Cain Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Cain has Hebrew origins, meaning 'acquired' or 'possession'. It has evolved through various languages, maintaining a consistent form. The name is often associated with traits of strength and complexity due to its biblical relevance, where Cain is known for his tragic story. While it has historical significance, its modern perception can be mixed, reflecting both strength and moral lessons.
The name Cain is most popular in Arizona, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Cain has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Cain' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3894th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4010th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3872nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2055th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1380th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1040th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 836th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Cain' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Cain"
Pronunciation
/keɪn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Cain comes from the Hebrew word 'qanah', which means 'to acquire' or 'to possess'. It is traditionally associated with the biblical figure Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve.
Meaning
acquired, possession
Language Evolution
Hebrew: קַיִן (Qayin), Greek: Κάιν (Kain), Latin: Cain
Biblical Background
The name Cain is significant in the Bible as he is known for committing the first murder by killing his brother Abel out of jealousy.
Historical Usage
Cain has been used as a given name since biblical times, particularly among Jewish and Christian communities. Its popularity has fluctuated over the centuries, often associated with the moral lessons derived from the biblical story.
Variants & Derivatives
Kane, Cayen, Cainan
Modern Popularity & Image
Cain is sometimes viewed negatively due to its association with betrayal and violence in the biblical narrative, but it can also be seen as a strong and unique name.
Famous People
Cain Velasquez - a former professional mixed martial artist and professional wrestler., Cain Marko - a fictional character in Marvel Comics, also known as the Juggernaut.
Explore More Cain Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Cain"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Cain"
"Cain" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3894th of 7545 | 68 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4010th of 6773 | 56 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3872nd of 7552 | 77 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2055th of 10718 | 332 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1380th of 16616 | 988 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1040th of 24088 | 2,636 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 836th of 23106 | 3,284 |
Regional Popularity of "Cain" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
100.00% 2265th/2265 |
100.00% 1331st/1331 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
100.00% 1075th/1075 |
100.00% 1660th/1660 |
100.00% 1494th/1494 |
100.00% 1390th/1390 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 866th/866 |
100.00% 1664th/1664 |
100.00% 1132nd/1132 |
100.00% 993rd/993 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 786th/786 |
100.00% 1340th/1340 |
100.00% 922nd/922 |
100.00% 708th/708 |
Regional Popularity of "Cain" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Cain"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Cain" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.