97 Boy Names That Start with C, From Timeless Classics to Hidden Gems

Pronunciation: KRIS-toh-fer

Famous: Christopher Columbus, explorer

Pairing: Christopher James

Why: Christopher has held steady in the top ranks for generations without ever feeling dated. It’s dignified but friendly, and it shortens naturally to Chris, Topher, or Kit for a totally different vibe day to day.

Pronunciation: KAY-leb

Famous: Caleb, biblical figure and companion of Moses

Pairing: Caleb Andrew

Why: Caleb has a soft, easy sound that’s been a steady favorite for decades without losing its warmth. It reads as friendly and approachable while still carrying real biblical weight.

Pronunciation: CHARLZ

Famous: King Charles III

Pairing: Charles Henry

Why: Charles is old-money elegant but endlessly flexible, with nickname options like Charlie, Chuck, and Chas built right in. It’s the kind of name that works equally well in a boardroom or a kindergarten classroom.

Pronunciation: KAR-ter

Famous: Jimmy Carter, U.S. president

Pairing: Carter William

Why: Carter has that clean, occupational-surname sound that’s felt right at home on boys for the last two decades. It’s easygoing and modern without trying too hard.

Pronunciation: KOHL

Famous: Cole Porter, composer

Pairing: Cole Benjamin

Why: Cole is short, sturdy, and has been a steady favorite since the 90s without ever feeling trendy. It pairs well with almost any longer middle name and ages naturally from toddler to adult.

Pronunciation: KON-er

Famous: Conor McGregor, athlete

Pairing: Connor Michael

Why: Connor has an easy Irish charm and a confident, athletic sound that’s made it a mainstay for years. It’s familiar enough to feel safe but distinctive enough to stand out on a class roster.

Pronunciation: KAM-er-un

Famous: Cameron Diaz, actress

Pairing: Cameron Scott

Why: Cameron carries Scottish clan history but wears it lightly, sounding modern and approachable in any decade. It’s also flexible enough to shorten to Cam for a more casual, everyday feel.

Pronunciation: KLAY-tun

Famous: Clayton Kershaw, athlete

Pairing: Clayton Robert

Why: Clayton has a grounded, all-American feel with a built-in nickname in Clay. It suits a kid who might grow into either a suit and tie or a pair of work boots.

Pronunciation: KUR-tis

Famous: Curtis Mayfield, musician

Pairing: Curtis James

Why: Curtis has a warm, mid-century charm that’s aging back into style after years out of the spotlight. It sounds friendly and dependable, the kind of name that suits a kid at any age.

Pronunciation: KOHL-tun

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Colton Reed

Why: Colton has a rugged, western-tinged sound that’s made it a steady pick over the last twenty years. It feels casual and confident without being flashy.

Pronunciation: CHAYSS

Famous: Chase Elliott, athlete

Pairing: Chase Oliver

Why: Chase is quick, energetic, and easy to say in one breath, which makes it a natural favorite for active kids. It’s been a reliable pick for decades and still feels fresh today.

Pronunciation: KOH-dee

Famous: Buffalo Bill Cody, frontiersman

Pairing: Cody Thomas

Why: Cody has a friendly, easygoing sound that peaked in the 90s and is now settling into a comfortable, familiar classic. It suits a laid-back kid who’s easy to be around.

Pronunciation: KLARK

Famous: Clark Kent, Superman’s alter ego

Pairing: Clark Emerson

Why: Clark has a clean, no-nonsense sound with a bit of superhero shine thanks to its most famous bearer. It suits a kid who’s steady, dependable, and quietly capable.

Pronunciation: KRAYG

Famous: Daniel Craig, actor

Pairing: Craig Alistair

Why: Craig is a sturdy, mid-century Scottish classic that’s due for a comeback among parents who want something simple and strong. It’s easy to spell and impossible to shorten wrong.

Pronunciation: KLIF-erd

Famous: Clifford, the Big Red Dog

Pairing: Clifford Douglas

Why: Clifford has an old-school warmth and a friendly, familiar shortening in Cliff. It’s the kind of name that feels comforting rather than stuffy.

Pronunciation: SEE-sil

Famous: Cecil B. DeMille, filmmaker

Pairing: Cecil Frederick

Why: Cecil has a gentle, old-fashioned charm that’s quietly working its way back into style. It suits parents who like vintage names without the popularity of a Henry or Theodore.

Pronunciation: KOR-ee

Famous: Cory Monteith, actor

Pairing: Cory Nathaniel

Why: Cory has a soft, approachable sound that was a defining favorite of the 80s and 90s. It still reads as warm and friendly today, just a little less common than it used to be.

Pronunciation: KAL-vin

Famous: Calvin Klein, designer

Pairing: Calvin Reed

Why: Calvin has a crisp, tailored feel with a playful side thanks to Calvin and Hobbes. It shortens easily to Cal for everyday use while staying dignified on paper.

Pronunciation: KOL-in

Famous: Colin Firth, actor

Pairing: Colin Matthew

Why: Colin is understated and polished, a name that’s been quietly reliable for decades without ever peaking too hard. It reads as smart and a little charming, in the best English-gentleman way.

Pronunciation: KRIS-chun

Famous: Christian Bale, actor

Pairing: Christian Paul

Why: Christian states its meaning plainly, which makes it a popular choice for families who want their faith reflected directly in a name. It also sounds sleek and modern despite its ancient roots.

Pronunciation: KOZ-mas

Famous: Saint Cosmas, patron of physicians

Pairing: Cosmas Elijah

Why: Cosmas is an underused saint’s name with real gravity and an unusual sound for a boy today. It suits a family drawn to early Christian history and names with a scholarly feel.

Pronunciation: kor-NEEL-yus

Famous: Cornelius, biblical centurion

Pairing: Cornelius Ray

Why: Cornelius has an old-fashioned formality that’s aging into cool again, especially with Neil or Cory as everyday nicknames. It carries genuine biblical weight while still leaving room for a casual, kid-friendly shortening.

Pronunciation: KLEE-tus

Famous: Pope Cletus, early church leader

Pairing: Cletus Owen

Why: Cletus is a genuine early-papal name that’s mostly been forgotten outside of pop culture references. For a family that wants something historically real and truly rare, it’s a conversation starter with substance behind it.

Pronunciation: KLEM-ent

Famous: Pope Clement, multiple church leaders

Pairing: Clement Joseph

Why: Clement carries a gentle meaning that matches its soft, rounded sound, and it has centuries of papal history behind it. It’s a quietly distinguished pick for parents who want depth without flash.

Pronunciation: koh-LUM-bah

Famous: Saint Columba, founder of Iona Abbey

Pairing: Columba Rhys

Why: Columba carries the gentle symbolism of peace built right into its meaning, and its ties to Scottish and Irish monastic history give it real substance. It’s unusual enough to feel distinctive while still rooted in something ancient and real.

Pronunciation: KAS-par

Famous: Caspar, one of the traditional Three Wise Men

Pairing: Caspar Elliot

Why: Caspar has a storybook warmth thanks to its nativity roots and its European popularity outside the U.S. It sounds friendly and a little whimsical without losing its historical grounding.

Pronunciation: KAN-dih-dus

Famous: Saint Candidus, early Christian martyr

Pairing: Candidus Marc

Why: Candidus is a rare early-church name that carries a clean, honest meaning few modern names can match. It suits a family drawn to Latin roots and names with real historical weight.

Pronunciation: SIH-ril

Famous: Saint Cyril of Alexandria, church father

Pairing: Cyril Anders

Why: Cyril has a scholarly, old-world weight thanks to its ties to early church theology and the Cyrillic alphabet. It’s uncommon today but carries real substance for a family that likes names with history baked in.

Pronunciation: KRIS-pin

Famous: Saint Crispin, patron of shoemakers

Pairing: Crispin Oliver

Why: Crispin has a bright, playful sound with real saintly roots and a famous Shakespearean shoutout in Henry V. It’s a distinctive choice for a family that wants literary and religious history in one name.

Pronunciation: KAN-iss

Famous: Saint Canice, namesake of Kilkenny

Pairing: Canice Malachy

Why: Canice carries deep Irish monastic history, tied to one of the country’s most important early saints. It’s rare, gentle-sounding, and rich with meaning for a family with Irish Catholic roots.

Pronunciation: KHREE-stos

Famous: Common Greek Orthodox given name

Pairing: Christos Nikolaos

Why: Christos is the direct Greek root behind Christopher and Christian, worn with pride across Greek Orthodox communities. It has a strong, resonant sound that stands confidently on its own.

Pronunciation: KUTH-bert

Famous: Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne

Pairing: Cuthbert Isaac

Why: Cuthbert has a charming, old English monastic pedigree tied to one of Britain’s most beloved early saints. It’s unmistakably vintage, the kind of name that stands out precisely because almost no one uses it anymore.

Pronunciation: SEE-der

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cedar Wolf

Why: Cedar has a woodsy, grounded sound straight out of the forest, strong yet easy to say. It suits parents who lean toward nature names without going overly delicate.

Pronunciation: KAN-yun

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Canyon James

Why: Canyon feels wide-open and adventurous, evoking sun-baked landscapes and long road trips. It’s a bold, modern nature name for parents who want something big and geographic.

Pronunciation: KLOWD

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cloud Everett

Why: Cloud is soft, airy, and a little unexpected, the kind of name that stands out at any playground roll call. It suits parents drawn to minimalist, sky-and-weather-inspired names.

Pronunciation: kas-KAYD

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cascade River

Why: Cascade has real movement in its sound, evoking rushing water and mountain landscapes. It’s an unusual but striking pick for outdoorsy families who want something with energy.

Pronunciation: KLIF

Famous: Cliff Richard, musician

Pairing: Cliff Anderson

Why: Cliff is short, solid, and a little retro in the best way, sturdy and dependable in sound. It suits a family who wants an outdoorsy vintage name that’s easy to say and spell.

Pronunciation: KOHV

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cove Alexander

Why: Cove is short and coastal, calling up quiet water and sheltered shorelines. It’s a gentle, minimalist nature name that still feels sturdy on a boy.

Pronunciation: KROH

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Crow Elias

Why: Crow is bold and a little edgy, drawing on the bird’s reputation for intelligence and resourcefulness. It suits parents who want a nature name with an unconventional, striking edge.

Pronunciation: KON-ih-fer

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Conifer James

Why: Conifer is a genuinely rare botanical name, evoking tall evergreen forests and quiet mountain air. It’s a striking option for parents who want a nature name that almost no one else will have picked.

Pronunciation: KOR-ul

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Coral James

Why: Coral is unexpected on a boy but has a warm, ocean-inspired texture that stands out immediately. It suits a coastal family who wants a nature name with real color and personality.

Pronunciation: KON-dor

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Condor Beckett

Why: Condor is bold and a little wild, drawing on one of the largest flying birds in the world. It’s a striking pick for parents who want a nature name with real power behind it.

Pronunciation: KLINT

Famous: Clint Eastwood, actor

Pairing: Clint Everett

Why: Clint has a rugged, hilltop-settlement meaning and a tough, no-frills sound to match. It suits a family that wants a short, outdoorsy classic with a bit of old-Hollywood grit.

Pronunciation: KAN-tun

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Canton Reid

Why: Canton has a wide-open, geographic feel similar to Canyon but a touch softer. It suits parents who want a place-inspired name that isn’t already common.

Pronunciation: KROOZ

Famous: Cruz Beckham, son of David and Victoria Beckham

Pairing: Cruz Alejandro

Why: Cruz is short, punchy, and has a cool, effortless energy that made it a fast favorite. It works equally well as a first name or a striking middle name.

Pronunciation: KASH

Famous: Johnny Cash, musician

Pairing: Cash Waylon

Why: Cash is blunt, confident, and impossible to forget once you’ve heard it. It’s a favorite among parents who want a short name with real personality behind it.

Pronunciation: KAL

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cal Whitman

Why: Cal works beautifully as a standalone name now, not just a nickname, with a crisp, one-syllable confidence. It’s simple without feeling plain, and it never needs a second glance to spell.

Pronunciation: KOOP

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Coop Daniel

Why: Coop is playful and full of energy, the kind of name that suits a kid who’s always on the move. It’s an easy, likable pick that stands confidently on its own.

Pronunciation: SY

Famous: Cy Young, baseball pitcher

Pairing: Cy Nathaniel

Why: Cy is about as streamlined as a name can get, one syllable with old-fashioned roots and a modern, minimalist feel. It’s a great option for parents who want brevity with a bit of history behind it.

Pronunciation: KOHLT

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Colt Jameson

Why: Colt has an energetic, spirited feel that suits an active kid from the start. It’s short, easy to spell, and carries a bit of rugged western charm.

Pronunciation: KAYD

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cade Michael

Why: Cade is short, smooth, and easy to say from the first attempt, with a soft but confident sound. It’s simple in the best way, a name that never feels like it’s trying too hard.

Pronunciation: KROOZ

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cruze Anthony

Why: Cruze offers the same sharp, confident sound as Cruz with a slightly softened spelling. It’s a great pick for parents who want something familiar but just a little different.

Pronunciation: KOY

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Coy Marshall

Why: Coy is short, soft-spoken, and has a bit of old-timey southern charm. It’s simple, memorable, and rarely repeated on a class list.

Pronunciation: KROOZ

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cruise Everett

Why: Cruise has an adventurous, breezy sound that suits a family who likes names tied to motion and travel. It’s punchy, current, and easy for a young kid to say clearly.

Pronunciation: CHEE-roh

Famous: Ciro Immobile, footballer

Pairing: Ciro Matteo

Why: Ciro is sleek and confident, an Italian classic that’s still rare in the U.S. It has a bright, sun-drenched meaning that suits a warm, sunny personality.

Pronunciation: KHY-im

Famous: Chaim Potok, novelist

Pairing: Chaim Ezra

Why: Chaim carries one of the most meaningful roots in the Hebrew naming tradition, tied directly to the word for life itself. It’s a name with deep resonance for Jewish families and a warm, distinctive sound.

Pronunciation: CHEE-dee

Famous: Chidi, character from The Good Place

Pairing: Chidi Emmanuel

Why: Chidi has a warm, rhythmic sound and a meaning that speaks directly to faith. It’s a beautiful choice for families connecting to Nigerian and West African heritage.

Pronunciation: KAZ-ih-meer

Famous: Saint Casimir, patron of Poland and Lithuania

Pairing: Casimir Bogdan

Why: Casimir has a regal, old-world sound with centuries of Polish royal history behind it. Its nickname Cas or Cazi offers an easy everyday option for a name that’s a mouthful on formal documents only.

Pronunciation: CHEE-keh

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Chike Obinna

Why: Chike is short, strong, and rhythmically satisfying to say out loud. It carries a bold spiritual meaning wrapped in a name that’s easy for a young child to grow into.

Pronunciation: KEER-an

Famous: Ciarán Hinds, actor

Pairing: Ciaran Douglas

Why: Ciaran has an unmistakably Irish sound with genuine saintly history behind it. It’s distinctive without being difficult, once you know the pronunciation is nothing like the spelling suggests.

Pronunciation: KOS-tas

Famous: Costas Mandylor, actor

Pairing: Costas Nikolas

Why: Costas is a friendly shortened form of Konstantinos with a sturdy, reliable meaning behind it. It has an easy, welcoming sound that carries strong Greek heritage.

Pronunciation: JEM

Famous: Cem Yılmaz, comedian

Pairing: Cem Kaan

Why: Cem is short and striking, tied to an old Persian royal legend that gives it real depth. It’s rare in the West but instantly recognizable across Turkey.

Pronunciation: CHUNG

Famous: Common Chinese given name

Pairing: Cheng Wei

Why: Cheng is short, confident, and carries an optimistic meaning tied directly to achievement. It’s a clean, strong pick for families honoring Chinese heritage.

Pronunciation: kah-tah-LEEN

Famous: Common Romanian given name

Pairing: Catalin Andrei

Why: Catalin is the Romanian form of Katherine’s root, giving it a soft, romantic sound rarely heard outside Eastern Europe. It’s a graceful option for a family connecting to Romanian roots.

Pronunciation: KUL-um

Famous: Colm Meaney, actor

Pairing: Colm Patrick

Why: Colm is the compact Irish form behind Callum and Columba, carrying the same peaceful meaning in a shorter package. It’s simple to say but distinctly Irish in a way that Callum has lost through overuse.

Pronunciation: CHEE-mah

Famous: Common Nigerian given name

Pairing: Chima Kelechi

Why: Chima has a warm, confident sound and a meaning rooted in faith and trust. It’s a strong choice for families honoring Igbo heritage.

Pronunciation: KON-al

Famous: Conall Cernach, hero of Irish mythology

Pairing: Conall Fitzgerald

Why: Conall has a mythic, fierce meaning tied to one of Ireland’s great legendary warriors. It’s a strong, distinctive alternative to the more common Connor.

Pronunciation: KAS-pee-an

Famous: Prince Caspian, character in The Chronicles of Narnia

Pairing: Caspian Rhys

Why: Caspian has surged thanks to its literary roots and adventurous, storybook feel. It sounds bold and a little exotic without being hard to say or spell.

Pronunciation: KREED

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Creed Anthony

Why: Creed has a strong, confident meaning and a sound that’s punchy and modern. It’s become a fast favorite among parents drawn to short, values-driven names.

Pronunciation: KY-roh

Famous: Cairo, capital of Egypt

Pairing: Cairo Malik

Why: Cairo has a confident, worldly sound with a genuinely triumphant meaning baked in. Its rise as a place-name pick makes it feel current without losing its historical roots.

Pronunciation: KASH-us

Famous: Cassius Clay, birth name of Muhammad Ali

Pairing: Cassius Theo

Why: Cassius has a bold, athletic energy thanks to its famous boxing history, paired with an elegant Roman sound. It’s climbing fast among parents who want a strong classical name with real presence.

Pronunciation: KAL-um

Famous: Callum Turner, actor

Pairing: Callum Bruce

Why: Callum has climbed steadily thanks to its gentle meaning and easygoing Scottish sound. It manages to feel both current and timeless at once, which is a hard balance to strike.

Pronunciation: KON-rad

Famous: Conrad, character from The Summer I Turned Pretty

Pairing: Conrad Isaiah

Why: Conrad has jumped back into favor thanks to pop culture, but the appeal goes deeper than that. It’s a sturdy, old-fashioned name with a confident meaning that suits a thoughtful kid.

Pronunciation: KROZ-bee

Famous: Sidney Crosby, athlete

Pairing: Crosby Lane

Why: Crosby has an easygoing, athletic sound that’s picked up momentum in recent years. It works well as a first or middle name and carries a casual, likable energy.

Pronunciation: KAY-toh

Famous: Cato the Elder, Roman statesman

Pairing: Cato Elias

Why: Cato is short, sharp, and carries real Roman gravitas behind its two easy syllables. It’s climbing fast among parents who like a name with ancient roots and modern brevity.

Pronunciation: KROM-wel

Famous: Oliver Cromwell, English statesman

Pairing: Cromwell Jasper

Why: Cromwell has a commanding, historical presence and a great built-in nickname in Crom or Well. It suits a family who wants a surname-style name with real English weight.

Pronunciation: SEE-fus

Famous: Cephas, the Aramaic name for the apostle Peter

Pairing: Cephas Elliott

Why: Cephas carries the same meaning as Peter but sounds entirely fresh, since almost nobody uses the original Aramaic form. It’s a name with real linguistic history for a family who wants something unexpected.

Pronunciation: KOO-per

Famous: Bradley Cooper, actor

Pairing: Cooper Dean

Why: Cooper has a warm, occupational-surname charm and a sound that’s remained popular for over a decade without slowing down. It’s friendly, easy to say, and pairs well with almost anything.

Pronunciation: KUR-ij

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Courage Daniel

Why: Courage is a virtue name in its most direct form, bold and unmistakable in meaning. It suits parents who want a name that doubles as a life motto for their son.

Pronunciation: KON-stan-teen

Famous: Constantine the Great, Roman emperor

Pairing: Constantine Leo

Why: Constantine carries genuine imperial history and a meaning built around steadiness and resolve. It’s a lot of name, but the nickname Con or Costa keeps it approachable day to day.

Pronunciation: KON-kwest

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Conquest Miles

Why: Conquest is a bold, unusual choice that leans directly into a meaning of triumph and determination. It’s not for every family, but for parents who want something fearless, it delivers.

Pronunciation: SED-rik

Famous: Cedric Diggory, character in Harry Potter

Pairing: Cedric Oswald

Why: Cedric has a noble, generous meaning and a gentle heroism attached to it through popular fiction. It’s distinguished without being overly formal, and it wears well from childhood into adulthood.

Pronunciation: CHEEF

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Chief Roman

Why: Chief is about as direct a leadership name as they come, bold and confident from the first syllable. It suits parents who want something unconventional and unapologetically strong.

Pronunciation: kah-NOOT

Famous: King Cnut the Great, Viking ruler of England

Pairing: Canute Erik

Why: Canute carries real Viking royal history and a rugged, commanding sound to match. It’s a fearless pick for parents drawn to Norse legend and names with a hard edge.

Pronunciation: KROWN

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Crown Elias

Why: Crown is about as direct a statement of significance as a name can make, bold and instantly memorable. It suits parents who want something unconventional with an unmistakable sense of confidence.

Pronunciation: KAWL-der

Famous: Alexander Calder, sculptor

Pairing: Calder Fitzgerald

Why: Calder has a tough, elemental meaning tied to rushing water over stone, paired with real artistic pedigree. It’s sturdy and a little unexpected, a name that suits a determined kid.

Pronunciation: CHAM-pee-un

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Champion Reed

Why: Champion leaves nothing to interpretation, a bold declaration of strength and victory from the very first syllable. It’s not a shy choice, but for parents who want a name with sheer force behind it, it delivers.

Pronunciation: kah-LIS-trah-tus

Famous: Callistratus, ancient Athenian orator and statesman

Pairing: Callistratus Theo

Why: Callistratus is about as rare as Greek names get today, with a grand, sweeping sound that few kids will ever share. It suits a family that wants a name with genuine classical scholarship behind it, likely worn day to day as Cal.

Pronunciation: KOR-vin

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Corvin Blake

Why: Corvin has a dark, striking sound tied to the raven, a bird long associated with intelligence and mystery. It’s genuinely rare while still sounding polished and complete.

Pronunciation: KIN-eh-deh

Famous: Root of the surname Kennedy

Pairing: Cinneide Fionn

Why: Cinneide is the original Irish form behind the familiar surname Kennedy, making it a rare but authentic choice. It suits a family that wants deep Irish roots and doesn’t mind teaching a new pronunciation.

Pronunciation: KLOH-vis

Famous: Clovis I, first king of the Franks

Pairing: Clovis Adrien

Why: Clovis has genuine royal French history behind it, tied to the first king to unite the Frankish tribes. It’s bold and unusual, a name with far more substance than familiarity might suggest.

Pronunciation: KEE-vin

Famous: Saint Caoimhín of Glendalough

Pairing: Caoimhin Padraig

Why: Caoimhin is the original Irish spelling behind the familiar name Kevin, carrying centuries more history in its native form. It’s a gorgeous, gentle-meaning pick for families with a strong Irish connection.

Pronunciation: kas-WAL-on

Famous: Caswallon, ancient British king who resisted Julius Caesar

Pairing: Caswallon Rhys

Why: Caswallon is a true rare find, tied to an ancient British king with a real place in Roman-era history. It’s a bold, unusual choice for parents who want a name with almost nobody else sharing it.

Pronunciation: KEE-nan

Famous: Saint Cianán of Duleek

Pairing: Cianan Bartholomew

Why: Cianan is a lesser-known variant of the more familiar Kienan, with real early Irish saintly roots behind it. It’s soft, rhythmic, and genuinely rare for a family who wants Irish heritage without a common spelling.

Pronunciation: kor-NAY-lis

Famous: Cornelis Drebbel, inventor

Pairing: Cornelis Willem

Why: Cornelis is the elegant Dutch form of Cornelius, formal on paper but easily softened to Cees or Kees day to day. It’s a distinguished pick for a family with Dutch roots who wants something rarely heard elsewhere.

Pronunciation: KUL-en

Famous: Modern rising name

Pairing: Cullan Padraic

Why: Cullan is a fresh spin on the more familiar Cullen, carrying a lighthearted, flattering meaning. It’s rare enough to feel distinctive without being difficult for anyone to read or say.

Pronunciation: kris-AN-thos

Famous: Saint Chrysanthus, early Christian martyr

Pairing: Chrysanthos Leon

Why: Chrysanthos is a striking, rarely used Greek name with a genuinely beautiful meaning behind it. It’s a lot of name for a small child, but it grows into something truly memorable, often shortened to Chris in daily use.