meaning ‘a Christian’. Christen is probably the oldest form, followed by Christiana. Others are Christina, Christian(n)e, a feminine form of CHRISTIAN, the Welsh form Crystin, and spellings such as Krystyna, Kristina, Krista and Kristin. The German form, Christel, may have helped the development of the name CRYSTAL. Short forms are Chrissie, Chrissy and Chris and further variants will be found under the Scottish pet form, KIRSTY. Chrissa, Chryssa or Kryssa can be thought of either as a part of this group or as a short form of Charissa (see CHARIS).
Christmas see Noel
Christopher m.
From the Greek meaning ‘bearing Christ’. As a first name it is used in honour of the saint who was believed to have carried the infant Christ to safety across a river. Thus St Christopher became the patron saint of travellers. The popularity of the name in Britain has fluctuated since the 13th century when it was first used, but it is presently a popular choice. The Scottish equivalent of the name was Chrystal or CRYSTAL. Abbreviated forms are Kester, Kit, Chip and Chris. Christie or Christy is a pet form particularly used in Ireland.
Chryssa see Christine
Chrystal see Christopher, Crystal
Chuck see Charles
Chyna f.
Based on the place name China, the name is particularly associated with the singer Chynna Philips, while the form Chyna is associated in the USA with a woman wrestler.
Cian see Keenan
Ciara, Ciaran see Kieran
Cicely see Cecilia
Ciera, Cieran see Kieran, Sierra
Cilla see Priscilla
Cimmie see Cynthia
Cindy f.
A short form of names such as LUCINDA and CYNTHIA, now used as an independent name. It is also spelt Cindi and Cindie.
Ciss, Cissy see Cecilia
Clare, Claire f.
From the Latin meaning ‘clear, famous’. The religious order of the Sisters of St Clara or ‘Poor Clares’, founded in the 13th century, was probably responsible for the rapid spread of the name throughout Europe. The name has been popular for some time. Among the many derivatives are Claribel and Clarinda, which can be shortened to Clarrie.
Clarence m.
In the 14th century LIONEL, son of King Edward III of England, married the heiress of the town of Clare in Suffolk. He was later created Duke of Clarence, the name Clarence meaning ‘of Clare’. This title seems to have been first used as a name in the early 19th century in Maria Edgeworth’s novel Helen.
Clarissa f.
From the Latin meaning ‘brightest, most famous’. It was made popular in the 18th century by Samuel Richardson’s novel Clarissa Harlowe. Clarice is an older form of the name. They share the abbreviation Clarrie with Clara.
Clark m.
The surname meaning ‘a clerk’, used as a first name. Famous users were the actor Clark Gable and in fiction Clark Kent, the everyday name for Superman. Clarke is also found.
Claud m., Claudia f.
From the Roman name, Claudius, itself derived from the Latin meaning ‘lame’. In homage to the Emperor Claudius, who was ruler when Britain was conquered by the Romans, the name was used in this country in the 1st and 2nd centuries. Its use soon lapsed in Britain though not in France where it is spelt Claude and used for either sex. It was from the French that it was revived in Britain in the 16th century by the Scottish family of Hamilton. A derivative is Claudian, and the pet form Claudie can be found. The female form, Claudia, is at the moment the more popular. Two French diminutives are also used: Claudette and Claudine, a name made famous by the novels of Colette.
Claus see Nicholas
Clayton m.
Clayton, from a place name, later a surname, meaning ‘settlement on clay’, is enjoying some popularity in the USA as a boy’s name, as is the shorter Clay. Both are also found spelt with a ‘K’.
Clem, Clemmie see Clement, Clementina
Clement m., Clementina, Clementine f.
From the Latin, meaning ‘mild, merciful’. Clement was the name of an early saint and of several popes. Its abbreviated forms are Clem and Clemmie, which are shared with the feminine forms Clementina and Clementine. Clementine was originally a German form, fashionable during the 19th century, and is now showing signs of returning to popularity. Clemency is also used for girls.
Cleo f.
A shortened form of Cleopatra, from the Greek meaning ‘glory of her father’. The famous Egyptian queen of this name died in 30 BC and it did not take long for her name to become a byword for sexual allure and tragic love. The form Clio is, strictly speaking, the name of the Greek Muse of history.
Clifford m.
There are several places named Clifford (‘ford by the cliff’) in Britain, any of which could become a surname. Towards the end of the 19th century the surname came into use as a first name. It is now most often used in its short form Cliff. Clifton, ‘settlement by the cliff’, is also found.
Clint m.
A short form of Clinton, an aristocratic surname meaning ‘farm by the river Glyme’, used as a first name. The short form has been given fame by the actor, Clint Eastwood.
Clive m.
A surname meaning ‘dweller by the cliff’ which has come to be used as a first name, probably in honour of Robert Clive (1725–1774), known as Clive of India, who was prominent in the British conquest of India.
Clodagh f.
The name of a river in Ireland. It was first used in the 20th century as a first name by the Marquis of Waterford for his daughter. Its use has now spread beyond Ireland.
Cloris see Chloe
Clover f.
This is the flower name used as a first name. Its spread may have been helped by its use for a character in the Katy books by Susan Coolidge. Names such as Clova can be interpreted either as a re-spelling of Clover, or as a feminine form of Clovis (see LEWIS).
Clovis see Lewis
Clyde m.
Clyde is an ancient Scottish river name meaning ‘the washer’, possibly from the name of a local goddess and used since before the Roman occupation. It became a surname, then a first name.
Cody f. and m.
This is said to be an Irish surname meaning ‘descendant of a helpful person’. It has been popular in the United States, where it is also a place name and well known as the surname of the Wild West hero, Buffalo Bill Cody. Codey and spellings with ‘K’ have also been recorded. Codi(e) is the spelling most often used for girls.
Coinneach see Kenneth
Colby m.
An English place name and surname, now used as a first name in the USA where it grew steadily in popularity in the early 1990s. The name originally indicated a farmstead owned by a Norseman called Koli. Colton, however, comes from a place name meaning ‘farm by the River Cole’.
Colette f.
From a French diminutive of NICOLA. It was the name of the 15th-century reformer of the ‘Poor Clares’ religious order. The name is best known in this country as the pen-name of a 20th-century French writer. It is also spelt Collette. The masculine name Cole comes from NICHOLAS.
Colin m.
This has a similar origin to COLETTE, for it was a French pet form of NICHOLAS. In Scotland, it was also interpreted as coming from the Gaelic word cailean, meaning ‘puppy’ or ‘youth’. There are rare feminine forms Colina and Colinette.
Colleen f.