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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 rbgrbkOMTqWBYi7hJ9hSPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-05-015890.txt : 20050809
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-05-015890.hdr.sgml : 20050809
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050809131458
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-05-015890
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050805
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050809
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050809

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEYER MICHAEL L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219288

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10521
		FILM NUMBER:		051008640

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MICHAEL L. MEYER COMPANY
		STREET 2:		95 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 350
		CITY:			ALISO VIEJO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92656
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-660-0113

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CITY NATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000201461
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				952568550
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 N ROXBURY DR
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3108886000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		400 N ROXBURY DR
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000201461</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CITY NATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CYN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219288</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEYER MICHAEL L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MICHAEL L. MEYER COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>18101 VON KARMAN, SUITE 1050</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92612</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>250</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>73.12</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8750</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>As Trustee of Living Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael B. Cahill, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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