as a masculine name before shifting predominantly to feminine usage in the mid-20th century. While never reaching tremendous popularity peaks in the US, Karol has maintained steady recognition. Its streamlined spelling gives it a modern edge compared to the more traditional Carol, while retaining the same pleasant sound.
- Kaitlin
Origin:
Spelling variation of CaitlinDescription:
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.
- Kourtney
Origin:
Variation of Courtney, English from FrenchMeaning:
"short nose; courteous, from the court"Description:
This spelling variation of Courtney has been popularized by celebrity Kourtney Kardashian.
- Krystal
Origin:
Variation of Crystal, English word nameMeaning:
"crystal, clear, ice"Description:
This spelling variation of Crystal rose all the way up to #53 in the US in 1985.
- Kaydence
Origin:
Variation of Cadence, word nameDescription:
We'd prefer to stick with the more-familiar Cadence and avoid the overly trendy Kay- prefix.
- Kassandra
Origin:
Original spelling of CassandraDescription:
Kassandra is actually the original form of Cassandra (Greek names do not have Cs), though most will see it as a Kardashianization, which is a shame! As you might expect, the C currently charts higher. Still, Kassandra can lead to all sorts of cute nicknames, such as Kassie, Kass, and Sandy.
- Kandace
Description:
Kandace is a contemporary spelling variation of Candace, a name with ancient origins. Historically, Candace (or Kandake) was a title given to queens or queen mothers in the ancient African Kingdom of Kush, located in present-day Sudan. The name means 'queen mother' or 'clear, pure' depending on the etymology followed. This modern spelling with 'K' emerged in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s in the United States, giving the classical name a fresh, distinctive appearance. Kandace combines regal historical connections with contemporary styling, appealing to parents seeking names with both substance and style.
- Kallie
Origin:
Variation of Callie, diminutive of Caroline, English, or Calliope, GreekMeaning:
"free man; beautiful voice"Description:
Kallie is usually used as a nickname for more unusual names like Calliope, Kalliope, and Calendula. We also think this is a fresher alternative to Kelly.
- Kami
Origin:
English, JapaneseMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant or crooked nose; divine"Description:
An English short form of Kamilla, Kameron or similar, or a Japanese unisex name meaning "divine",
- Karissa
Origin:
Spelling variation of CarissaDescription:
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.
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