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  1. Cadeau
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "gift"
    • Description:

      Cadeau puts a decidedly French-ified twist on the word name trend, but don't be surprised if you encounter ponies and poodles with the same moniker.
  2. Cadence
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rhythm, beat"
    • Description:

      The musical word name Cadence, seemed to come out of nowhere to zoom up the charts; it rose over 700 spots between 2002 and 2004, and showed up in the Top 200 in 2007. It's gone down in the popular names list since then, though. Some might see it as a feminine relative of the popular Caden. Kadence and Kaydence are also rising.
  3. Cady
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive and surname
    • Description:

      Cady is one of those names that sounds popular but is actually rare in this form, given to only a few dozen baby girls in the US last year.
  4. Callaghan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "lover of churches"
    • Description:

      A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
  5. Calliope
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful voice"
    • Description:

      Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry -- and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016, and entered the Top 500 in 2023. Similar in rhythm and sound to Penelope with usable nicknames Callie, Clio, and Lola, it is no wonder it's on the rise.
  6. Calvino
    • Camille
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "young ceremonial attendant"
      • Description:

        At one time just the sound of the name Camille could start people coughing, recalling the tragic Lady of the Camellias, the heroine played by Greta Garbo in the vintage film based on a Dumas story, but that image has faded, replaced by a sleek, chic, highly attractive one.
    • Candide
      • Origin:

        French from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "naive"
      • Description:

        French saintly name, used for both boys and girls. Although not common in France, it has been used in small numbers for boys in the 2010s and 2020s. Candide, in its sense as the French word for "naive", was the title character of a satirical novel by Voltaire.
    • Cascade
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        It's a nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls. But also a dishwashing detergent.
    • Cassiopeia
      • Origin:

        Greek mythology name
      • Meaning:

        "cassia juice"
      • Description:

        Cassiopeia, the name of a mythological mother who became a stellar constellation, is challenging but intriguing, and has all those softening Cass nicknames available. And with all names Cass-related trending, Cassiopeia may be an unusual route to a stylish name.
    • Cecil
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "blind"
      • Description:

        Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B. DeMille, poet Cecil Day Lewis, father of Daniel, and photographer Cecil Beaton. Fictional Cecils appear in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windemere's Fan, E. M. Foster's A Room With a View and the film Lee Daniel's The Butler.
    • Cendrillon
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "little ashes"
      • Description:

        The unusual (to English speakers) name Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, though most Americans wouldn't recognize it as such. This might make an excellent middle name for those who are looking for something rare, whimsical, fantastical, and literary. But you must insist on the lovely French pronunciation — if you're choosing a name this uncommon, why not go all the way.
    • Cenerentola
      • Cerise
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "cherry"
        • Description:

          Infinitely preferable to the tease-inspiring English version of the word.
      • Charles
        • Origin:

          French from German
        • Meaning:

          "free man"
        • Description:

          Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "man" or "free man", and is a royal name in multiple European countries. A famous early bearer is Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Lombards and then Roman Emperor in the 8th-9th centuries.
      • Charlie
        • Origin:

          English, diminutive of Charles, French from German
        • Meaning:

          "free man"
        • Description:

          Charlie derives, of course, from the classic name Charles which, in turn, comes from a German word meaning "free man." Charles became very popular in France during the Middle Ages due to the fame of Charles the Great, also known as Charlemagne. Charley is an alternate spelling.
      • Charlotte
        • Origin:

          French, feminine diminutive of Charles
        • Meaning:

          "free man"
        • Description:

          Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
      • Chavalah
        • Christian
          • Origin:

            Greek or English from Latin
          • Meaning:

            "anointed one or follower of Christ"
          • Description:

            The name Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others. Christian's enduring popularity may be influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.
        • Churchill
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "hill of the church"
          • Description:

            Distinguished though it is, it will never shake its portly cigar-smoking image.