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

Christina, Tina Hawaiian Kilikina

      CIEL. (see-EL) French, ‘sky’. Simple yet evocative, though many will misunderstand it as ‘seal’.

      CILLA. Diminutive of PRISCILLA. Takes the priss out of Priscilla.

      CIMMARON. Place name. A name that conjures up rugged images of the American wild west. Cimeron, Simarron, Simeron.

      CINDERELLA. French, ‘little ash-girl’. One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Cendrillon, Cenerentola, Cindella, Cindie, Cindy, Ella.

      CINDY. Diminutive of CYNTHIA or LUCINDA. Cindy’s gone from cute teenager to peppy mum, but it’s not for her daughter. Cindee, Cindi, Cindie, Cynda, Cyndal, Cyndale, Cyndall, Cyndee, Cyndel, Cyndi, Cyndia, Cyndie, Cyndle, Cyndy, Sindi, Sindie, Sindy, Syndi, Syndie, Syndy.

      CINNABAR. Word name. Associated with a vivid red-orange-coloured lacquer, would make a more than distinctive colour-related choice.

      CINNAMON. Word name. The only spice name we have a taste for is Saffron. Cynnamon, Sinemmon, Sinnamon.

      CIPRIANA. Greek, ‘from the Island of Cyprus’. Offbeat and exotic place name.

      CIRCE. (SUR-see) Greek mythology name. In The Odyssey, she’s the nymph who can turn men into swine.

      CITRON. French, ‘lemon’. Gallic twist on word or nature name, has a nice lemony feel.

      

CLAIRE. French variation of CLARE. Luminous, simple and strong, Claire is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though it’s enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Great middle name choice as well. Ceara, Cearra, Cheeara, Ciara, Ciarra, Clair, Claireen, Claireta, Clairey, Clairice, Clairinda, Clairine, Clairissa, Clairita, Clairy, Clarabel, Clarabelle, Clare, Clarene, Claresta, Clareta, Clarey, Clari, Claribel, Claribella, Claribelle, Clarice, Clarie, Clarinda, Clarine, Clarisse, Clarita, Clarrie, Clarry, Clary, Claryce, Clayre, Clayrette, Clayrice, Clayrinda, Clayrissa, Cliara, Clorinda, Klaire, Klare, Klaretta, Klaryce, Klayre, Kliara, Klyara, Sinclair, Sinclaire. International: Clairette, Clarette (French), Chiara, Chiarina, Claretta, Clarina, Clarissa (Italian), Clareta, Clarisa, Clarita (Spanish), Clarissa, Klarissa (German), Klarika (Hungarian), Klara (Slavic), Kalea (Hawaiian).

      

CLANCY. Irish ‘red-haired warrior’. Irish surnames are hot, and this one can cross the line to work for girls, replacing the outdated Casey.

      CLARA. Latin, ‘bright, clear’. European-sounding Claire variation that was hugely popular a century ago, and is just starting to revive today, picked up on by parents like Ewan McGregor. Claira, Claire, Clarabelle, Claramae, Claramay, Clare, Claresta, Claretha, Clarey, Clari, Claribel, Clarie, Clarina, Clarinda, Clarine, Claris, Clarisse, Claritza, Clarry, Clary, Claryce, Cleriese, Klara, Klarice, Klarise, Klarra. International: Clarice, Clarissa (Italian), Clarita (Spanish).

      CLARABELLE. Latin, ‘bright and beautiful’. This is a clown and cow name. Clarabella, Claribel, Claribell.

      CLARE. Latin, ‘bright’. This is the original, more prosaic spelling, but the airier Claire now dominates.

      CLARET. Colour name, also Bordeaux wine. Rich purplish- red colour choice that may gain favour along with Claire, though the wine connection can’t be ignored.

      CLARICE. Variation of CLARE. Murdered by Hannibal Lecter. Claris, Clarise, Clarisse, Claryce, Cleriese, Clerissa, Clerisse, Clerysse, Klarice, Klarise, Klarissa, Klaryce.

      CLARION. Music name. Tuneful variation on the Claire names.

      CLARISSA. Italian, variation of CLARA. Although it had its day in the 1990s, it still could make a pretty and dainty alternative to the overused Melissa and Vanessa. Clairisa, Clairissa, Clairisse, Claraissa, Clarecia, Claressa, Claresta, Clarisa, Clarissia, Claritza, Clarizza, Clarrisa, Clarrissa, Clerissa.

      CLARITY. Virtue name. One of the newly rediscovered virtue names, like Peace and Justice, with old-fashioned charm and a clear vision for the future.

      

CLAUDE. Latin, ‘lame’. Ancient clan name used in France for girls as well as boys, which makes a distinctive choice here, too.

      CLAUDETTE. French, feminine variation of CLAUDE. Leave this dated feminisation back with Annette and Paulette.

      

CLAUDIA. Latin, feminine variation of CLAUDE. A classic name with a hint of ancient Roman splendour that has never been truly in or truly out, Claudia still feels like a strong, modern choice – though Claude or Claudie may be more special. Claudee, Claudeen,

      Supermodel Babies

       Cecily

       Clementine

       Dylan Blue

       Ella

       Frankie-Jean

       Iris

       Jasmine

       Kaia Jordan

       Leni

       Saffron Sahara

       Sahteene

       Sailor

       Scyler Pim

       Skyla Lily Lake

       Tallulah Pine

      Claudel, Claudella, Claudelle, Claudetta, Claudex, Claudey, Claudi, Claudiana, Claudiane, Claudie, Claudie-Anne, Claudy, Claudya, Clodia, Klaudia, Klod. International: Claude, Claudette, Claudine (French), Claudeta, Claudina, Claudita (Spanish).

      CLAUDIE. French, feminine variation of CLAUDE. Attractive form still très Parisienne.

      CLAUDINE. French, feminine variation of CLAUD. There are much chicer versions of this name today.

      

CLEA. (CLAY-uh) Literary name. Attractive and unusual name that may be a