Names  - Origins 

CABLE: From the Old French for "rope." Relatives: Cabel, Cab. Namesake: Cab Calloway.

CAITLIN: An Irish or Welsh variation of Catherine. One of the most popular names of the last few years. The "Jennifer" of the late 1980s. Sometimes pronounced "CAT-lin." Relatives: Caitlyn, Kaitlin, Kaitlyn, Katelyn, Catelyn. Namesake: Caitlin Thomas (wife of Dylan.)

CALANDRA: Greek for "lark." Very pretty, with strong nicknames. Relatives: Callie, Cally, Cal.

CALDER: Old English for "river of stones." An interesting choice, hip but not too trendy. Relatives: Caulder, Cal. Namesake: Alexander Calder.

CALDWELL: Old English for "cold spring." Relatives: Cadwell, Cadmus. Namesake: Erskine Caldwell.

CALEB: From the Hebrew for "bold" or "dog." An Old Testament favorite. Caleb was one of twelve men sent by Moses to determine whether the Israelites could sucessfully invade Canaan. Relatives: Cale, Cal. Namesake: Cale Yarborough.

CALHOUN: Old English for "warrior." Namesake: John Calhoun.

CALLIS: Latin for "cup." Pretty and unusual. Relatives: Callys, Calla. Namesake: Calla lily.

CALVIN: Latin for "bald." Think about it for a girl. Relatives: Calvyn, Calvinnia. Namesakes: Calvin Coolidge, Calvin Klein, "Calvin and Hobbes."

CAMERON: Old English for "bent nose." Don't be put off by its orginal meaning; this is a beautiful name. Relatives: Camm, Cam, Cammie, Camyron. Namesakes: Cameron Mitchell, John Cameron Swayze, Richard Cameron.

CAMILLE: Liatin for "attendant at a religious ceremony." The heroine of an Alexandre Dumas play, which was in turn the bassis for Verdi's opera LA TRAVIATA. And we all remember Garbo's "I vant to be alone." Relatives: Camilla, Camila, Camelia, Cammilla, Cammie, Cammy, Kamilla, Kamille, Mila. Namesake: "Camile."

CAMPBELL: From the French for "beautiful field." A traditional Scottish name despite the French origins. Relative: Camp. Namesakes: Glen Campbell, Campbell's soup.

CANDACE: From the Greek for "white-hot." A favorite name of early Ethiopian queens. Relatives: Candice, Candys, Candy, Candie, Candi. Namesakes: Candace Stevenson, Candice Bergen.

CARA: Latin for "dear." Increasingly popular either with the "c" or with the "k." Relatives: Kara, Carra, Karra. Namesakes: Kara Kennedy, "Cara Mia."

CAREW: Latin for "run." Almost exclusively used as a surname but has real potential as a first name. Solid sound, good nickname possibilities. Relatives: Carrie, Carry, Cary, Rew. Namesake: Rod Carew.

CAREY: From the Latin for "dear" and Welsh for "rocky island." Deservedly popular, truly androgynous. Relatives: Cary, Carry, Carrie, Kerry, Kerrie. Namesakes: Cary Grant, Carrie Fisher, Hugh Carey.

CARL: A variation of Charles. This name has dropped out of ashion, and it's hard to understand why. More popular in its feminine form, Carla. Relatives: Karl, Karla, Carol, Caroll, Carlotta, Carlton, Carlisle, Carlyle, Carlie, Carly. Namesakes: Carl Bernstein, Karl Marx, Carroll O'Connor.

CARLETON: Old English for "Carl's town." A nice name. Only the most vehement antismoking activist will be put off by the fact that it is also the name of a cigarette. Relatives: Carlton, Charlton. Namesakes: Carlton Fisk, Jim Charlton.

CARLY: Began as a nickname related to Carla and Carleen, but now stands on its own. "Carly, I love you, darlin', I do." Relatives: Carla, Carleen, Karlie, Karly, Karleen, Karlene, Carlene. Namesake: Carly Simon.

CARLYLE: Old English for "Carl's island." A little pretentious perhaps, but nicknames are available from either syllable. Relatives: Carlisle, Carl, Carlie, Carly, Lyle, Lisle. Namesakes: Thomas Carlyle, Hotel Carlyle.

CARMEN: From the Hebrew for "garden" or "field of fruit," but most popular in Spanish-speaking countries. The origin of this name offers a possible explanation for Ms. Miranda's fruited headgear. Relatives: Carmel, Karmen, Karmel, Carmelita, Karmelita, Carmelle, Karmelle, Carmine, Carmita. Namesakes: Carmen Miranda, Carmen Cozza.

CAROLINE: Feminine form of Charles. An old-fashioned charmer. Relatives: Carolyne, Carolyn, Carolina, Cary, Carly, Carol, Karoline, Karolyne, Karolina, Karolyna, Caro, Karo, Carra, Cara, Carrie, Carry. Namesakes: Caroline Kennedy, Princess Caroline of Monaco

CARSON: "Son of Carr," which is Scandinavian for "marshy land." Namesakes: Carson McCullers, Johnny Carson, Kit Carson

CARTER: Old English for "cart driver." Solid preppie sound, but not excessive. Namesakes: Carter Burden, Carter Smith, Jimmy Carter

CASE: From the Old French for "chest." You could make a case for this as a first name. Namesake: Case Western Reserve University.

CASSANDRA: The original prophet of doom, in classical mythology, but the name has a pleasant sound to it. Relatives: Cassie, Cass, Sandra, Sandy. Namesake: "Mama" Cass Elliot

CATHERINE: From the Greek for "pure." Ever popular always in good taste. A can't-miss with endless variations. Relatives: Cathryne, Kathryn, Katherine, Katharine, Cathy, Kathie, Catie, Cadie, Caddie, Katie, Kate, Katryn, Katrina, Catrina, Trina, Cathleen, Kitty, Cate, Cat, Catriana. Namesakes: Catherine the Great, Catherine Olim, Kathryn Harrold, Katharine Hepburn

CECILIA: From the Latin for "blind." A traditional upper-crust name. Relatives: Cecil, Cecelia, Celia, Cecily, Cicely, Cissy, Sissy. Namesakes: Cecily Cardew, Cicely Tyson, Sissy Spacek, Cecil B. DeMille.

CEDRIC: A combination of Welsh for "bounty" and "spectacle." Relatives: Cedrick, Cedrych, Cerdric. Namesakes: Sir Cedri Hardwick.

CELESTE: Latin for "heavenly." A beautfiul name, but some may have endure a few taunts about Babar's wife. Namesakes: Celeste Holm, "Queen Celeste."

CHAD: Old English for "warlike." Relative: Chadwick. Namesakes: Chad Everett, Chad and Jeremy.

CHAIM: Hebrew for "life." People will always be drinking a toast to this child. Relatives: Cahyim, Cahyyam, Haim, Haym, Cahya. Namesake: Chaim Potok.

CHANCELLOR: Old French for "secretary." A little highfalutin unless it really is a family name. Relatives: Chance, Chauncey. Namesakes: Chauncey Howell, Chancellor Green, John Chancellor.

CHANDLER: French for "candle maker." Surname used as a first name.
Relatives: Chan, Chaney. Namesake: Raymond Chandler, "Chandler Bing."

CHANNING: Old English for "knowing." Namesakes: Stockard Channing, Carol Channing

CHARITY: From the Latin for "affection." One of the virtue names popular with the Puritans. The return to conservative values may bring these names back. Namesakes: Charity Blackstock, Sweet Charity

CHARLES: Old English for "manly." Popularized by Charlemagne; a favorite ever since. Nicknames to suit every taste. Relatives: Charlie, Charley, Charlton, Chuck, Chas, Chaz, Chip, Chuck, Carlos, Chico, Chick. Namesakes: Prince Charles, Charles Boyer, Charlton Heston, Chick Corea, Chuck Yeager, Charlie "Bird" Parker, Chico Marx, Carlos Baker.

CHARLOTTE: Feminine of Charles. A lovely old-fashioned name enjoying a deserved surge in popularity. Relatives: Charlie, Carlotta, Lottie, Lotte, Charlene, Charmaine, Charmayne, Charlayne, Chatzie. Namesakes: Charlotte Brontë, Charlotte Russe, Charlotte's Web.

CHASE: From the Old French for "hunter." Namesakes: Chase and Sanborn coffee, Chase Manhattan Bank.

CHELSEA: Old English for "river landing place." The Jane Fonda character in On Golden Pond. There are lots of little Chelseas around these days. Relatives: Chelsie, Kelsie, Kelsey, Kelsy. Namesakes: Linda Kelsey, "Chelsea Morning'.

CHERYL: From the French for "loved." A large group of names are available with the Cher prefix. Relatives: Sherryl, Sherryll, Sherrill, Sheryl, Cheryle, Sheryle, Cher, Cherrie, Cherry. Namesakes: Cheryl Tiegs, Cher, Cheryl Ladd, Sherrill Milnes, "Cherry Ames"

CHESTER: From the Latin for "camp." A nice name, but unfortunately conjures up images of an Old West deputy with a limp and a squeaky voice. Relatives: Chet, Ches, Chess. Namesakes: Chester Arthur, Chet Huntley, Chet Atkins.

CHEVY: From the French for "knight" and Old English for "chase" or "hunt." Relatives: Chevie, Chevalier. Namesakes: Chevy Chase, Maurice Chevalier.

CHILTON: Old English for "farm by the spring." Unusual choice; yours will likely be the only one in his/her grade. Relatives: Chill, Chil, Chilly.

CHLOE: A minor goddess and Greek for "blooming." A beautiful name; trendy but worth the risk. Relatives: Cloe, Cloris, Chloris. Namesakes: Daphnis and Chloë, Cloris Leachman.

CHRISTIAN: Greek for "anointed." A tough name to handle if a bar mitzvah is in your child's future. Relatives: Christiaan, Kristian, Chris, Chrestian, Karston, Karstan, Kristo, Cristo, Christo. Namesakes: Christiaan Barnard, Fletcher Christian

CHRISTINA: Feminine of Christian. Take your pick from the wide assortment. Relatives: Christine, Kristen, Kristin, Kristine, Kirsten, Kristina, Chris, Christie, Kris, Christiana, Christa. Namesakes: Christine Lahti, Chris Evert, Christie Brinkley, Kirstie Alley.

CHRISTOPHER: Greek for "Christ-bearer." Adorable for a little boy; A.A. Milne was no fool. Matures nicely as well. Relatives: Kristofer, Christof, Kristof, Chris, Kris, Kit, Christophe, Kester, Cristobel. Namesakes: Kris Kristofferson, Kit Carson, Kris Kringle, Christopher Columbus, "Christopher Robin."

CLAIBORNE: Old English for "born of the earth." A group of names with a nice patrician ring. Relatives: Clayborne, Claybourne, Claibourne, Clayton, Clay. Namesakes: Claiborne Pell, Henry Clay, Craig Claiborne, Liz Claiborne.

CLAIRE: Latin for "bright, shining." A terrific name. Relatives: Clare, Clara, Clarice, Clarissa, Clarisse, Clarrie. Namesakes: Clara Barton, Clare Boothe Luce, "Clair de Lune."

CLANCY: Irish for "offspring of red-headed soldier." A "faith and begorrah" kind of name. Relatives: Clancey, Clan. Namesakes: John Clancy, Tom Clancy.

CLARENCE: From the Latin for "clear, bright." A favorite from "Leave It to Beaver." Relatives: Claron, Clarendon. Namesakes: Clarence Darrow, Clarence Birdseye.

CLARK: Old English for "cleric." A solid choice; unlikely to offend anyone. Relative: Clarke, Clarkson. Namesakes: Clark Gable, Ramsey Clark, Clarkson Potter, "Clark Kent."

CLAUDE: Latin for "lame." A name that is much more popular in France than in the United States. Relatives: Claud, Claudius, Claudell, Claudia, Claudette, Claudio. Namesakes: Claude Monet, Jean-Claude Killy, Claude Debussy, Claudell Washington, I, Claudius

CLAY: From the German for "adhere." A good name for a child you intend to mold into your own image. Relatives: Clayborne, Clayton. Namesakes: Clay Felker, Adam Clayton Powell, Henry Clay.

CLEMENT: Latin for "merciful." Classy and not often used. Relatives: Clements, Clemens, Clemmons, Clemon, Clem, Clementine, Clementyne. Namesakes: Clement Moore, Roberto Clemente

CLEVELAND: Old English for "land near the hill." Relatives: Cleve, Clive, Cleavon. Namesakes: Cleveland Armory, Grover Cleveland, Clive Barnes, Clive Bell, Cleavon Little.

CLIFFORD: Old English for "hill." Very nice. Relatives: Cliff, Clifton. Namesakes: Clifton Webb, Cliff Robertson, Tim Clifford.

CLINTON: Old English for "town near a hill." Relative: Clint. Namesakes: Clint Eastwood, DeWitt Clinton, William Jefferson Clinton.

CLIO: Greek for "praise." The muse of history. A good choice for the child of advertising execs. Relatives: Clea, Cleo, Cleon, Cleopatra. Namesakes: Cleo Laine, Clio Awards.

CLOVIS: Old English for "clover." Relatives: Clothilde, Clotilde. Namesake: Clovis Ruffin.

CLYDE: Welsh for "heard from afar." Namesake: Bonnie and Clyde.

CODY: Irish for "assistant." Informal but catchy. Relative: Codie. Namesake: Buffalo Bill Cody, Kathy Lee Gifford's son Cody.

COLE: Old English for "coal." Uncommon and very attractive. Relatives: Colby, Coleman, Colemann. Namesakes: Cole Porter, Nat King Cole, Ornette Coleman.

COLIN: Irish for "youth." More widely used in Great Britain, but well worth considering. Relatives: Collin, Collins. Namesake: Jesse Colin-Young.

COLLEEN: Irish for "girl." You can't get much more Irish than this name. Relatives: Colene, Coleen. Namesake: Colleen Dewhurst.

COMFORT: Latin for "strengthen." Another Puritan favorite.

CONAN: Gaelic for "high." Namesakes: Arthur Conan Doyle, Conan the Barbarian, Conan O'Brian.

CONNER: Irish for "desire." Clean and crisp. Relatives: Conners, Connor, O'Conner, O'Connor, Conor. Namesakes: Bart Conner, Jimmy Connors, Cardinal O'Connor.

CONRAD: Old German for "brave counsel." Relatives: Connie, Rad, Konrad, Conroy, Cort. Namesakes: Conrad Aiken, Joseph Conrad.

CONSTANCE: Latin for "faithful." A Puritan virture name that has moved into the mainstream. Relatives: Connie, Constantia, Constanza, Constantine, Constant. Namesakes: Constance Towers, Connie Chung

CONWAY: Welsh for "river." Relative: Conwy. Namesakes: Conway Twitty, Tim Conway.

COOPER: From the Latin for "cask." Not often used as a first name, but it works. Relative: Coop. Namesakes: Gordon Cooper, Cooperstown (N.Y.), "Special Agent Dale Cooper."

CORA: Greek for "maiden." Relatives: Coretta, Corita, Corin, Corina, Coralee, Coralie. Namesakes: Coretta King, Sister Corita.

CORAL: From the Latin for "rock." Namesake: Coral Brown

CORBIN: Old French for "raven." Relatives: Corbett, Corbet, Corby, Corwin, Corwan, Corwyn. Namesake: Corbin Bernsen

CORDELIA: Feminine of Cordell. Also, King Lear's faithful daughter, and the one of the three with the best name. Relatives: Delia, Cordy, Kordelia.

CORDELL: From the Latin for "rope." A little puffed up, but Cord is a nice nickname. Relatives: Cord, Cordas, Cordie, Cordy. Namesake: Cordell Hull.

COREY: Irish for "from the hollow." Relatives: Cory, Corry, Corrie. Namesake: Corey Ames.

CORNELIA: Latin for "horn." Relatives: Cornelius, Cornell, Cornel. Namesakes: Cornelia Guest, Cornel Wilde, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Cornell University.

COURTLAND: Old English for "the king's land." People will think it's a family name. Relatives: Cortland, Court, Cort. Namesakes: "Palmer Courtland," Cortland apple.

COURTNEY: Old English for "from the court." This one conjures up images of prep schools in Connecticut and coming-out parties in Boston. Relatives: Cortney, Cortie, Corey. Namesake: Courtney Kennedy

CRAIG: Irish for "crag." Always a popular choice. Namesakes: Craig Claiborne, Jim Craig.

CREIGHTON: Old English for "town near a creek." Relatives: Creigh, Cree, Crichton. Namesakes: Michael Crichton, Creighton University.

CRESSIDA: From the Greek for "gold." A pretty name, but keep in mind that she was a symbol of infidelity to the ancient Greeks. Having sworn eternal fealty to Troilus, she then betrayed him with Diomedes. Namesake: Troilus and Cressida.

CRISPIN: Latin for "curly." Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers. Relatives: Crispen, Crispus, Crispo, Krispen, Crisp. Namesakes: Crispus Attucks, Quentin Crisp.

CROCKETT: Origin unknown. Generally used as a surname. Namesakes: Davy Crockett, "Sonny Crockett."

CRYSTAL: From the Latin for "clear." For "Dynasty" fans and New Age devotees. Relatives: Chrystal, Christal, Krystal, Kristal, Cristal, Cristale, Cristol, Cristel. Namesakes: Billy Crystal, "Crystal Carrington," Crystal Light.

CULLEN: Irish for "handsome." Relatives: Culley, Cullin. Namesake: William Cullen Bryant.

CURRIER: Old English for "churn." Another surname used as a first name. "Currer Bell" was the pen name of Charlotte Brontë. Relatives: Curran, Currie, Curry, Currey, Curren, Currer. Namesakes: John Curry, Currier and Ives.

CURTIS: From the Latin for "court" and Old French for "courteous." Relatives: Curt, Curtys. Namesakes: Curtis Le May, Curtis Sliwa, Curt Flood.

CUYLER: Irish for "chapel." Very nice.

CYNTHIA: From the Greek for "moon." Traditional and melodic. Relatives: Cindie, Cyndi, Cindy, Cinta, Cintia. Namesakes: Cynthia Gregory, Cyndi Lauper.

CYRIL: From the Greek for "lordly." This ninth-century saint catholicized Russia and invented its alphabet to boot. Relatives: Cyrilla, Cyra, Kryil. Namesakes: Cyril Ritchard, Cyril Connolly, Cyra MacFadden.

CYRUS: Persian for "the sun." Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian empire. Relative: Cy. Namesakes: Cyrus Vance, Cy Young.

~ THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.