Names Deemed "strange"

This is a list of names in which the community's impression is strange.
gender
usage
impression
Bríd f Irish
Modern Irish form of Brighid.
Bride f Irish
Anglicized form of Bríd.
Bridie f Irish
Anglicized diminutive of Bríd.
Brígh f Irish Mythology
From Old Irish bríg meaning "might, power". This was the name of a daughter of the Irish god Dagda.
Brigham m English (Rare)
From a surname that was originally derived from place names meaning "bridge settlement" in Old English.
Brighid f Irish, Irish Mythology
Newer Irish form of Brigit (see Bridget). Since the 1948 spelling reform, this name is spelled Bríd.
Brigid f Irish, Irish Mythology
Irish variant of Brighid (see Bridget).
Brigita f Slovene, Croatian, Latvian, Czech, Slovak
Form of Bridget in several languages.
Brijesha m Hinduism
Means "ruler of Brij" in Sanskrit. This is another name of the Hindu god Krishna, Brij being a region associated with him.
Brin m Slovene
Means "juniper" in Slovene.
Brina f Slovene
Feminine form of Brin.
Briscoe m English (Rare)
From an English surname that was derived from a place name meaning "birch wood" in Old Norse.
Briseis f Greek Mythology
Patronymic derived from Βρισεύς (Briseus), a Greek name of unknown meaning. In Greek mythology Briseis (real name Hippodameia) was the daughter of Briseus. She was captured during the Trojan War by Achilles. After Agamemnon took her away from him, Achilles refused to fight in the war.
Bristol f English (Modern)
From the name of the city in southwestern England that means "the site of the bridge".
Britannia f English (Rare)
From the Latin name of the island of Britain, in occasional use as an English given name since the 18th century. This is also the name of the Roman female personification of Britain pictured on some British coins.
Britton m English
Derived from a Middle English surname meaning "a Briton" (a Celt of England) or "a Breton" (an inhabitant of Brittany). Both ethnonyms are related to the place name Britain.
Brogán m Irish (Rare)
From the Old Irish name Broccán, derived from bróc "shoe, sandal, greave" combined with a diminutive suffix. This was the name of several Irish saints, including Saint Patrick's scribe.
Brónach f Irish
Means "sad", derived from Irish brón meaning "sorrow". Saint Brónach was a 6th-century Irish mystic.
Bronislav m Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian
Czech, Slovak, Russian and Ukrainian form of Bronisław.
Bronislava f Czech, Slovak, Russian
Czech, Slovak and Russian feminine form of Bronisław.
Bronisław m Polish
Derived from the Slavic elements borna "protection" and slava "glory". A famous Polish anthropologist, Bronisław Malinowski (1884-1942), has borne this name.
Bronislovas m Lithuanian
Lithuanian form of Bronisław.
Bronte m & f English (Rare)
From a surname, an Anglicized form of Irish Ó Proinntigh, itself derived from the given name Proinnteach, probably from Irish bronntach meaning "generous". The Brontë sisters — Charlotte, Emily, and Anne — were 19th-century English novelists. Their father changed the spelling of the family surname from Brunty to Brontë, possibly to make it coincide with Greek βροντή meaning "thunder".
Bronwen f Welsh
Seemingly derived from Welsh bron "breast" and gwen "white, blessed", though it has sometimes occurred as a variant spelling of the legendary name Branwen. It has been used as a given name in Wales since the 19th century. It is borne by a character in Richard Llewellyn's 1939 novel How Green Was My Valley, as well as the 1941 movie adaptation.
Bronwyn f English
Variant of Bronwen used in the English-speaking world (especially Australia and New Zealand).
Brunella f Italian
Feminine diminutive of Bruno.
Brünhild f Germanic Mythology
German form of Brunhild, used when referring to the character from the Nibelungenlied.
Brunhild f German, Germanic Mythology, Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements brunna "armour, protection" and hilt "battle". It is cognate with the Old Norse name Brynhildr (from the elements brynja and hildr). In Norse legend Brynhildr was the queen of the valkyries who was rescued by the hero Sigurd. In the medieval German saga the Nibelungenlied she was a queen of Iceland and the wife of Gunther. Both of these characters were probably inspired by the eventful life of the 6th-century Frankish queen Brunhilda (of Visigothic birth).... [more]
Brunhilda f History
Variant of Brunhild, referring to the Frankish queen.
Brunilda f Albanian, Spanish (Rare), Italian (Rare), Portuguese (Rare)
Albanian, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Brunhild.
Brutus m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen meaning "heavy" in Latin. Famous bearers include Lucius Junius Brutus, the traditional founder of the Roman Republic, and Marcus Junius Brutus, the statesman who conspired to assassinate Julius Caesar.
Bryanne f English (Rare)
Feminine form of Brian.
Brygida f Polish
Polish form of Bridget.
Bryn m & f Welsh, English (Modern)
Means "hill, mound" in Welsh. In Wales it is almost always a masculine name, though elsewhere in the English-speaking world it can be unisex (see Brynn).
Brynhildr f Norse Mythology, Old Norse
Old Norse cognate of Brunhild. In the Norse epic the Völsungasaga Brynhildr was rescued by the hero Sigurd in the guise of Gunnar. Brynhildr and Gunnar were married, but when Sigurd's wife Gudrun let slip that it was in fact Sigurd who had rescued her, Brynhildr plotted against him. She accused Sigurd of taking her virginity, spurring Gunnar to arrange Sigurd's murder.
Brynhildur f Icelandic
Icelandic form of Brynhildr.
Brynja f Icelandic, Old Norse
Means "armour" in Old Norse.
Brynjar m Norwegian, Icelandic
Derived from the Old Norse elements brynja "armour" and herr "army, warrior".
Brynmor m Welsh
From the Welsh place name Brynmawr meaning "great hill".
Bryony f English (Rare)
From the name of a type of Eurasian vine, formerly used as medicine. It ultimately derives from Greek βρύω (bryo) meaning "to swell".
Buddha m Buddhism
Means "enlightened" in Sanskrit. This is a title applied to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, as well as to a handful of other enlightened individuals.
Buenaventura m Spanish
Spanish form of Bonaventura.
Buffy f English
Diminutive of Elizabeth, from a child's pronunciation of the final syllable. It is now associated with the main character from the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003).
Bulus m Arabic
Arabic form of Paul.
Bulut m Turkish
Means "cloud" in Turkish.
Burak m Turkish
From Arabic براق (Buraq), the name of the legendary creature that, according to Islamic tradition, transported the Prophet Muhammad. Its name is derived from Arabic برق (barq) meaning "lightning".
Burcu f Turkish
Means "sweet smelling, fragrant" in Turkish.
Burgundy f English (Rare)
This name can refer either to the region in France, the wine (which derives from the name of the region), or the colour (which derives from the name of the wine).
Burke m English
From an English surname that was derived from Old English burg meaning "fortress".
Burkhard m German, Germanic
Derived from the Old German elements burg "fortress" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy", or perhaps from the Old English cognate Burgheard. Saint Burkhard was an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon missionary to Germany (a companion of Boniface) who became the first bishop of Würzburg.
Buse f Turkish
Means "kiss" in Turkish, from Persian بوسه (buseh).
Buster m English
Originally a nickname denoting a person who broke things, from the word bust, a dialectal variant of burst. A famous bearer was the silent movie star Buster Keaton (1895-1966).
Buttercup f Literature
From the English word for the yellow flower (genus Ranunculus). Author William Goldman used it for Princess Buttercup in his book The Princess Bride (1973) and the subsequent film adaptation (1987).
Buz m Biblical
Means "contempt" in Hebrew. This is the name of a son of Abraham's brother Nahor in the Old Testament.
Buzz m English
From a nickname derived from the onomatopoeic word buzz meaning "buzz, hum, murmur". A notable bearer is American astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin (1930-), one of the first people to walk on the moon. The character Buzz Lightyear from the movie Toy Story (1995) was named after Aldrin.
Byeong-Ho m Korean
From Sino-Korean (byeong) meaning "bright, luminous, glorious" combined with (ho) meaning "great, numerous, vast" or (ho) meaning "summer, sky, heaven". Other hanja character combinations are possible.
Byrne m English (Rare)
From an Irish surname, the Anglicized form of Ó Broin, which was derived from the given name Bran 1.
Byron m English
From a surname that was originally from a place name meaning "place of the cow sheds" in Old English. This was the surname of the romantic poet Lord Byron (1788-1824), the writer of Don Juan and many other works.
Bysshe m English (Rare)
From an English surname, a variant of the surname Bush, which originally indicated a person who lived near a bush. This was the middle name of the romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822).
Cäcilia f German
German form of Cecilia.
Cäcilie f German
German form of Cecilia.
Cadell m Welsh (Rare)
From Old Welsh Catell, derived from cat "battle" and a diminutive suffix. This was the name of two early kings of Powys in Wales.
Caderina f Sardinian
Sardinian form of Katherine.
Cadeyrn m Welsh (Rare)
From Old Welsh Catigirn meaning "battle king", derived from cat "battle" and tigirn "king, monarch". This was the name of a 5th-century king of Powys in Wales, the son of Vortigern.
Cadfael m Welsh (Rare)
From Old Welsh Catmail meaning "battle prince", from cat "battle" and mael "prince". This was apparently the birth name of Saint Cadoc. It was used by the British author Ellis Peters for the main character in her books The Cadfael Chronicles, first released in 1977.
Cadfan m Old Welsh
From an Old Welsh name, recorded in Latinized forms such as Catamanus, meaning "battle peak" from cat "battle" and bann "peak". Saint Cadfan, from Brittany, was a 6th-century missionary to Wales.
Cadmus m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Κάδμος (Kadmos), of uncertain meaning. In Greek mythology Cadmus was the son of the Phoenician king Agenor. He was sent by his father to rescue his sister Europa, who had been abducted by Zeus, although he did not succeed in retrieving her. According to legend, Cadmus founded the city of Thebes and introduced the alphabet to Greece.
Cadoc m Old Welsh
From an Old Welsh name, recorded in Latinized forms such as Catocus, derived from cat meaning "battle". This was the name of a 6th-century Welsh saint who was martyred by the Saxons.
Cadogan m Welsh (Rare)
Anglicized form of Cadwgan.
Cadwalader m Welsh (Rare)
Anglicized form of Cadwaladr.
Cadwgan m Welsh (Rare)
From Old Welsh Catguocaun (and many other spellings) meaning "glory in battle", from cat "battle" and guocaun "glory, honour". It appears briefly in the medieval Welsh tale The Dream of Rhonabwy.
Caecilia f Ancient Roman
Original Latin form of Cecilia.
Caecilius m Ancient Roman
Original Latin masculine form of Cecilia.
Caedmon m History (Ecclesiastical)
Meaning unknown, though the first element is likely connected to Brythonic kad meaning "battle". Saint Caedmon was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon poet who supposedly received his poetic inspiration from a dream. Our only knowledge of him is through the 8th-century writings of the historian Bede.
Cáel m Irish Mythology
From Old Irish cáel meaning "slender". In Irish legend Cáel was a warrior of the Fianna and the lover of Créd.
Caelan m English
Anglicized form of Caolán.
Caelestinus m Late Roman
Late Latin name, a derivative of Caelestis. This name was borne by five popes (usually spelled Celestine in English).
Caelestis m Late Roman
Late Latin name meaning "of the sky, heavenly".
Caelina f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Caelinus.
Caelinus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was itself derived from the Roman family name Caelius.
Caelius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was derived from Latin caelum meaning "heaven".
Caerwyn m Welsh
Derived from the Welsh elements caer "fortress" and gwyn "white, blessed".
Caesar m Ancient Roman
From a Roman cognomen that possibly meant "hairy", from Latin caesaries "hair". Julius Caesar and his adopted son Julius Caesar Octavianus (commonly known as Augustus) were both rulers of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. Caesar was used as a title by the emperors that came after them.
Caeso m Ancient Roman
Roman praenomen, or given name, that was probably derived from Latin caesius meaning "blue-grey". This praenomen was only used by a few families.
Çağatay m Turkish
From the Mongolian name Tsagadai (of unknown meaning), which was borne by the second son of Genghis Khan, known as Chagatai in English.
Çağla f Turkish
Means "almonds" in Turkish.
Çağrı m & f Turkish
Means "invitation" or "falcon" in Turkish.
Cahir m Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Cathaoir, possibly meaning "battle man" from Old Irish cath "battle" and fer "man".
Caiaphas m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latinized form of Greek Καϊάφας (Kaiaphas), probably of Aramaic origin. In the New Testament this is the name of the Jewish high priest who condemns Jesus.
Cain m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Means "acquired" in Hebrew. In Genesis in the Old Testament Cain is the first son of Adam and Eve. He killed his brother Abel after God accepted Abel's offering of meat instead of his offering of plant-based foods. After this Cain was banished to be a wanderer.
Caio m Portuguese, Italian (Rare)
Portuguese and Italian form of Gaius.
Cairbre m Irish
Means "charioteer" in Irish. This was the name of two semi-legendary high kings of Ireland.
Cairistìona f Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Christina.
Cairo m English (Modern)
From the name of the city in Egypt, called القاهرة (al-Qahirah) in Arabic, meaning "the victorious".
Caiside m Medieval Irish
Irish byname meaning "curly haired", from Irish cas "twisted, curly".
Caitria f Irish (Rare)
Possibly a form of Caitríona.
Caitríona f Irish
Irish form of Katherine.
Caitrìona f Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine.
Caius m Ancient Roman
Roman variant of Gaius.
Cajsa f Swedish
Variant of Kajsa.
Calanthe f English (Rare)
From the name of a type of orchid, ultimately meaning "beautiful flower", derived from Greek καλός (kalos) meaning "beautiful" and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning "flower".
Calanthia f English (Rare)
Elaborated form of Calanthe.
Calbhach m Medieval Irish
Means "bald" in Irish.
Cale m English
Short form of Caleb.
Calfuray f Mapuche (Hispanicized)
Means "violet flower" in Mapuche, from kallfü "purple, blue" and rayen "flower".
Caligula m History
Means "little boot" in Latin. This was a nickname for the 1st-century Roman emperor Gaius Caesar Germanicus given to him in his youth by his father's soldiers.
Calisto m Portuguese (Rare), Spanish (Rare)
Portuguese and Spanish form of Callistus.
Calixta f Spanish, Portuguese (Rare)
Spanish and Portuguese feminine form of Calixtus.
Calixte m French
French form of Calixtus.
Calixto m Spanish, Portuguese (Rare)
Spanish and Portuguese form of Calixtus.
Calixtus m Late Roman
Variant of Callistus, the spelling perhaps influenced by Latin calix "wine cup". This was the name of three popes (also known as Callistus).
Calla f English
From the name of two types of plants, the true calla (species Calla palustris) and the calla lily (species Calla aethiopica), both having white flowers and growing in marshy areas. Use of the name may also be inspired by Greek κάλλος (kallos) meaning "beauty".
Callahan m English
From an Irish surname, the Anglicized form of Ó Ceallacháin, itself from the given name Cellachán.
Callan m English
From an Irish surname, the Anglicized form of Ó Cathaláin, derived from the given name Cathalán.
Callisto 1 m Italian
Italian form of Callistus.
Callisto 2 f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Kallisto. A moon of Jupiter bears this name.
Callistus m Late Roman
Late Latin name that was derived from the Greek name Κάλλιστος (Kallistos) meaning "most beautiful". This was the name of three popes (also known as Callixtus), including the 3rd-century Callistus I who is regarded as a saint.
Callixtus m Late Roman
Variant of Callistus, the spelling perhaps influenced by Latin calix "wine cup". This was the name of three popes (also known as Callistus).
Calogera f Italian
Feminine form of Calogero.
Calogero m Italian
From the Late Latin name Calogerus meaning "beautiful elder", from Greek καλός (kalos) meaning "beautiful" and γέρων (geron) meaning "old man, elder". This was the name of a 5th-century saint, a hermit of Sicily.
Calpurnia f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Calpurnius. This was the name of Julius Caesar's last wife.
Calum m Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic form of Columba.
Calypso f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
From Greek Καλυψώ (Kalypso), which probably meant "she that conceals", derived from καλύπτω (kalypto) meaning "to cover, to conceal". In Greek myth this was the name of the nymph who fell in love with Odysseus after he was shipwrecked on her island of Ogygia. When he refused to stay with her she detained him for seven years until Zeus ordered her to release him.
Cambria f Various (Rare)
Latin form of the Welsh Cymru, the Welsh name for the country of Wales, derived from cymry meaning "the people". It is occasionally used as a given name in modern times.
Cambyses m Old Persian (Latinized), History
Latin form of Καμβύσης (Kambyses), the Greek form of the Old Persian name 𐎣𐎲𐎢𐎪𐎡𐎹 (Kabujiya), which is of uncertain meaning, possibly related to the geographical name Kamboja, a historical region in Central Asia. Two Persian kings bore this name, including Cambyses II, the second ruler of the Achaemenid Empire, who conquered Egypt.
Camélia f French
French form of Camellia.
Camelia f Romanian
From camelie, the Romanian spelling of camellia (see Camellia).
Camellia f English (Rare)
From the name of the flowering shrub, which was named for the botanist and missionary Georg Josef Kamel.
Camillo m Italian
Italian form of Camillus.
Camilo m Spanish, Portuguese
Spanish and Portuguese form of Camillus.
Can m Turkish
Means "soul, life" or by extension "darling, sweetheart" in Turkish, from Persian جان (jan).
Canaan m Biblical
From כְּנַעַן (Kena'an), the Hebrew name of the ancient region of Canaan, which was possibly derived from a root meaning "low, humble". In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Ham. He is said to be the ancestor and namesake of the Canaanite peoples.
Canan f Turkish
Means "sweetheart, beloved" in Turkish.
Candela f Spanish
Short form of Candelaria.
Candelaria f Spanish
Means "Candlemas" in Spanish, ultimately derived from Spanish candela "candle". This name is given in honour of the church festival of Candlemas, which commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary.
Candelario m Spanish
Masculine form of Candelaria.
Candelas f Spanish
Diminutive of Candelaria.
Cándida f Spanish
Spanish form of Candida.
Candida f Late Roman, English
Late Latin name derived from candidus meaning "white". This was the name of several early saints, including a woman supposedly healed by Saint Peter. As an English name, it came into use after George Bernard Shaw's play Candida (1898).
Cansu f Turkish
From Turkish can meaning "soul, life" and su meaning "water".
Canute m History
Anglicized form of Knut.
Caoilfhionn f Irish
Derived from the Old Irish elements cáel "slender" and finn "white, blessed". This was the name of several Irish saints.
Caoimhe f Irish
Derived from Irish caomh meaning "dear, beloved, gentle".
Caoimhín m Irish
Irish form of Kevin.
Caolán m Irish
From Irish caol meaning "slender" combined with the diminutive suffix -án.
Caprice f English
From the English word meaning "impulse", ultimately (via French) from Italian capriccio.
Capricia f English (Rare)
Elaborated form of Caprice.
Caprina f Various (Rare)
From the name of the Italian island of Capri.
Capucine f French
Means "nasturtium" in French. This was the stage name of the French actress and model Capucine (1928-1990).
Caradog m Welsh, Arthurian Cycle
From the Old Welsh name Caratauc, a Welsh form of Caratācos. This is the name of several figures in Welsh history and legend, including an 8th-century king of Gwynedd, a 12th-century saint, and a son of Brân the Blessed. In Arthurian romance Caradog is a Knight of the Round Table. He first appears in Welsh poems, with his story expanded by French authors such as Chrétien de Troyes.
Caratācos m Brythonic (Hypothetical)
Possible Brythonic form of Caratacus.
Caratacus m Brythonic (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Brythonic name *Caratācos meaning "loved", derived from the old Celtic root *karu "to love". According to Roman writers, this was the name of a 1st-century British chieftain who rebelled against Roman rule.
Carbrey m Irish (Rare)
Anglicized form of Cairbre.
Cardea f Roman Mythology
Derived from Latin cardo meaning "hinge, axis". This was the name of the Roman goddess of thresholds, door pivots, and change.
Caridad f Spanish
Means "charity" in Spanish. It is taken from the title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de la Caridad, meaning "Our Lady of Charity". This is the name of the patron saint of Cuba, with a shrine located in the town of El Cobre.
Carine f French
French form of Carina 1. It can also function as a short form of Catherine, via Swedish Karin.
Carissa f English
Variant of Charissa.
Carlisle m & f English (Rare)
From a surname that was derived from the name of a city in northern England. The city was originally called by the Romans Luguvalium meaning "stronghold of Lugus". Later the Brythonic element ker "fort" was appended to the name of the city.
Carlotta f Italian
Italian form of Charlotte.
Carlyle m English
Variant of Carlisle.
Carmel f & m English, Jewish
From the title of the Virgin Mary Our Lady of Mount Carmel. כַּרְמֶל (Karmel) (meaning "garden" in Hebrew) is a mountain in Israel mentioned in the Old Testament. It was the site of several early Christian monasteries. As an English given name, it has mainly been used by Catholics. As a Jewish name it is unisex.
Carmela f Italian, Spanish, Galician
Italian, Spanish and Galician form of Carmel.
Carmelita f Spanish
Spanish diminutive of Carmel.
Carmella f English
Latinized form of Carmel.
Carmen f Spanish, English, Italian, French, Romanian, German
Medieval Spanish form of Carmel, appearing in the devotional title of the Virgin Mary Nuestra Señora del Carmen meaning "Our Lady of Mount Carmel". The spelling has been altered through association with the Latin word carmen meaning "song". This was the name of the main character in George Bizet's opera Carmen (1875).
Carmi m Biblical
Means "vine" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Reuben in the Old Testament.
Carmine m Italian
Italian masculine form of Carmen.
Carmo m & f Portuguese
Portuguese form of Carmel.
Carola f Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish
Feminine form of Carolus.
Carolien f Dutch
Dutch feminine form of Carolus.
Caron f & m Welsh
From the name of places near the town of Tregaron in Ceredigion, Wales.
Carpus m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Latin form of the Greek name Καρπός (Karpos), which meant "fruit, profits". The name is mentioned briefly in the New Testament in the second epistle of Timothy.
Carwyn m Welsh
Derived from Welsh caru "to love" and gwyn "white, blessed". This name was created in the 20th century.
Cash m English
From an English occupational surname for a box maker, derived from Norman French casse meaning "case", from Latin capsa. It coincides with the English word cash meaning "money" (derived from the same French and Latin roots). A famous bearer of the surname was American musician Johnny Cash (1932-2003).
Casimir m English, French
English form of the Polish name Kazimierz, derived from the Slavic element kaziti "to destroy" combined with mirŭ "peace, world". Four kings of Poland have borne this name, including Casimir III the Great, who greatly strengthened the Polish state in the 14th century. It was also borne Saint Casimir, a 15th-century Polish prince and a patron saint of Poland and Lithuania. The name was imported into Western Europe via Germany, where it was borne by some royalty.
Casimiro m Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
Spanish, Portuguese and Italian form of Casimir.
Cason m English (Modern)
An invented name, based on the sound of names such as Mason and Jason. It also coincides with the English surname Cason.
Casper m Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Dutch and Scandinavian form of Jasper. This is the name of a friendly ghost in an American series of cartoons and comic books (beginning 1945).
Caspian m Literature
Used by author C. S. Lewis for a character in his Chronicles of Narnia series, first appearing in 1950. Prince Caspian first appears in the fourth book, where he is the rightful king of Narnia driven into exile by his evil uncle Miraz. Lewis probably based the name on the Caspian Sea, which was named for the city of Qazvin, which was itself named for the ancient Cas tribe.
Cassander m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Κάσσανδρος (Kassandros), the masculine form of Cassandra. This was the name of a 3rd-century BC king of Macedon.
Cassandra f English, French, Greek Mythology (Latinized)
From the Greek name Κασσάνδρα (Kassandra), possibly derived from κέκασμαι (kekasmai) meaning "to excel, to shine" and ἀνήρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive ἀνδρός). In Greek myth Cassandra was a Trojan princess, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba. She was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, but when she spurned his advances he cursed her so nobody would believe her prophecies.... [more]
Cassarah f English (Rare)
Recently created name intended to mean "what will be, will be". It is from the title of the 1956 song Que Sera, Sera, which was taken from the Italian phrase che sarà sarà. The phrase que sera, sera is not grammatically correct in any Romance language.
Cassia f Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Cassius.
Cassian m Ancient Roman (Anglicized)
From the Roman family name Cassianus, which was derived from Cassius. This was the name of several saints, including a 3rd-century martyr from Tangier who is the patron saint of stenographers and a 5th-century mystic who founded a monastery in Marseille.
Cassiel m Judeo-Christian-Islamic Legend
From Hebrew קַפצִיאֵל (Qaftzi'el), of uncertain meaning. Suggested meanings include "leap of God", "drawn together by God" or "wrath of God". This is the name of an angel in medieval Jewish, Christian and Islamic mysticism.
Cassiopeia f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Κασσιόπεια (Kassiopeia) or Κασσιέπεια (Kassiepeia), possibly meaning "cassia juice". In Greek myth Cassiopeia was the wife of Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda. She was changed into a constellation and placed in the northern sky after she died.
Cassius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name that was possibly derived from Latin cassus meaning "empty, vain". This name was borne by several early saints. In modern times, it was the original first name of boxer Muhammad Ali (1942-2016), who was named after his father Cassius Clay, who was himself named after the American abolitionist Cassius Clay (1810-1903).
Castiel m Judeo-Christian-Islamic Legend, Popular Culture
Possibly a variant of Cassiel. It is the name of an angel in the grimoire the Heptameron, a work that is sometimes (probably incorrectly) attributed to the 13th-century philosopher Pietro d'Abano. It was also the name of a character (an angel) on the American television series Supernatural (2005-2020). The creator Eric Kripke chose it after an internet search revealed that Castiel was an angel associated with Thursdays, the day the show aired.
Castor m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
From the Greek name Κάστωρ (Kastor), possibly related to κέκασμαι (kekasmai) meaning "to excel, to shine" (pluperfect κέκαστο). Alternatively it could be derived from the Greek word κάστωρ (kastor) meaning "beaver", though the legends about Castor do not mention beavers, which were foreign animals to the Greeks. In Greek myth Castor was a son of Zeus and the twin brother of Pollux. The constellation Gemini, which represents the two brothers, contains a star by this name.
Cat f & m English
Diminutive of Catherine. It can also be a nickname from the English word for the animal.
Catahecassa m Shawnee
Means "black hoof" in Shawnee. This was the name of an 18th-century Shawnee warrior and chief.
Cataleya f Various (Rare)
Variant of cattleya, a genus of orchids native to Central and South America, which were named for the British horticulturist William Cattley. This name was popularized by the main character from the movie Colombiana (2011).
Cătălin m Romanian
Romanian masculine form of Katherine.
Cateline f Medieval French
Medieval French form of Katherine.
Caterina f Italian, Catalan
Italian and Catalan form of Katherine.
Cathair m Irish
Variant of Cathaoir.
Cathal m Irish, Old Irish
Derived from Old Irish cath "battle" and fal "rule". This was the name of a 7th-century Irish saint. It was also borne by several Irish kings. It has sometimes been Anglicized as Charles.
Cathán m Old Irish
Derived from Old Irish cath "battle" combined with a diminutive suffix. Saint Cathán was a 6th-century Irish monk, a missionary to the Isle of Bute.
Cathaoir m Irish (Rare)
Irish Gaelic form of Cahir.
Catharina f Dutch, Swedish
Dutch and Swedish form of Katherine.
Cathrin f German
German short form of Katharina.
Cátia f Portuguese
Diminutive of Catarina.
Catia f Italian
Italian diminutive of Caterina.
Catina f Romanian (Rare)
Contracted form of Cătălina.
Cato 1 m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen meaning "wise" in Latin. This name was bestowed upon Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato), a 2nd-century BC Roman statesman, author and censor, and was subsequently inherited by his descendants, including his great-grandson Cato the Younger (Marcus Porcius Cato Uticencis), a politician and philosopher who opposed Julius Caesar.
Cato 2 f Dutch
Diminutive of Catharina.
Catrin f Welsh, German
Welsh form of Katherine, as well as a German short form of Katharina.
Catrine f Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Scandinavian contracted form of Katherine.
Catriona f Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Caitríona (Irish) or Caitrìona (Scottish Gaelic).
Cauã m Tupi
From Tupi kaûã meaning "hawk, falcon".
Cavan m English
Either from the name of the Irish county, which is derived from Irish cabhán "hollow", or else from the Irish surname Cavan.
Cayetana f Spanish
Spanish feminine form of Caietanus (see Gaetano).
Cayetano m Spanish
Spanish form of Caietanus (see Gaetano).
Ceadda m Anglo-Saxon
Old English form of Chad.
Ceallach m Irish (Rare)
From Old Irish Cellach, of uncertain origin, traditionally said to mean "bright-headed". Alternatively it could be derived from Old Irish cellach "war, strife" or cell "church". This name was borne by several early Irish kings and by a 12th-century saint, an archbishop of Armagh.
Cearbhall m Irish
From Old Irish Cerball, probably from cerb meaning "pointed, sharp, cutting". This was the name of a few medieval Irish kings.
Cebrián m Spanish (Rare)
Spanish form of Cyprianus (see Cyprian).
Cecil m English
From the Roman name Caecilius (see Cecilia). This was the name of a 3rd-century saint, a companion of Saint Cyprian. Though it was in use during the Middle Ages in England, it did not become common until the 19th century when it was given in honour of the noble Cecil family, who had been prominent since the 16th century. Their surname was derived from the Welsh given name Seisyll, which was derived from the Roman name Sextilius, a derivative of Sextus.
Cécile f French
French form of Cecilia.
Cecília f Portuguese, Catalan, Slovak, Hungarian
Portuguese, Catalan, Slovak and Hungarian form of Cecilia.
Cecílie f Czech
Czech form of Cecilia.
Cecilija f Slovene, Croatian, Sorbian
Slovene, Croatian and Sorbian form of Cecilia.
Cecilio m Spanish, Italian (Rare)
Spanish and Italian form of Caecilius (see Cecilia).
Cecily f English
English form of Cecilia. This was the usual English form during the Middle Ages.
Cecylia f Polish
Polish form of Cecilia.
Cedar f & m English (Rare)
From the English word for the coniferous tree, derived (via Old French and Latin) from Greek κέδρος (kedros).
Cédric m French
French form of Cedric.
Cedric m English
Invented by Walter Scott for a character in his novel Ivanhoe (1819). Apparently he based it on the actual name Cerdic, the name of the semi-legendary founder of the kingdom of Wessex in the 6th century. The meaning of Cerdic is uncertain, but it does not appear to be Old English in origin. It could be connected to the Brythonic name Caratācos. The name was also used by Frances Hodgson Burnett for the main character in her novel Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886).
Cefin m Welsh
Welsh form of Kevin.
Céibhfhionn f Irish Mythology
Means "fair-haired", from Old Irish ciab "locks, hair" and finn "white, blessed". In Irish legend this was the name of one of the three daughters of Bec mac Buain.
Ceinwen f Welsh
Derived from Welsh cain "good, lovely" and gwen "white, blessed". This was the name of a 5th-century Welsh saint also known as Cain or Keyne.
Celandine f English (Rare)
From the name of the flower, which is derived from Greek χελιδών (chelidon) meaning "swallow (bird)".
Celeste f & m Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, English
Italian feminine and masculine form of Caelestis. It is also the Portuguese, Spanish and English feminine form.
Célestin m French
French form of Caelestinus.
Celestina f Spanish, Italian
Latinate feminine form of Caelestinus.
Celestine f & m English
English form of Caelestinus. It is more commonly used as a feminine name, from the French feminine form Célestine.
Celestino m Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Caelestinus.
Celestyn m Polish
Polish form of Caelestinus.
Celestyna f Polish
Polish feminine form of Caelestinus.
Celia f English, Spanish
Feminine form of the Roman family name Caelius. Shakespeare used it in his play As You Like It (1599), which introduced the name to the English-speaking public at large. It is sometimes used as a short form of Cecilia.
Celinda f English (Rare)
Probably a blend of Celia and Linda. This is also the Spanish name for a variety of shrub with white flowers, known as sweet mock-orange in English (species Philadelphus coronarius).
Celino m Italian (Rare), Spanish (Rare)
Italian and Spanish form of Caelinus or a short form of Marcelino.
Celio m Italian (Rare), Spanish (Rare)
Italian and Spanish form of Caelius.
Celso m Italian, Portuguese, Galician, Spanish
Italian, Portuguese, Galician and Spanish form of Celsus.
Celsus m Ancient Roman
Roman family name meaning "tall" in Latin. This was the name of a 2nd-century philosopher who wrote against Christianity. It was also borne by an early saint martyred with Nazarius in Milan.
Celyn m & f Welsh
Means "holly" in Welsh. It appears briefly in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen, belonging to a son of Caw, but was not typically used as a given name until the 20th century.
Cemre f Turkish
From a term used in Turkish folklore referring to the warming of temperature at the end of winter, thought to occur in three stages affecting air, water, then earth.
Cengiz m Turkish
Turkish form of Genghis.
Cenk m Turkish
Means "battle, war" in Turkish, ultimately from Persian.
Cenric m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cene "bold" and ric "ruler, king".
Cephalus m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Κέφαλος (Kephalos), which was derived from κεφαλή (kephale) meaning "head". In Greek legend he remained faithful to his wife Procris even though he was pursued by the goddess Eos.
Cephas m Biblical, Biblical Latin
Means "rock" in Aramaic. 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 Greek Πέτρος (Petros) (in English Peter).
Cepheus m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Κηφεύς (Kepheus), which is of unknown meaning. In Greek legend he was a king of Ethiopia, the husband of Cassiopeia. After he died he was made into a constellation and placed in the sky.
Cerberus m Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek Κέρβερος (Kerberos), which possibly meant "spotted". In Greek myth this was the name of the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades.
Cerdic m Anglo-Saxon
Earlier form of Cedric, possibly of Brythonic origin.
Ceren f Turkish
Means "gazelle" in Turkish (probably of Mongolian origin, originally referring to the Mongolian gazelle, the zeren).
Ceres f Roman Mythology
Derived from the Indo-European root *ker- meaning "grow, increase". In Roman mythology Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, equivalent to the Greek goddess Demeter.
Ceridwen f Welsh
Possibly from cyrrid "bent, crooked" (a derivative of Old Welsh cwrr "corner") combined with ben "woman" or gwen "white, blessed". According to the medieval Welsh legend the Tale of Taliesin (recorded by Elis Gruffyd in the 16th century) this was the name of a sorceress who created a potion that would grant wisdom to her son Morfan. The potion was instead consumed by her servant Gwion Bach, who was subsequently reborn as the renowned bard Taliesin.... [more]
Cerise f French
Means "cherry" in French.
Cernunnos m Gaulish Mythology (Latinized)
Means "great horned one", from Celtic *karnos "horn" and the divine or augmentative suffix -on. This was the name of the Celtic god of fertility, animals, wealth, and the underworld. He was usually depicted having antlers, and was identified with the Roman god Mercury.
Cerridwen f Welsh
Variant of Ceridwen.
Cesarina f Italian
Feminine diminutive of Cesare.
Cesarino m Italian
Diminutive of Cesare.
Cezar m Romanian, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Romanian form of Caesar, as well as a Brazilian Portuguese variant of César.
Chadwick m English
From a surname that was derived from the name of towns in England, meaning "settlement belonging to Chad" in Old English.
Chae-Won f Korean
From Sino-Korean (chae) meaning "collect, gather, pluck" or (chae) meaning "colour" combined with (won) meaning "source, origin, beginning". Other hanja combinations can also form this name.
Chae-Yeong f Korean
From Sino-Korean (chae) meaning "colour" combined with (yeong) meaning "glory, honour" or (yeong) meaning "jade". This name can be formed using other hanja combinations as well.
Chae-Young f Korean
Alternate transcription of Korean Hangul 채영 (see Chae-Yeong).
Chaim m Hebrew
Derived from the Hebrew word חַיִּים (chayyim) meaning "life". It has been used since medieval times.
Chalchiuhtlicue f Aztec and Toltec Mythology
Means "jade skirt" in Nahuatl, from chālchiuhtli "jade, precious stone" and cuēitl "skirt". This was the name of the Aztec goddess of water and rivers, the wife of Tlaloc.
Chalice f English (Rare)
Means simply "chalice, goblet" from the English word, derived from Latin calix.