Aries inspired names

Cadmus

Greek

"one who excels"

Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents…

Caesar

Latin

"cut"

Caesar, the name of the greatest Roman of them all, is rarely used outside Latino families, where the Cesar spelling is preferred —as in activist Chavez and Dog Whisperer Millan. Its original meaning…

Carmine

Latin, English, Italian

"vivid red; garden, song"

This Italian name could have a whole new life when viewed as a color name, however, it is traditionally a masculine form of Carmen, pronounced with three lilting syllables. Both provide an arty,…

Carnelian

Gemstone name

Carnelian is an ochre-colored semi-precious gemstone, named after a type of cherry.

Cashel

Irish

"castle, stone fort"

Cashel is one of the many appealing Irish names that have not yet emigrated to the US. Cashel was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller for their son. In…

Castor

Greek

"shining; wood; beaver"

If you can put aside the oil connection, Castor is a mythological option, borne by one of the (half) twins that make up the constellation Gemini, the other being Pollux. A son of Leda and a king of…

Cephas

Aramaic

"rock"

The apostle Simon was called Cephas by Jesus because he was to be the rock upon which the Christian church was to be built. In most versions of the New Testament, Cephas is translated into Petros in…

Cezary

Polish variation of Caesar, Latin

"long-haired"

In Poland, a Top 100 name on the rise.

Chang

Chinese

"smooth, free, unhindered"

An Asian favorite.

Chaviv

Hebrew

"loved one"

Lively sounding Hebrew choice.

Cheasequah

Cherokee

"red bird, cardinal"

Cheasequah refers to the cardinal, associated with the sun in Cherokee culture.

Chochokpi

Choctaw, Native American

"throne for the clouds"

Christo

Slavic

"one who carries Christ"

This unusual name, which is jauntier than Chris when used as a diminutive of Christopher, is associated with the Bulgarian installation artist of that name, responsible for wrapping many public…

Chukwuemeka

Igbo

"God has done something great"

Often shortened to Emeka, as in basketball player Emeka Okafor.

Ciaran

Irish

"little black-haired one"

Extremely popular in Ireland, Ciaran is also well used in England and is beginning to be adopted by parents in the U.S., though usually via the more American-friendly Kieran spelling. The Irish…

Clancy

Irish

"red-haired warrior"

Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed…

Clarus

Masculine variation of Clara, Latin

"bright, clear"

One of the few masculine names to derive from a feminine name — in this case, Clara. Clarus is the name of a French saint, the patron saint of tailors.

Colorado

Spanish place-name

"colored red"

More unusual than Dakota or Austin, Colorado conjures images of majestic mountains and windswept wilderness. Some will prefer the more preppy Aspen, but Colorado feels like the true explorer.

Conifer

Tree name from Latin

"cone-bearing"

Conleth

Irish

"chaste fire"

This appealing Irish name is borne by actor Conleth Hill, who plays Varys in Game of Thrones . It is an anglicization of the original spelling Connlaodh.