Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
German and Scandinavian variation of Caroline, French
"free man"
Karoline is the form of the classic Caroline commonly used in Germany and throughout Scandinavia, where it is popular. It's an acceptable if not traditional spelling variation, given to nearly 100…
Scandinavian variation of Christina
"annointed, a Christian"
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…
German, Russian, Polish, Scandinavian variation of Clara
"light"
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…
Slovenian, Croatian and Estonian variation of Carmen
"garden, song"
Derived from a place name and a musical word, Karmen is the Slovenian, Croatian, and Estonian form of Carmen, though it might just be used as a contemporary, English spelling a la Kadence and Karter.
English variation of Casey, Irish
"brave in battle"
Kasey was a modestly popular choice among Millennial babies, particularly girls.
Variation of Carly, English
This nouveau spelling peaked at Number 583 in 2004. In spite of its trend-making K and "ee" ending, Karlee is much less popular than the original Carly.
Norwegian diminutive of Katarina or variation of Carrie, English
"pure; free man"
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…
Variation of Crystal, English word name
"crystal, clear, ice"
This spelling variation of Crystal rose all the way up to #53 in the US in 1985.
Whether it be due to the Kardashian's or another manifestation of the creative spelling trend, we're seeing K spelling variations as some of the fastest-rising names of the past few years -- and…
Variation of Cleo, Greek
"glory"
Khloe : Chloe :: Kleo : Cleo
Spelling variation of Carissa
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.
Klaire is a modern feminine variant spelling of Claire, which comes from the Latin 'clarus' meaning 'clear, bright, or famous.' This contemporary spelling substitutes the traditional 'C' with 'K,'…
Scandinavian variation of Christine
Christine was one of the first megapopular C-to-K baby names , from Scandinavian variations such as Kristine and Kirsten to Kris, Kristy, and Kristy. While Kristine retains its krisply lovely sound,…
Variation of Coraline, English
"coral"
Coraline received a major popularity boost from the Neil Gaiman book and Henry Selick movie by the same name. As with many C names, this influenced the development of a K variant.
English, Japanese
"young ceremonial attendant or crooked nose; divine"
An English short form of Kamilla, Kameron or similar, or a Japanese unisex name meaning "divine",
Karley is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variation of Carly or Karly, which themselves developed as feminine forms of Carl, meaning 'free man' or 'strong man.' This contemporary spelling…
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…
Kolby as a feminine name represents a gender-crossover trend in naming practices. Traditionally used for boys as a variant of Colby (derived from Old Norse elements meaning 'dark farm' or from…
Spelling variation of Caitlin
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.
Spelling variation of Cassia, Greek
"cinnamon"
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…
