Amidst this tapestry of names, those that begin with the letter “C” hold a special allure. In French culture, these names evoke a sense of charm, sophistication, and timeless appeal.
From the classic to the contemporary, French boy names starting with “C” have found enduring popularity both within France and beyond its borders.
50+ French Boy Names Starting With C
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What sets these names apart is not just their melodious sound or their effortless elegance, but also their rich historical roots and cultural resonance.
Whether it’s the regal bearing of Charles, the poetic grace of Clément, or the adventurous spirit of Corentin, each name tells a story of its own, reflecting the diverse tapestry of French heritage.
But what makes French boy names beginning with “C” particularly popular? Perhaps it’s their ability to effortlessly blend tradition with modernity, offering a timeless quality that appeals to parents seeking a name that will stand the test of time. Or maybe it’s the way these names roll off the tongue, their musicality adding an extra layer of charm and sophistication.
In this article of French boy names starting with “C,” we delve into the allure of these names, exploring their meanings, origins, and cultural significance.
Join us on a journey through the enchanting world of French nomenclature, where each name is not just a label but a testament to the rich tapestry of French culture and history.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the meanings, background or history, and pronunciation guides for the 50 French boy names that start with the letter “C”:
Cédric
Meaning “kindly” or “loved one,” Cédric originated from the name Cerdic, an Old English name of uncertain meaning.
Pronunciation: SAY-dreek.
Clément
Derived from the Latin word “clemens,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” Saint Clément was a pope martyred in the 1st century.
Pronunciation: KLAY-mawn.
Charles
Originating from Germanic elements, it means “man” or “warrior.” Numerous kings and rulers throughout history, including Charlemagne, have borne this name.
Pronunciation: SHAHL.
Christophe
A French variant of the name Christopher, which means “bearer of Christ” in Greek. It has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: krees-TOHF.
Cyril
Derived from the Greek name Κύριλλος (Kyriakos), meaning “lordly” or “masterful.” Saint Cyril was a 9th-century Byzantine missionary who, along with his brother Methodius, brought Christianity to the Slavic peoples.
Pronunciation: SEER-eel.
Claude
From the Roman family name Claudius, derived from the Latin word “claudus,” meaning “lame” or “disabled.” It was popularized as a given name by the French writer Claude Garamond in the 16th century. Pronunciation: klohd.
Côme
A French form of the Latin name Cosmas, meaning “order” or “harmony.” Saint Côme was a 4th-century martyr who was beheaded for his Christian faith.
Pronunciation: KOHM.
Constantin
Derived from the Latin name Constantinus, meaning “steadfast” or “constant.” It has been borne by many emperors and saints throughout history.
Pronunciation: kawn-stahn-TEEN.
Clotaire
A Frankish name composed of the elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “her” meaning “army.” Clotaire I was a Merovingian king of the Franks who ruled in the 6th century.
Pronunciation: klo-TAIR.
Cyrille
A French form of the Greek name Kyriakos, meaning “belonging to the Lord.” It has been borne by several saints and popes.
Pronunciation: SEER-eel.
Cyprien
Derived from the Latin name Cyprianus, meaning “from Cyprus.” Saint Cyprian was a 3rd-century bishop of Carthage and a martyr of the early Christian church.
Pronunciation: seep-RYEN.
Clovis
Derived from the Germanic elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “wig” meaning “war.” Clovis I was the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler.
Pronunciation: KLOH-vees.
Christophe
A French variant of the name Christopher, which means “bearer of Christ” in Greek. It has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: krees-TOHF.
César
The French form of the Latin name Caesar, which is of uncertain meaning, possibly derived from Latin “caesaries” meaning “hair” or “from a head of hair.”
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Pronunciation: SAY-zahr.
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Calixte
Derived from the Latin name Calixtus, meaning “most beautiful.” Saint Calixtus was a pope martyred in the 3rd century.
Pronunciation: ka-LEEKST.
Célestin
Derived from the Latin name Caelestinus, meaning “heavenly” or “celestial.” It has been borne by several popes and saints.
Pronunciation: SAY-leh-stan.
Cassien
Derived from the Roman family name Cassianus, which was derived from the Roman name Cassius, possibly meaning “hollow” or “empty.” Saint Cassian was a 3rd-century Christian martyr who was killed for refusing to worship pagan gods.
Pronunciation: kah-SYEN.
Charlot
A diminutive of Charles, meaning “man” or “warrior.” It was popularized by the French comedian Charlie Chaplin, whose stage name was Charlot in French-speaking countries.
Pronunciation: shar-LO.
Côme
A French form of the Latin name Cosmas, meaning “order” or “harmony.” Saint Côme was a 4th-century martyr who was beheaded for his Christian faith.
Pronunciation: KOHM.
Clovis
Derived from the Germanic elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “wig” meaning “war.” Clovis I was the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler.
Pronunciation: KLOH-vees.
Cyrano
Possibly derived from the Greek word “kyros,” meaning “lord” or “master.” Cyrano de Bergerac was a French dramatist and duelist known for his large nose, which inspired the play “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand.
Pronunciation: see-RAH-no.
Constant
Derived from the Latin name Constantinus, meaning “steadfast” or “constant.” It has been borne by many emperors and saints throughout history.
Pronunciation: kawn-STAHNT.
Cyrille
A French form of the Greek name Kyriakos, meaning “belonging to the Lord.” It has been borne by several saints and popes.
Pronunciation: SEER-eel.
Colin
Derived from the Old French name Col, which means “pup” or “young dog.” It was later Latinized to Colonus, meaning “dweller in a colonial settlement.”
Pronunciation: kaw-LAN.
Césaire
Derived from the Latin name Cæsarius, meaning “long-haired” or “hairy.” Saint Césaire was a 6th-century bishop of Arles who played a prominent role in the early Christian church in France.
Pronunciation: SAY-zer.
Clémentin
A variant of Clément, derived from the Latin word “clemens,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” Pronunciation: KLAY-mawn-TEEN.
Cyprien
Derived from the Latin name Cyprianus, meaning “from Cyprus.” Saint Cyprian was a 3rd-century Carthage bishop and a early Christian church martyr. Pronunciation: seep-RYEN.
César
The French form of the Latin name Caesar, which is of uncertain meaning, possibly derived from Latin “caesaries” meaning “hair” or “from a head of hair.”
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Pronunciation: SAY-zahr.
Clément
Derived from the Latin word “clemens,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” Saint Clément was a pope martyred in the 1st century.
Pronunciation: KLAY-mawn.
Constantin
Derived from the Latin name Constantinus, meaning “steadfast” or “constant.” It has been borne by many emperors and saints throughout history.
Pronunciation: kawn-stahn-ten
Corentin
This name is of Breton origin, derived from the name of the Breton saint Corentin. It means “hurricane” or “tempest.”
Pronunciation: kaw-rahn-TAN.
Christophe
A French variant of the name Christopher, which means “bearer of Christ” in Greek. It has been used in France since the Middle Ages.
Pronunciation: krees-TOHF.
Clovis
Derived from the Germanic elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “wig” meaning “war.” Clovis I was the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler.
Pronunciation: KLOH-vees.
Clotaire
A Frankish name composed of the elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “her” meaning “army.” Clotaire I was a Merovingian king of the Franks who ruled in the 6th century.
Pronunciation: klo-TAIR.
Cosme
Derived from the Greek word “kosmos,” meaning “order” or “decoration.” Saint Cosmas was a 4th-century Christian martyr who, along with his brother Damian, is considered one of the patron saints of physicians and surgeons.
Pronunciation: KOHZM.
Corbin
Derived from the Latin name Corvus, meaning “raven.” In French folklore, the raven is often associated with wisdom and intelligence.
Pronunciation: KAWR-ban.
Césaire
Derived from the Latin name Cæsarius, meaning “long-haired” or “hairy.” Saint Césaire was a 6th-century bishop of Arles who played a prominent role in the early Christian church in France.
Pronunciation: SAY-zer.
Colas
A diminutive of Nicolas, which is derived from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people.” Colas is a popular French nickname for Nicolas.
Pronunciation: koh-LAH.
Clovis
Derived from the Germanic elements “hlud” meaning “famous” and “wig” meaning “war.” Clovis I was the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler.
Pronunciation: KLOH-vees.
Clémentin
A variant of Clément, derived from the Latin word “clemens,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” Pronunciation: KLAY-mawn-TEEN.
Cédric
Meaning “kindly” or “loved one,” Cédric originated from the name Cerdic, an Old English name of uncertain meaning.
Pronunciation: SAY-dreek.
Célestin
Derived from the Latin name Caelestinus, meaning “heavenly” or “celestial.” It has been borne by several popes and saints.
Pronunciation: SAY-leh-stan.
Célestin
Derived from the Latin name Caelestinus, meaning “heavenly” or “celestial.” It has been borne by several popes and saints.
Pronunciation: SAY-leh-stan.
Camille
Originally a Roman family name that became popular during the 19th century in France. It’s derived from the Latin word “camillus,” meaning “attendant” or “acolyte.” Camille is now a unisex name, though historically more common for boys.
Pronunciation: kah-MEE-yuh.
Cyprien
Derived from the Latin name Cyprianus, meaning “from Cyprus.” Saint Cyprian was a 3rd-century Carthage bishop and an early Christian church martyr.
Pronunciation: seep-RYEN.
Célestin
Derived from the Latin name Caelestinus, meaning “heavenly” or “celestial.” Several popes and saints have born it.
Pronunciation: SAY-leh-stan.
Colombe
A French word meaning “dove,” symbolizing peace and purity. It’s sometimes used as a masculine name in France.
Pronunciation: kaw-LAWMB.
Clémentin
A variant of Clément, derived from the Latin word “clemens,” meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” Pronunciation: KLAY-mawn-TEEN.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.