Neutral names starting with C

An alphabetical list of neutral names starting with C, continued from the names page, which see for more information. These are neutral-gender names, otherwise known as unisex names. They are equally appropriate for girls, boys, and people of any gender. In English-speaking countries, some of the most familiar gender-neutral names starting with the letter C include Carol, Casey, Chris, and Claude. However, there are many more unisex names from around the world that start with C, more than 220 of them, as listed below. Previous page: neutral names starting with B. Next page: neutral names starting with D.

The list
Cà. Vietnamese. Meaning "The eldest; the firstborn."

Cabernet. French. Meaning "A varietal of wine."

Cable. American. A modern name meaning "Rope."

Cache. American. A modern name meaning "A storage place."

Cactus. American. A modern name meaning "A cactus plant."

Cade. 1. Transferred from English surname. 2. Derived from Old English nickname for someone or something lumpy or rotund. 3. Possibly from Late Middle English cade (young animal abandoned by its mother and raised by hand). 4. Alternatively derived from Middle English cade (cask, barrel). May have been a nickname for someone with a barrel-like physique or an occupational name for a barrel maker. Keywords: appearance, occupation

Caden. 1. Arabic. "Kadin" means "friend" or "companion." 2. Welsh. Meaning "spirit of battle." 3. An altered form of an Irish and Scottish last name, McCadden. Keywords: friendship, relationships, war

Cadence. English. Derived from a musical term meaning "rhythm" or "flow." Keywords: music

Cael. Celtic, Gaelic, Irish. 1. “Victorious people." 2. "Slender.” Keywords: appearance, competition, war

Caelan. 1. Irish, Gaelic. Various meanings, most commonly "slender", "child", and "powerful warrior." 2. Old Welsh. From "cae," meaning "field," (pronounced kaee or gaee) and "llan/lan," meaning a community or town associated with a landmark. So Caelan/Caellan has the literal translation of "from the town by the field." Changing the spelling completely changes the meaning of the name. For example, "cai" (pronounced kay) means to rejoice in victory, and "lyn" means by water. 3. Scottish. "People of victory." 4. English. Anglicized form of Irish masculine name Caolán ("slender," with diminutive suffix) or Irish feminine name Caoilfhionn ("slender and fair") Keywords: appearance, community, competition, nature, water, war

Cælestis. Latin. Meaning "Heavenly."

Caerwyn. Welsh. From caer, meaning "fortress" and gwyn, meaning "white, fair, loved, blessed." Keywords: appearance, love, places

Cage. English. Meaning, "confining structure with bars."

Cagney. Gaelic, Irish. 1. Meaning "tribute." 2. From the Gaelic surname Ó Caingne, meaning "grandson or descendant of advocate." From caingean, meaning "legal dispute." Keywords: ancestors, law, lineage

Cahaya. Indonesian, Malay. Meaning "light." Keywords: elements, magic, nature, science, space

Cahya. Indonesian, Malay. Meaning "The Light." Variant of Cahaya, which see. Keywords: elements, magic, nature, religion, science, space, spirituality

Cahyo. Indonesian, Javanese. Javanese form of the name Cahaya, meaning "The light."

Cai. 1. Chinese. Meaning "colourful" or "wealthy." 2. Vietnamese. Meaning "feminine." 3. Latin, Welsh. Meaning "rejoice." Short form of Caius. 4. Wolof (dialect of Senegal and The Gambia). Meaning "come." 5. English, Welsh. Sir Kay (English) or Cai (Welsh) is Arthur's brother in Arthurian legend. Keywords: appearance, Arthurian legend, celebration, emotions, knights, magic, money, wealth

Cailean. 1. Irish, Scottish Gaelic. Meaning "whelp/young dog/pup," "cub," or "(contemporary) child." 2. Scottish. Meaning "triumphant in battle/war," "virile." 3. Scottish form of the Late Roman/Latin "Columba," meaning "dove." 4. Original spelling of Anglicised "Colin." Keywords: animals, children, nature, religion, spirituality, war

Cairo. 1. Arabic. Meaning "victorious." 2. Place name--the capital of Egypt. Keywords: competition, geography, places, war

Cais. 1. Vietnamese. Meaning "rejoicer." 2. Also commonly used in Chinese-speaking countries. Keywords: celebration, emotions

Cal. 1. Hebrew. Meaning "devotion." Sometimes associated with dogs, who are known as faithful companions. Related to the name "Caleb." 2. Northern Ireland. Variation on Cathal, meaning "battle rule." Also the name of a seventh-century saint in Italy. 3. Pet form of names beginning or ending with "cal." Keywords: emotions, relationships, religion, saints, war

Calais. 1. Greek. Meaning "son of Boreas." 2. Latin. Meaning "son of the north wind." 3. French. Place name--picturesque city and major ferry port in northern France. Keywords: ancestors, elements, geography, gods, Greek mythology, lineage, nature, places, religion, spirituality, ships/boats, water

Caldwell. English, Irish, Scottish. 1. Derived from the Old English cald/caeld, meaning "cold" and welle/wella, meaning "well, spring, stream." 2. Place name--several places in the British Isles, most famously the Caldwells in North Yorkshire and Renfrewshire in Scotland. 3. Transferred from a Scottish surname. Keywords: elements, geography, places, water, weather

Caledon. 1. Irish, Latin. Meaning "hard or rocky land." 2. Irish place name related to Caledonia, the Latin word for Scotland, thought to be derived from the ancient Celtic word for "hard." 3. English. Meaning "tough people." Keywords: elements, geography, geology, metals, minerals, places, rocks

Caley. 1. Gaelic, Irish. Meaning "slim, slender." 2. Scottish. Meaning "contemporary child."

Calgary. 1. Scottish. From the gaelic word Cala-ghearridh, meaning "pasture by the bay." 2. Place name--a city in Alberta, Canada. Keywords: geography, nature, places, plants, water

Caliana. American. A modern name made from a combination of the names Callie and Ana.

Calico. English. Noun-based name associated with small, floral-printed and/or sturdy cotton fabric and creatures and plants with mottled coats, shells, leaves, etc. Keywords: animals, nature, plants

Callan. Gaelic, Scottish. Meaning "battle, rock." Keywords: elements, geology, minerals, nature, war

Callen. Irish. Meaning "Slender, thin."

Callias. Greek. Meaning "beauty." Latinised version of Ancient Greek Kallias. Keywords: appearance

Calypso. 1. Greek. Meaning "she that conceals." Name from Greek mythology. 2. Latin. Noun--type of white to purple orchid that grows in bogs. 3. Noun--a form of syncopated West Indian/Trinidadian music, often involving improvisation. Keywords: flowers, Greek mythology, music, mystery, nature, plants

Cam. Gaelic, Scottish. Short form of Cameron, meaning "crooked nose," and other names starting with Cam. Keywords: appearance

Camber. English. 1. Noun meaning "a slightly arched surface." 2. Transferred from the English surname denoting a family from Cambria (Wales). Keywords: geography, places

Camden. 1. Scottish. Meaning "(from the) winding valley." 2. Welsh. Meaning "child of the wind." 3. Transferred from an English surname denoting people who lived in a camp in a valley. 4. Camden Town is a popular market district in London. Keywords: children, elements, geography, nature, places, whimsical

Camdyn. Variation on Camden, which see.

Cameo. 1. Italian. Meaning "small, but perfectly formed." 2. Italian. Meaning "sculpted jewel" or "a stone or shell carved in relief." 3. English. Meaning "a carved gem portrait." 4. English. Noun, meaning "a small but noticeable part played by a famous actor." Keywords: art, fame, jewels, minerals, nature, stones

Cameron. Scottish. Transferred from the surname. 1. Scottish highlands. Derived from words meaning "crooked nose" or "crooked river." 2. Scottish lowlands. Derived from the last name of a baron hailing from Cambernon, Normandy. Keywords: appearance, geography, nature, places

Camille. 1. French. Meaning "young ceremonial attendant" or "pure and perfect." 2. Latin. Derived from Camilla, meaning "serving at the altar" or "virgin of unblemished character." Keywords: religion

Campbell. 1. Gaelic, Scottish. Meaning "crooked/bent mouth/smile." Transferred from a famous surname. 2. French, Latin, Norman. Meaning "from the beautiful field." French variations include Beauchamp and Hamel. Keywords: appearance, nature, places

Camryn. Form of Cameron, which see (definition 1).

Canaan. Hebrew. Meaning "From Palestine." Keywords: Biblical

Canada. English. A modern name, from the name of the country, from the Huron-Iroquois word kanata, meaning "Village."

Cande. Spanish, Latin. 1. Short form of the names Candelaria and Candelario, meaning "candlemas" or "feast of candles," the Christian celebration of the presentation of baby Jesus in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. 2. Meaning "candle." 3. Meaning "twine" or "waxed cord." Keywords: light, religion, spirituality

Candid. American, English. Meaning "Hidden."

Candide. French. Form of the names Candidus and Candida. Meaning "White." Keywords: color.

Cane. English. Meaning "Stalk of sugar." Keywords: Biblical, food.

Cannan. English. Meaning "Wolf cub" or "Son of Cain." Keywords: Biblical, animals.

Cappy. English. From a nickname meaning "Captain."

Capri. Italian. Meaning "An Italian island." Keywords: places.

Capricorn. Latin. Meaning "The goat." Keywords: animals, astrology, birth date, stars, magic.

Carey. English. From an Irish surname, meaning "From the fort." Keywords: places.

Cariad. Welsh. Meaning "Love, darling."

Carlen. English. From the surname, meaning "Descendant of Charles." Irish variant: Carlin.

Carman. English. From the surname, meaning "Man."

Carmen. Latin. Meaning "Poem."

Carmine. 1. English, from Latin. Meaning "Song." 2. Hebrew. Meaning "Fruit garden; garden; orchard."

Carmo. Portuguese. Form of the name Carmel.

Carnation. English. Meaning "A type of flower."

Carni (קַרְנִי). Hebrew. Meaning "My horn," a symbol of strength. Variant: Karni.

Carol. English. Meaning "Song," or as a form of the names Charles, Carole, Caroline, or Carolus. Variants: Carole, Carroll, Caryl.

Caron. Welsh. Meaning "To love."

Carrigan. Irish. From the Irish surname, meaning "Pointed," "Spear."

Carrington. English. From the surname, meaning "Town of the marsh." Keywords: nature, places.

Carson. American. From the surname, meaning "Son of Carr." Variants: Carsyn, Karson.

Carter. English. From the surname, meaning "Driver of a cart." Keywords: occupation. Variant: Karter.

Cary. English. Meaning "Pure." Variant: Carey.

Case. English. From the surname, meaning "Case-maker." Variants: Cas, Kase, Kace.

Casey. Irish. From the surname, meaning "Vigilant in war." Variants: Casi, Casie, Kasey, Kaci, Kacie.

Cashmere. English. Meaning "Soft wool from the Kashmir goat."

Cass. 1. Greek. Meaning "Protector of humanity." 2. Irish. Meaning "Curly haired." 3. Welsh. Meaning "Treasurer; curly-headed; ingenious, clever." 4. English. Short form of several names beginning with Cass, including Cassandra and Cassidy.

Cassie. 1. English. Pet form of the name Casey, meaning "Vigilant" or "Descendant of the vigilant one." 2. English, from Latin. Pet form of the name Cassian or masculine Cassius, meaning "Vain." 3. English. Pet form of the name Cassidy, meaning "Descendant of the curly-haired one." 4. English, from Greek. Pet form of the feminine name Cassandra, from the masculine name Cassander, meaning "To excel, shine." Variants: Case, Casi, Cassy.

Cassidy. English. From an Irish surname, meaning "Descendant of the curly-haired one."

Castel. Spanish. Meaning "To the castle." Keywords: fantasy, places.

Castiel. Hebrew. From the angel with this name, meaning "Shield of God." Keywords: religion.

Cat. 1. English. Nickname from the animal. 2. English. Pet form of feminine names such as Catherine.

Cato. 1. Dutch. Feminine pet form of Catherine. 2. Latin. Masculine name, meaning "Wise."

Causer. English. From the surname, meaning "One who makes leggings." Keywords: arts, clothing, craft, occupation

Cedar. English, French, Latin. Noun meaning "cedar tree," a particularly fragrant tree, often used to build artistic and protective chests. Keywords: forests, nature, plants, spirituality, trees

Celeste. Italian, from late Latin masculine name Caelestis, meaning "Heavenly." Variants: French Céleste, English Celestine.

Celyn (pronounced Kellin). Welsh. Meaning "Holly." Keywords: nature, plants.

Ceres. Latin. From the name of the Roman goddess of grain, meaning "To grow." Keywords: food, nature, plants.

Ceri. Welsh. Possibly meaning "To love," or from the name of a river in Wales, or a short form of the name Ceridwen.

Cevahir. Turkish. Turkish form of the Arabic name Jawahir (جواهر). Meaning "Jewels."

Ceylon. Turkish. Meaning "From Sri Lanka."

Chai. 1. Meaning "tea." 2. Hebrew (traditionally a boys' name), meaning "life."

Chainey. English. From the surname, meaning "Oak grove." Variants: Cheney, Cheyne, Cheyney. Keywords: nature, places, plants, trees.

Chalice. English, from Latin. Meaning "Cup, goblet."

Chamonix (pronounced sham-on-EE). French. Meaning "From the region called Chamonix in France."

Chan (ចន្). Khmer. Meaning "Moon."

Chanda. (चण्ड, चण्डा) Sanskrit. Meaning "Fierce, hot, passionate."

Chandana (चन्दना). Hindi. Meaning "Sandalwood."

Chandler. English. From the surname, meaning "Candle maker." Keywords: occupation.

Chandra (চন্দ্র). Sanskrit. Meaning "Moon." Keywords: magic, moon, nature, sky, space.

Chang. Chinese. 1. 昌 (chāng), a masculine name meaning "flourish, prosper, good, sunlight." 2. 畅 (chàng) meaning "smooth, free, unrestrained." 3. 长 (cháng) meaning "long".

Change. English. Meaning "Change," or "Dweller from the market."

Chanlyeya. Native American, Onondaga. Meaning "Drifted snow." Keywords: nature, snow, weather, winter.

Channer. English. Meaning "Wise."

Channing. English. Modern, possibly meaning "From the place of Cana's people."

Channon. English. From the surname, meaning "Clergyman." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chanter. Native American, Sac and Fox Nation. Meaning "Sun." Keywords: nature, sky, sun.

Chantesuta. Native American, Sioux. Meaning "Firm of heart." Keywords: virtue.

Chanteyukan. Native American, Sioux. Meaning "Gracious, benevolent. Keywords: virtue.

Chantry. English. From the surname, meaning "Singing of the mass." Keywords: Christian, music, religion.

Chao. Chinese. 1. 超 (chāo), a masculine name meaning "surpass, leap over." 2. 潮 (cháo) meaning "tide, flow, damp."

Chapin. French. From the surname, meaning "Shoemaker." Keywords: clothing, occupation, style.

Chardon. Native American, Sioux. Meaning "Sand bar." Keywords: nature, places, water.

Charis. English, from Greek. Meaning "Grace."

Charleston. English. From the surname, meaning "Town of King Charles." Keywords: places.

Charley. English. Pet form of the masculine name Charles. Variants: Charli, Charlie, Charly.

Chas. English. Pet form of the masculine name Charles, meaning "Free man."

Chasen. American, English. Meaning "Hunter," or a combination of the names Chase and Jason.

Chaviva (חֲבִיבָה). Hebrew. Meaning "Beloved."

Châu. Vietnamese. Meaning "Pearl, gem." Keywords: colors, water.

Chaucer. French. From the surname, meaning "Trouser maker." Keywords: clothing, literary, occupation

Chay. English. Pet form of Charles, meaning "Man" or "King."

Cheche. Spanish. Meaning "Small thing." Keywords: physical traits, size.

Chelan. Native American, Chelan. Meaning "Deep water," and also a place name.

Chelsey. English. Unisex form of feminine name Chelsea, from the name of a district in London, meaning "Landing place for chalk or limestone."

Chen. 1. (חֵן) Hebrew. Meaning "Grace, charm." Keywords: virtues. 2. Chinese 晨 (chén) or 辰 (chén), both meaning "morning."

Cheng. Chinese. 1. 成 (chéng). Meaning "completed, finished, succeeded." 2. 诚 (chéng). Meaning "sincere, honest, true."

Chesed (חֶסֶד). Hebrew. Meaning "Kindness, goodness." Keywords: virtues.

Chetanzi. Native American, Sioux. Meaning "Yellow hawk."

Chevis. French. From the surname Chevins, meaning "Chub fish."

Chi. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "one's personal spiritual guardian," or "the Christian God." Chi is also the pet form of many Igbo names that start with Chi. Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chiaki (ちあき). Japanese. Meaning depends on kanji spelling, but can mean "thousand crystal," "thousand autumn," or other meanings. Keywords: number, season.

Chibueze. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is the king." Keywords: Christian, nobility, religion.

Chibuike. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is strength." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chibuzo. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God leads the way." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chicago. American English, from the American place name, from the Canadian French version of the Algonquin words for "Place of the skunk," or "Place of the wild onion."

Chick. English. Pet form of the name Charles, meaning "Free man." Also a word for a baby bird, and a slang word for a woman.

Chidi. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God exists." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chidiebere. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is merciful." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chidiebube. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is glorious." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chidiegwu. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is wonderful." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chifundo. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Mercy."

Chifuniro. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Will, wish."

Chijindum. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God holds my life." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chike. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God's power." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chikere. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God created." Keywords: Christian, religion. Variant: Chikelu.

Chikondi. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Love."

Chikumbutso. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Memory."

Chilli. American, English. Meaning "Cold."

Chima. African, Igbo. Short form of the name Chimaijem, meaning "God knows."

Chimalus. Native American, Delaware tribe. Meaning "Bluebird." Keywords: animals, birds, nature.

Chimwemwe. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Joy, pleasure."

Chin. Chinese. 1. 金 (jīn) meaning "gold, metal, money." 2. 锦 (jǐn) meaning "tapestry, brocade, embroidered." 3. 津 (jīn) meaning "ferry."

Chinasa. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God answers."

Chinedu. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God leads." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chinonso. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God is nearby." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chinwe. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God owns." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chinweike. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God owns power." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chinwendu. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God owns life." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chinweuba. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God owns wealth." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chipahua. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Clean."

Chisomo. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Grace."

Chioma. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "Good God." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chiyembekezo. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Hope."

Chizoba. Western African, Igbo. Meaning "God protect us." Keywords: Christian, religion.

Chris. English and Dutch. Short form of many names beginning with Chris, including the masculine name Christopher, feminine names Christina and Christine, and neutral name Christian. Variants: Christie, Christy.

Christian. English. Meaning "A Christian."

Christmas. English. Meaning "The Christmas holiday; Christ festival."

Chun. Chinese. 春 (chūn) meaning "spring (the season)."

Chus. Spanish. Pet form of masculine Jesús and feminine Jesusa.

Ciel. Various. French for "sky," but not traditionally used as a given name in France. Ciel is the name of a nonbinary main character in the comic GSA by Sophie Labelle.

Citlali. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Star." Variant: Citlalli.

Ciqala. Native American, Dakota. Meaning "Little one."

Citra. Indonesian. Meaning "Image."

Claude. English and French, meaning uncertain.

Clayne. English. Meaning "Town near clay land."

Clef. French. Meaning "A symbol of musical notation." Keywords: arts, music

Clemency. English. Meaning "Mercy."

Clever. American English. Meaning "Smart one."

Cloud. American English. Meaning "Cloud."

Clove. German. Meaning "The clove spice; a nail."

Coby. English. Pet form of masculine name Jacob.

Cocoa. American, English. Meaning "Powdered chocolate."

Coda. Italian. Meaning "Concluding section of music."

Codi or Cody. English, modern. From the Irish surname, meaning "Helper."

Coe. English. Meaning "Jackdaw bird."

Coeur. French. Meaning "Heart."

Colby. English. From the place name, meaning "Koli's farm."

Coligny. French. Meaning "From Coligny, France."

Colony. English. Meaning "Group of people," or a place name.

Colorado. Spanish. Meaning "Red colored." Keywords: places.

Columba. Latin. Meaning "A dove."

Colwyn. Welsh. Meaning "Welsh river." Keywords: nature, water.

Conary. Irish. Neutral form of the name Connery.

Connecticut. English, modern. Meaning "A state in the USA." Keywords: modern, places.

Cookie. English, modern. Meaning "Someone who cooks," or a dessert. Keywords: food.

Cooper. English. From the surname, meaning "Barrel maker."

Connery. Irish. From a surname, which meant "Descendant of the hound of the plain."

Connie. English. Pet form of the feminine names Constance and Cornelia, and the masculine names Conrad and Cornelius.

Connor. Irish. Meaning "Wolf lover." Keywords: animals, nature.

Corbeau. French. Meaning "Crow, raven." Keywords: animals, colors, nature.

Corbin. English. Meaning "Raven." Keywords: animals, colors, nature.

Corby. English. Meaning "From Corc's farm."

Corentine. Gaelic, from Breton. Possibly meaning "Hurricane."

Corey. Irish. Meaning "Hollow." Variants: Cori, Corie, Corrie, Koree, Korey.

Coriander. Greek. Meaning "The coriander spice."

Corin. English. Meaning "Spear."

Corliss. English. Meaning "Happy, free from care."

Cortney. English. Possibly meaning "Short." Variants: Courtney, Kortney, Kortney.

Corwin. Gaelic. Meaning "Heart's friend." Variants: Corwan, Corwinn, Corwyn, Corwynn.

Costa. Spanish. Meaning "From the coast." Keywords: nature, places, water.

Coty. French. Meaning "Hillside." Keywords: earth, nature, places.

Coy. English. Meaning "Quiet" or "Shy." Variants: Coye.

Crane. English. Meaning "Long-necked bird." Keywords: animals, nature.

Crescent. English. Meaning "A phase of the moon." Keywords: magic, nature, sky.

Cricket. English. Meaning "A singing insect." Keywords: animals, music, nature, size.

Crimson. English. Meaning "A deep red color." Keywords: colors.

Cristy. English. A pet form of masculine name Christopher and feminine name Christina.

Crosby. American, English. From the English surname, meaning "The settlement by the crossroads." Keywords: modern, places.

Cruz. Spanish and Portuguese. Meaning "The cross." Keywords: Christian, religion, shapes.

Crwys. Welsh. Meaning "Cross." Keywords: Christian, religion, shapes.

Cualli. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Good."

Culture. English. A modern name, meaning "Arts and customs."

Cunnawabum. Native American, Cree. Meaning "One who looks at the stars."

Currier. French. From the surname, meaning "Leather dresser, one who colors leather after it has been tanned." Keywords: occupation.

Cyan. English. Meaning "Greenish blue."

Cyd. Greek. Meaning "A public hill."

Cypress. Possibly Greek. 1. Noun--a variety of large evergreen trees, many of which are adaptable to a wide variety of climates, and produce strong wood. Some live upwards of 600 years. 2. Meaning "from the isle of Cyprus."

Cyprian. Latin. From the Roman family name, Cyprianus, meaning "From Cypress, Greece."

Cyprus. English. An Eastern Mediterranean island nation. Keywords: geography, islands, places, water

Cyrille. French. Meaning "Lord."