Names with "-rose" in Meaning

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.

Calpurnius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name, which was possibly derived from Latin calpar meaning "chalice, cup".

Calvin m English
Derived from the French surname Cauvin, which was derived from chauve meaning "bald". The surname was borne by Jean Cauvin (1509-1564), a theologian from France who was one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. His surname was Latinized as Calvinus (based on Latin calvus "bald") and he is known as John Calvin in English. It has been used as a given name in his honour since the 19th century.... [more]

Calvus m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen meaning "bald" in Latin.

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.

Cam 1 f & m Vietnamese
From Sino-Vietnamese 柑 (cam) meaning "orange (fruit)".

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.

Camden m English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from a place name, perhaps meaning "enclosed valley" in Old English. A famous bearer of the surname was the English historian William Camden (1551-1623).

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.

Cameron m & f English
From a Scottish surname meaning "crooked nose" from Gaelic cam "crooked" and sròn "nose". As a given name it is mainly used for boys. It got a little bump in popularity for girls in the second half of the 1990s, likely because of the fame of actress Cameron Diaz (1972-). In the United States, the forms Camryn and Kamryn are now more popular than Cameron for girls.

Camillus m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen, which is probably of Etruscan origin and unknown meaning. It is probably not related to Latin camillus "a youth employed in religious services". This name was borne by the 16th-century Italian monk Saint Camillus de Lellis.

Campbell m & f English
From a Scottish surname meaning "crooked mouth" from Gaelic cam "crooked" and beul "mouth".

Can m Turkish
Means "soul, life" or by extension "darling, sweetheart" in Turkish, from Persian جان (jān).

Canaan m Biblical
From כְּנַעַן (Kenaʿan), 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.

Candace f English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
From the hereditary title of the queens of Ethiopia, as mentioned in Acts in the New Testament. It is apparently derived from Cushitic kdke meaning "queen mother". In some versions of the Bible it is spelled Kandake, reflecting the Greek spelling Κανδάκη. It was used as a given name by the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. It was popularized in the 20th century by a character in the 1942 movie Meet the Stewarts.

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.

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).

Candide m & f French (Rare), Literature
French form of Candidus or Candida. The French philosopher and author Voltaire used this name for the main character (a male) in his satire Candide (1759). In French candide also means "naive", which is descriptive of the book's protagonist.

Candy f English
Diminutive of Candace. It is also influenced by the English word candy.

Caner m Turkish
From Turkish can meaning "soul, life" and er meaning "man, hero, brave".

Cannon m English
From an English surname, which was derived from Middle English canon, referring to a church official or servant who worked in a clergy house. This name may also be used in reference to the vocabulary word for the large gun, derived from Italian cannone "large tube", from Latin canna "cane, reed".

Cansel f Turkish
Derived from Turkish can meaning "soul, life" and sel meaning "flood, stream".

Cansu f Turkish
From Turkish can meaning "soul, life" and su meaning "water".

Caoimhe f Irish
Derived from Irish caomh meaning "dear, beloved, gentle".

Caolán m Irish
From Irish caol meaning "slender" combined with the diminutive suffix -án.

Caomh m Irish (Rare)
Means "dear, beloved, gentle" in Irish.

Caomhán m Irish (Rare)
From Old Irish Cóemán, derived from cóem "dear, beloved, gentle" combined with a diminutive suffix. This was the name of several early Irish saints.

Capri f English (Modern)
From the name of the picturesque Italian island of Capri. It is likely from Greek κάπρος (kapros) meaning "wild boar", though it could also be of Etruscan origin or from Latin capri meaning "goats".

Caprice f English
From the English word meaning "impulse", ultimately (via French) from Italian capriccio.

Capucine f French
Means "nasturtium" in French. This was the stage name of the French actress and model Capucine (1928-1990).

Cara f English
From an Italian word meaning "beloved" or an Irish word meaning "friend". It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, though it did not become popular until after the 1950s.

Caracalla m Ancient Roman
From Latin caracalla, which referred to a type of hooded tunic worn by the Gauls. This was the agnomen, or nickname, of a 3rd-century Roman emperor.

Caramia f Various (Rare)
From the Italian phrase cara mia meaning "my beloved".

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.

Caratauc m Old Welsh
Old Welsh form of Caradog.

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.

Carey m & f English
From an Irish surname, the Anglicized form of Ó Ciardha, which is a patronymic derived from the given name Ciardha.

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.

Carina 1 f English, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Late Roman
Late Latin name derived from cara meaning "dear, beloved". This was the name of a 4th-century saint and martyr. It is also the name of a constellation in the southern sky, though in this case it means "keel" in Latin, referring to a part of Jason's ship the Argo.

Carita f Swedish
Derived from Latin caritas meaning "dearness, esteem, love".

Carlisa f English (Rare)
Combination of Carla and Lisa.

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.

Carloman m Germanic
From an Old German name derived from karl meaning "man" and man meaning "person, man". This was the name of several Frankish rulers, including the 8th-century Carloman I who ruled jointly with his brother Charlemagne for a time.

Carlyle m English
Variant of Carlisle.

Carme 1 f Galician, Catalan
Galician and Catalan form of Carmel.

Carme 2 f Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Latinized form of Greek Κάρμη (Karme), which was derived from κείρω (keiro) meaning "to shear". This was the name of a Cretan goddess of the harvest.

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.

Carmelo m Spanish, Italian
Spanish and Italian masculine form of Carmel.

Carmen f Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, 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 is the name of a son of Reuben in the Old Testament.

Carmo m & f Portuguese
Portuguese form of Carmel.

Carol 1 f & m English
Short form of Caroline. It was formerly a masculine name, derived from Carolus. The name can also be given in reference to the English vocabulary word, which means "song" or "hymn".

Carolann f English
Combination of Carol 1 and Ann.

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.

Carreen f English (Rare)
Used by Margaret Mitchell in her novel Gone with the Wind (1936), where it is a combination of Caroline and Irene.

Carson m & f English
From a Scottish surname of uncertain meaning. A famous bearer of the surname was the American scout Kit Carson (1809-1868).

Carter m English
From an English surname that meant "one who uses a cart". A famous bearer of the surname is former American president Jimmy Carter (1924-).

Carthach m Old Irish
Means "loving" in Irish. This was the name of two Irish saints, from the 6th and 7th centuries.

Carver m English (Rare)
From an English surname that meant "wood carver".

Carwyn m Welsh
Derived from Welsh caru "to love" and gwyn "white, blessed". This name was created in the 20th century.

Çary m Turkmen
Means "king, tsar" in Turkmen.

Cary m & f English
Variant of Carey. A famous bearer was the British-American actor Cary Grant (1904-1986).

Carys f Welsh
Derived from Welsh caru meaning "love". This is a relatively modern Welsh name, in common use only since the middle of the 20th century.

Casey m & f English
From an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Cathasaigh, a patronymic derived from the given name Cathassach. This name can be given in honour of Casey Jones (1863-1900), a train engineer who sacrificed his life to save his passengers. In his case, Casey was a nickname acquired because he was raised in the town of Cayce, Kentucky.

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).

Casilda f Spanish
Meaning uncertain. This is the name of the 11th-century patron saint of Toledo, Spain. It might have an Arabic origin (Saint Casilda was a Moorish princess), perhaps from قصيدة (qaṣīda) meaning "poem". Alternatively it could be derived from a Visigothic name in which the second element is hilds meaning "battle".

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.

Cason m English (Modern)
From the English surname Cason. It enjoyed a modest level of use in the United States in the early 21st century, due to its similarity to other popular names such as Mason and Jason.

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.

Cassidy f & m English (Modern)
From an Irish surname (Anglicized from Irish Gaelic Ó Caiside), which is derived from the byname Caiside. Very rare as a given name before the 1970s, it established itself in the 80s and then surged in popularity during the 90s.

Cassiel m Judeo-Christian-Islamic Legend
From Hebrew קַפצִיאֵל (Qaftsiʾel), 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).

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.

Cəsur m Azerbaijani
Means "bold, brave" in Azerbaijani.

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.

Catellus m Late Roman
Probably from Latin catulus meaning "young dog, puppy". Saint Catellus was a 9th-century bishop of Castellammare, Italy.

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.

Cathassach m Old Irish
Means "vigilant" in Irish.

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.

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.

Cayden m English (Modern)
Variant of Caden.

Caylee f English (Modern)
Variant of Kaylee.

Cayley f English (Rare)
Variant of Kaylee.

Cayson m English (Modern)
Variant of Cason.

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.

Cecil m English
From the Roman name Caecilius. 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.

Cecilia f English, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, Romanian, Finnish
Latinate feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, which was derived from Latin caecus meaning "blind". Saint Cecilia was a semi-legendary 2nd or 3rd-century martyr who was sentenced to die because she refused to worship the Roman gods. After attempts to suffocate her failed, she was beheaded. She was later regarded as the patron saint of music and musicians.... [more]

Cedar f & m English (Rare)
From the English word for the coniferous tree, derived (via Old French and Latin) from Greek κέδρος (kedros). Besides the true cedars from the genus Cedrus, it is also used to refer to some tree species in the cypress family.

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)".

Çelik m Turkish
Means "steel" in Turkish.

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).

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.

Cennet f Turkish
Means "paradise, garden" in Turkish, derived from Arabic جنّة (janna).

Cennétig m Old Irish
Old Irish byname meaning either "armoured head" or "misshapen head" (Old Irish cenn "head" and étiud "armour, clothing" or étig "ugly, misshapen"). This was the name of an Irish king, the father of Brian Boru.

Cenric m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English cene "bold" and ric "ruler, king".

Ceolmund m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from the Old English elements ceol "keel" and mund "protection".

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.

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.

Ceri f & m Welsh
Meaning uncertain. It could come from the name of the Ceri River in Ceredigion, Wales; it could be a short form of Ceridwen; it could be derived from Welsh caru meaning "to love".

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.

Čestmír m Czech
Derived from the Slavic elements čĭstĭ "honour" and měrŭ "great, famous" or mirŭ "peace, world".

Çetin m Turkish
Means "harsh, hard" in Turkish.

Ceyhun m Turkish, Azerbaijani
From Arabic جيحون (Jayḥūn), from Hebrew גִּיחוֹן (Giḥon), which in the Old Testament is a river originating in the Garden of Eden. The river's name itself is derived from Hebrew גִּיחַ (giyaḥ) meaning "to burst forth". In Islamic tradition it is identified with the Amu Darya, a river in central Asia.

Ceylan f Turkish
Means "gazelle" in Turkish, of Persian origin.

Chaac m Mayan Mythology
From Classic Maya cháak meaning "rain". This was the name of the Maya god of the rain and storms.

Chad m English
From the Old English name Ceadda, which is of unknown meaning, possibly based on Old Welsh cat "battle". This was the name of a 7th-century English saint. Borne primarily by Catholics, it was a rare name until the 1960s when it started to become more common amongst the general population. This is also the name of a country in Africa, though it originates from a different source.

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 采 (chae) meaning "collect, gather, pluck" or 彩 (chae) meaning "colour" combined with 原 (won) meaning "source, origin, beginning". Other hanja combinations can also form this name.

Chae-Yeong f Korean
From Sino-Korean 彩 (chae) meaning "colour" combined with 榮 (yeong) meaning "glory, honour" or 瑛 (yeong) meaning "jade". This name can be formed using other hanja combinations as well.

Chaim m Hebrew
Derived from the Hebrew word חַיִּים (chayim) 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.

Chalkis f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek χαλκός (chalkos) meaning "copper, bronze". According to Greek mythology this was the name of a naiad, said to be the namesake of the city of Chalkis on Euboia.

Chaminda m Sinhalese
Meaning unknown.

Chamutal f Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew form of Hamutal.

Chan m & f Khmer
Means "moon" in Khmer, ultimately from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candra).

Chance m English
Originally a diminutive of Chauncey. It is now usually given in reference to the English word chance meaning "luck, fortune" (ultimately derived from Latin cadens "falling").

Chanda f & m Hinduism, Hindi
Means "fierce, hot, passionate" in Sanskrit. This is a transcription of both the feminine form चण्डा (an epithet of the Hindu goddess Durga) and the masculine form चण्ड (the name of a demon).

Chandan m Hindi, Bengali, Odia
Derived from Sanskrit चन्दन (candana) meaning "sandalwood".

Chandana f & m Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Bengali, Sinhalese
Feminine form of Chandan, as well as the Sinhala masculine form.

Chandler m & f English
From an occupational surname that meant "candle seller" or "candle maker" in Middle English, ultimately from Latin candela via Old French. It surged in popularity after the 1994 debut of the American sitcom Friends, featuring a character by this name.

Chandra m & f Hinduism, Bengali, Assamese, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Nepali
Means "moon" in Sanskrit, derived from चन्द (cand) meaning "to shine". This is a transcription of both the masculine form चण्ड (the god of the moon personified) as well as the feminine form चण्डा (spelled with a long final vowel).

Chandrakant m Marathi, Hindi
Means "beloved by the moon", derived from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candra) meaning "moon" and कान्त (kānta) meaning "desired, beloved". This is another name for the moonstone.

Chandrashekhar m Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Odia
Means "crown of the moon", derived from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candra) meaning "moon" and शेखर (śekhara) meaning "crest, peak, crown". This is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva.

Chanel f English
From a French surname that meant either "channel", indicating a person who lived near a channel of water, or "jug, jar, bottle", indicating a manufacturer of jugs. It has been used as an American given name since 1970s, influenced by the Chanel brand name (a line of women's clothing and perfume), which was named for French fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883-1971).

Chang m & f Chinese
From Chinese 昌 (chāng) meaning "flourish, prosper, good, sunlight" (which is usually only masculine), 畅 (chàng) meaning "smooth, free, unrestrained" or 长 (cháng) meaning "long". Other Chinese characters are also possible.

Chang'e f Chinese Mythology
Means "beautiful Chang", from Chinese 嫦 (Chang), a character that refers to the goddess herself, combined with 娥 (é) meaning "beautiful, good". In Chinese mythology this is the name of a goddess of the moon, the wife of the archer Hou Yi. Her original name 姮娥 (Heng'e) was changed to avoid the taboo of sharing a homophonic character with the 2nd-century BC Emperor Wen of Han (personal name Heng).

Channary f Khmer
Means "moon-faced girl" from Khmer ចន្ទ (chan) meaning "moon" and នារី (neari) meaning "woman, girl".

Chantal f French, English, Dutch
From a French surname that was derived from a place name meaning "stony". It was originally given in honour of Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal, the founder of the Visitation Order in the 17th century. It has become associated with French chant "song".

Chanté f African American (Modern)
From French chanter meaning "sing". This spelling corresponds with the past participle, meaning "sung".

Chantrea f & m Khmer
Means "moonlight" in Khmer.

Chao m & f Chinese
From Chinese 超 (chāo) meaning "surpass, leap over" (which is usually only masculine), 潮 (cháo) meaning "tide, flow, damp", or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Chara f Greek
Means "happiness, joy" in Greek.

Charalampos m Greek
Means "to shine from happiness" from Greek χαρά (chara) meaning "happiness" combined with λάμπω (lampo) meaning "to shine".

Chares m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek χάρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Athenian general. It was also borne by the sculptor who crafted the Colossus of Rhodes.

Charilaos m Ancient Greek, Greek
Means "grace of the people", derived from Greek χάρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness" and λαός (laos) meaning "people".

Charis f & m Ancient Greek, Greek
Ancient Greek feminine form of Chares. This was the word (in the singular) for one of the three Graces (plural Χάριτες).... [more]

Charisma f English (Rare)
From the English word meaning "personal magnetism", ultimately derived from Greek χάρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness".

Charissa f English, Dutch
Elaborated form of Charis. Edmund Spencer used it in his epic poem The Faerie Queene (1590).

Charita f Various
Latinate form of Charity.

Chariton m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek χάρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness". This was the name of a 1st-century Greek novelist.

Charity f English
From the English word charity, ultimately derived from Late Latin caritas "generous love", from Latin carus "dear, beloved". Caritas was in use as a Roman Christian name. The English name Charity came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. It is currently most common in parts of English-influenced Africa.

Charizard m Popular Culture
From a blend of the English words char and lizard. This is the name of a dragon-like creature in the Pokémon series of video games starting 1996. Technically the name of the species, it is used as a given name for the creature in some contexts. It is called リザードン (Rizādon) in Japan.

Charlemagne m History
From Old French Charles le Magne meaning "Charles the Great". This is the name by which the Frankish king Charles the Great (742-814) is commonly known.

Charles m English, French
French and English form of Carolus, the Latin form of the Germanic name Karl, which was derived from a word meaning "man" (Proto-Germanic *karlaz). However, an alternative theory states that it is derived from the common Germanic name element *harjaz meaning "army".... [more]

Charlton m English
From a surname that was originally from a place name meaning "settlement of free men" in Old English.

Charmaine f English
Meaning unknown, perhaps a combination of Charmian or the English word charm with the aine suffix from Lorraine. It was (first?) used for a character in the play What Price Glory (1924), which was made into a popular movie in 1926.

Charmion f Ancient Greek (Rare)
Greek name derived from χάρμα (charma) meaning "delight". This was the name of one of Cleopatra's servants, as recorded by Plutarch.

Charna f Yiddish (Rare)
From a Slavic word meaning "black".

Charon m Greek Mythology
Possibly means "fierce brightness" in Greek. In Greek mythology Charon was the operator of the ferry that brought the newly dead over the River Acheron into Hades.

Chase m English
From an English surname meaning "chase, hunt" in Middle English, originally a nickname for a huntsman.

Chaska m Sioux
From Lakota or Dakota čhaské meaning "firstborn son".

Chastity f English
From the English word chastity, which is ultimately from Latin castus "pure". It was borne by the child of Sonny Bono and Cher, which probably led to the name's increase in popularity during the 1970s.

Châu f & m Vietnamese
From Sino-Vietnamese 珠 (châu) meaning "pearl, gem".

Chausiku f Swahili
Means "born at night" in Swahili.

Chavdar m Bulgarian
Derived from a Persian word meaning "leader, dignitary".

Chaya f Hebrew
Derived from Hebrew חָיָה (ḥaya) meaning "living", considered a feminine form of Chaim.

Che m Spanish
From an Argentine expression meaning "hey!". This nickname was acquired by the Argentine revolutionary Ernesto Guevara while he was in Cuba.

Chea m & f Khmer
Means "healthy" in Khmer.

Chelsea f English
From the name of a district in London, originally derived from Old English and meaning "landing place for chalk or limestone". It has been in general use as an English given name since the 1970s.

Chen 1 m & f Chinese
From Chinese 晨 (chén) or 辰 (chén), both meaning "morning". The character 辰 also refers to the fifth Earthly Branch (7 AM to 9 AM), which is itself associated with the dragon of the Chinese zodiac. This name can be formed from other characters as well.

Chen 2 m & f Hebrew
Means "grace, charm" in Hebrew.

Chenda f Khmer
From Pali cintā meaning "thought, care", from Sanskrit चिनता (cintā).

Cheng m & f Chinese
From Chinese 成 (chéng) meaning "completed, finished, succeeded" or 诚 (chéng) meaning "sincere, honest, true", as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Cherie f English
Derived from French chérie meaning "darling". In America, Cherie came into use shortly after the variant Sherry, and has not been as common.

Cherilyn f English
Combination of Cheryl and the popular name suffix lyn.

Cherish f English
From the English word meaning "to treasure".

Chernobog m Slavic Mythology
Means "the black god" from Old Slavic čĭrnŭ "black" and bogŭ "god". According to a few late sources, Chernobog was a Slavic god of misfortune.

Cherokee f & m English (Rare)
Probably derived from the Creek word tciloki meaning "people of a different speech". This is the name of a Native American people who live in the east of North America.

Cherry f English
Simply means "cherry" from the name of the fruit, derived from Latin cerasium, Greek κεράσιον (kerasion). It can also be a diminutive of Charity. It has been in use since the late 19th century.

Chesed f & m Hebrew
Means "kindness, goodness" in Hebrew.

Chesley m & f English (Rare)
From a surname that was originally from a place name meaning "camp meadow" in Old English.

Chester m English
From an English surname that originally belonged to a person who came from Chester, an old Roman settlement in Britain. The name of the settlement came from Latin castrum "camp, fortress".

Chetan m Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada
From Sanskrit चेतन (cetana) meaning "visible, conscious, soul".

Chetana f Marathi, Hindi
Feminine form of Chetan.

Chewbacca m Popular Culture
The name of a Wookiee (a tall shaggy alien) in the Star Wars series of movies, beginning in 1977. Creator George Lucas invented the name by experimenting with different combinations of sounds. It is explained in a later companion book that the name means "honoured friend" in the Wookiee language.

Cheyenne f English
Derived from the Lakota word šahiyena meaning "red speakers". This is the name of a Native American people of the Great Plains. The name was supposedly given to the Cheyenne by the Lakota because their language was unrelated to their own. As a given name, it has been in use since the 1950s.

Chi 1 f Vietnamese
From Sino-Vietnamese 枝 (chi) meaning "branch".

Chi 2 m & f Igbo Mythology, Igbo
Means "god, spiritual being" in Igbo, referring to the personal spiritual guardian that each person is believed to have. Christian Igbo people use it as a name for the personal Christian god (as opposed to the omnipresent Chukwu, though the names are used synonymously in some contexts). This can also be a short form of the many Igbo names that begin with this element.

Chí m Vietnamese
From Sino-Vietnamese 志 (chí) meaning "will, spirit". This was a name adopted by the Vietnamese revolutionary Hồ Chí Minh (1890-1969) in the 1940s.

Chiaki f & m Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" combined with 秋 (aki) meaning "autumn", 晶 (aki) meaning "clear, crystal" or 明 (aki) meaning "bright, light, clear". This name can also be formed from other kanji combinations.

Chiamaka f Igbo
Means "God is more beautiful" in Igbo.

Chibueze m Igbo
Means "God is the king" in Igbo.

Chibuike m Igbo
Means "God is strength" in Igbo.

Chibuzo m & f Igbo
Means "God is the way" in Igbo.

Chidi m & f Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and dị meaning "is". It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chidi.

Chidiebere m & f Igbo
Means "God is merciful" in Igbo.

Chidiebube m & f Igbo
Means "God is wonderful" in Igbo.

Chidiegwu m Igbo (Rare)
Means "God is awe-inspiring" in Igbo.

Chidike m Igbo
Means "God is strong" in Igbo.

Chidimma f Igbo
Means "God is good" in Igbo.

Chidubem m & f Igbo
Means "God is guiding me" in Igbo.

Chie f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" combined with 枝 (e) meaning "branch", 恵 (e) meaning "favour, benefit" or 絵 (e) meaning "picture, painting". Other kanji combinations are also possible.

Chiemeka m & f Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.

Chifundo m & f Chewa
Means "mercy" in Chewa.

Chifuniro m & f Chewa
Means "will, wish" in Chewa.

Chigozie m & f Igbo
Means "God bless" in Igbo.

Chiharu f & m Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" combined with 春 (haru) meaning "spring". Other combinations of kanji characters can form this name as well.

Chihiro f & m Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" and 尋 (hiro) meaning "fathom, armspan", as well as other kanji combinations. This is the name of the main character in the Japanese animated movie Spirited Away (2001).

Chijindum m & f Igbo (Rare)
Means "God holds my life" in Igbo.

Chijioke m Igbo
Means "God holds a portion" in Igbo.

Chika 1 f & m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.

Chika 2 f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand", 智 (chi) meaning "wisdom, intellect" or 散 (chi) meaning "scatter" combined with 佳 (ka) meaning "good, beautiful" or 花 (ka) meaning "flower". Other kanji combinations are also possible.

Chikako f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand", 香 (ka) meaning "fragrance" and 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other kanji combinations can be possible.

Chikara m Japanese
From Japanese 力 (chikara) meaning "power, capability, influence". This name can also be formed by other kanji or combinations of kanji.

Chike m Igbo
Means "God of strength" in Igbo.

Chikere m & f Igbo
Means "God created" in Igbo.

Chikondi m & f Chewa
Means "love" in Chewa.

Chikumbutso m & f Chewa
Means "memory" in Chewa.

Chima m & f Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and má meaning "know".

Chimalma f Aztec and Toltec Mythology
Means "shield hand" in Nahuatl, derived from chīmalli "shield" and māitl "hand". This was the name of an Aztec goddess who was the mother of Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl.

Chimezie m & f Igbo
Means "God rectify" in Igbo.

Chimwala m & f Yao
Means "stone" in Yao.

Chimwemwe m & f Chewa
Means "joy, pleasure" in Chewa.

China f English (Modern)
From the name of the Asian country, ultimately derived from Qin, the name of a dynasty that ruled there in the 3rd century BC.

Chinasa f Igbo
Means "God is answering" in Igbo.

Chinatsu f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" and 夏 (natsu) meaning "summer", as well as other kanji combinations.

Chinedu m Igbo
Means "God is leading" in Igbo.

Chinenye f Igbo
Means "God is giving" in Igbo.

Chingis m Mongolian
Mongolian form of Genghis.

Chinonso m & f Igbo
Means "God is nearby" in Igbo.

Chinwe f Igbo
Means "God possesses" in Igbo. It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chinwe.

Chinweike m Igbo
Means "God possesses power" in Igbo.

Chinwendu f & m Igbo
Means "God possesses life" in Igbo.

Chinweuba m Igbo
Means "God possesses plenty" in Igbo.

Chinyere f Igbo
Means "God gave" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and nyè meaning "give".

Chioma f Igbo
Means "good God" in Igbo, derived from Chi 2, referring to God, and ọ́má meaning "good, beautiful".

Chione f Greek Mythology
From Greek χιών (chion) meaning "snow". In Greek mythology this is the name of a daughter of the north wind Boreas. Another figure by this name is the daughter of the naiad Callirrhoe who was transformed into a snow cloud.

Chipiliro m & f Chewa
Means "perseverance, endurance" in Chewa.

Chipo f Shona
Means "gift" in Shona.

Chirag m Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati
Means "lamp, light" in Hindi and other Indian languages, ultimately from Persian چراغ (cherāgh).

Chiranjivi m Hindi, Telugu
From Sanskrit चिरंजीव (ciraṃjīva) meaning "long-lived, infinite".

Chisom f & m Igbo
Means "God goes with me" in Igbo.

Chisomo m & f Chewa
Means "grace" in Chewa.

Chiumbo m Mwera
Means "small" in Mwera.

Chiyembekezo m & f Chewa
Means "hope" in Chewa.

Chiyo f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" combined with 代 (yo) meaning "generation" or 世 (yo) meaning "world". Other kanji combinations are possible.

Chiyoko f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" and 代 (yo) meaning "generation" and 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other combinations of kanji characters are possible.

Chizoba f & m Igbo
Means "God continues to save" in Igbo.

Chizuko f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" and 鶴 (tsu) meaning "crane (bird)" and 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name.

Chizuru f Japanese
From Japanese 千 (chi) meaning "thousand" and 鶴 (tsuru) meaning "crane (bird)". A Japanese legend says that a person who folds a thousand origami cranes within one year will be granted a wish.

Chlodechilda f Germanic
Frankish name derived from the elements hlut "famous, loud" and hilt "battle". See also Clotilde.

Chloe f English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Means "green shoot" in Greek, referring to new plant growth in the spring. This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter. The name is also mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in the New Testament.... [more]

Chloris f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek χλωρός (chloros) meaning "pale green". Chloris, in Greek mythology, was a minor goddess of vegetation.

Chō f Japanese (Rare)
From Japanese 蝶 (chō) meaning "butterfly".

Chobin m History
From Persian چوبین (Chūbīn), Middle Persian 𐭰𐭥𐭡𐭩𐭭 (Choben) meaning "spear-like". Bahram Chobin was a 6th-century Sasanian general and, for a short period, the king. He received this nickname because he was tall and thin. He appears in the 10th-century Persian epic the Shahnameh.

Chōko f Japanese
From Japanese 蝶 (chō) meaning "butterfly" and 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other kanji combinations can be possible.

Cholpon f Kyrgyz
Means "Venus (planet)" in Kyrgyz.

Chrestos m Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek name derived from Greek χρηστός (chrestos) meaning "useful, good".

Christabel f English (Rare)
Combination of Christina and the name suffix bel (inspired by Latin bella "beautiful"). This name occurs in medieval literature, and was later used by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his 1816 poem Christabel.

Christian m English, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
From the medieval Latin name Christianus meaning "a Christian" (see Christos 1 for further etymology). In England it has been in use since the Middle Ages, during which time it was used by both males and females, but it did not become common until the 17th century. In Denmark the name has been borne by ten kings since the 15th century.... [more]

Christmas m & f English (Rare)
From the name of the holiday, which means "Christ festival".

Christodoulos m Greek, Late Greek
Means "slave of Christ" in Greek, derived from Χριστός (Christos) combined with δοῦλος (doulos) meaning "slave, servant".

Christopher m English
From the Late Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christophoros) meaning "bearing Christ", derived from Χριστός (Christos) combined with φέρω (phero) meaning "to bear, to carry". Early Christians used it as a metaphorical name, expressing that they carried Christ in their hearts. In the Middle Ages, literal interpretations of the name's etymology led to legends about a Saint Christopher who carried the young Jesus across a river. He has come to be regarded as the patron saint of travellers.... [more]

Christos 1 m Theology, Greek
From Greek Χριστός (Christos) meaning "anointed", derived from χρίω (chrio) meaning "to anoint". This was a name applied to Jesus by early Greek-speaking Christians. It is a translation of the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (mashiyaḥ), commonly spelled in English messiah, which also means "anointed".... [more]

Chrizanne f Afrikaans
Combination of Christine and Anne 1 used in South Africa.

Chrysanthos m Greek, Ancient Greek
Means "golden flower" from Greek χρύσεος (chryseos) meaning "golden" combined with ἄνθος (anthos) meaning "flower". This name was borne by a semi-legendary 3rd-century Egyptian saint.

Chryses m Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek χρύσεος (chryseos) meaning "golden". In Greek mythology Chryses was the father of Chryseis, a woman captured by Agamemnon during the Trojan War.

Chrysostomos m Greek
Means "golden mouth", from Greek χρυσός (chrysos) meaning "gold" and στόμα (stoma) meaning "mouth". This was an epithet applied to eloquent orators, notably Saint John Chrysostom, a 4th-century archbishop of Constantinople.

Chthonia f Greek Mythology
Means "of the earth, underground" in Greek, a derivative of χθών (chthon) meaning "earth, ground, soil". This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter.

Chuks m Igbo
Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chukwu meaning "God".

Chukwu m Igbo Mythology
Means "the great god", derived from Igbo chi "god, spiritual being" and úkwú "great". In traditional Igbo belief Chukwu is the supreme deity and the creator the universe. Christian Igbo people use this name to refer to the Christian god.

Chukwudi m Igbo
Means "God exists" in Igbo (a variant of Chidi using Chukwu as the first element).

Chukwuebuka m Igbo
Means "God is greater" in Igbo.

Chukwuemeka m Igbo
Means "God did a greater deed" in Igbo.

Chukwuma m Igbo
Means "God knows" in Igbo (a variant of Chima using Chukwu as the first element).

Chun f & m Chinese
From Chinese 春 (chūn) meaning "spring (season)" or other characters with a similar pronunciation.

Cian m Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish
Means "ancient, enduring" in Irish. In Irish mythology this was the name of the father of Lugh Lámfada. It was also borne by the mythical ancestor of the Ciannachta and by a son-in-law of Brian Boru.

Ciar m & f Irish, Irish Mythology, Old Irish
Derived from Irish ciar meaning "black". In Irish legend Ciar was a son of Fergus mac Róich and Medb, and the ancestor of the tribe of the Ciarraige (after whom County Kerry is named). As a feminine name, it was borne by an Irish nun (also called Ciara) who established a monastery in Tipperary in the 7th century.

Ciardha m Medieval Irish
Irish byname derived from ciar meaning "black".

Çiçək f Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani form of Çiçek.

Çiçek f Turkish
Means "flower, blossom" in Turkish.

Cicero m Ancient Roman
Roman cognomen derived from Latin cicer meaning "chickpea". Marcus Tullius Cicero (now known simply as Cicero) was a statesman, orator and author of the 1st century BC. He was a political enemy of Mark Antony, who eventually had him executed.

Ciel f & m Various (Rare)
Means "sky" in French. It is not used as a given name in France itself.

Ĉiela f Esperanto
Means "heavenly, from the sky" in Esperanto, from ĉielo "sky", ultimately derived from Latin caelum.

Cielo f Spanish
Means "sky, heaven" in Spanish. In Mexico this name was popularized by a character named María del Cielo, called Cielo, on the telenovela Por tu amor (1999).

Çiğdem f Turkish
Means "crocus" in Turkish.