The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz

Caitlen, Caitlene, Caitlenn, Caitline, Caitlinn, Caitlon, Caitlyn, Caitlyne, Caitlynn, Caitlynne, Catelin, Cateline, Catelinn, Catelyn, Catelyne, Catelynn, Catlee, Catleen, Catleene, Catlin, Catlinn, Catlyn, Catlynn, Catlynne, Cayetin, Caylin, Haitian, Kaitlann, Kaitlin, Kaitlinn, Kaitlyn, Kaitlynn, Katelan, Katelin, Katelynn, Kayelin, Kayelyn.

      CAITRIONA. Scottish variation of CATHERINE. Considerably less exotic – and less appealing – when you know it’s pronounced like Katrina. Catriona.

      CALA. Arabic, ‘castle, fortress’. Extremely simple and extremely distinctive – a winning combination, though more often spelled Calla. Calah, Calan, Calla, Callah.

      CALAIS. (kal-LAY) French place name. Undiscovered name of the picturesque northern French port.

      CALANDRA. Greek, ‘lark’. Calista Flockhart opened the door to a whole flock of graceful

      Music Names

       Allegra

       Alto

       Amadea

       Banjo

       Brio

       Cadence

       Calliope

       Calypso

       Clarion

       Corisande

       Danae

       Drum

       Fife

       Guitar

       Harmony

       Harper

       Haydn

       Jaz/Jazz

       Lyric

       Music

       Octavia

       Piano

       Piper

       Viola

      and unusual Greek names like this. Cal, Calan, Calandre, Calandrea, Calandria, Caleida, Calendra, Calendre, Calee, Calley, Calli, Callie, Cally, Kalandra, Kalandria.

      CALANTHA. Greek, ‘lovely flower’. Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names. Cal, Calanthe, Callee, Calley, Calli, Callie, Cally, Kalantha.

      CALEDONIA. Latin, ‘poetic appelation for Scotland’. This is a rhythmic place name appropriate for a child with Scottish roots.

      CALI. Diminutive of any CAL-name. A short form that can stand on its own, though not all that steadily.

      CALICO. English word name. Word name with fashionable o ending that has associations with both the homespun fabric and the mottled cat.

      CALIDA. Spanish, ‘heated’. Unusual but accessible Hispanic choice with stylish sound. Calina, Calinda, Calla, Calli, Callida, Callinda, Kalida.

      

CALIFORNIA. Place name. Has not caught on as much as other place names linked to the American state– Sierra, Marin, West, or even Francisco – probably because of its length.

      

CALISTA. Greek, ‘most beautiful’. Ally McBeal actress Calista Flockhart didn’t just introduce a name (or a body type or a skirt length), she introduced a whole sensibility. Pretty and delicate, it’s definitely worthy of consideration, especially for parents with Greek roots. Cala, Calesta, Calixta, Calla, Callesta, Calli, Callie, Callista, Callixta, Cally, Callysta, Calysta, Kala, Kalesta, Kalista, Kalla, Kallesta, Kalfi, Kallie, Kallista, Kally, Kallysta.

      CALLA. Greek, ‘beautiful’. Flower name more distinctive and delicate than Lily.

      CALLIE. Greek diminutive, ‘beautiful’. This Hallie-esque nickname name is starting to dip, while the sleeker, more nouveau Cali is rising. Cal, Calee, Caleigh, Cali, Calie, Callee, Calley, Calli, Cally, Caly, Kallee, Kaleigh, Kalley, Kalli, Kallie, Kally.

      CALLIOPE. (ka-LYE-oh-pee) Greek mythology name. Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry – and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it would not be the easiest name for a girl lacking such qualities. Callia, Callyope, Kalliope.

      CALVINA. Latin, feminine form of CALVIN. There are several better Cal- names that don’t simply echo a male form. Calvine, Calvinetta, Calvinette.

      

CALYPSO. Greek, ‘she who hides’. Name of a mythological nymph and West Indian music makes a dramatic, rhythmic choice. Calipso, Callypso, Caly, Kallypso, Kalypso, Lypsie, Lypsy.

      CAMBRIA. Place name. Most names that start with Cam- are on the up, so why not this obscure term for Wales as well as for a prehistoric time period? Cambaria, Camberry, Cambie, Cambrea, Cambreah, Cambreia, Cambrie, Cambrina, Cambrya, Cami.

      CAMBRIE. Modern invented name. Cute but slight mix of stylish sounds Cam and Bree. Cambree, Cambreigh, Cambrey, Cambri, Cambry.

      

CAMDEN. Scottish, ‘winding valley’; American and British place name. Newly popular boys’ name could cross over in much the way the related Cameron has. Camdan, Camdin, Camdon, Camdyn, Camdynne, Kamden.

      CAMELLIA. Flower name. Exotic flower name with distinct roots related to the Camille/ Camila group. Could be a floral replacement for Amelia. Camala, Camalia, Camallia, Camela, Camelia, Camelita, Camella, Camellita, Cami, Canunelia, Kamelia, Kamellia.

      CAMEO. Word name. This evocative term for a stone or shell carved in relief could make a striking first name for a girl, though she would have a starring role in her story, rather than a cameo. Cami, Cammeo, Kameo.

      CAMERA. Word name. Late tennis great Arthur Ashe (whose wife was a photographer) pioneered word names when he used this for his daughter. Camara, Kamara, Kamera.

      

CAMERON. Scottish, ‘crooked nose’. Cameron Diaz almost single-handedly transported this sophisticated Scottish male surname into the girls’ camp, where it is proving increasingly popular – though it hasn’t caught up with the boys. The phonetic, more feminine spelling of Camryn is also a possibility. Cam, Camaran, Cameran, Cameren, Cameri, Cameria, Camerin, Camie, Camira, Camiran, Camiron, Camran, Camren, Camrin, Camron, Camry, Camryn, Kameran, Kameren, Kamerin,