Cainan
Cainan is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Possession, acquisition, or sorrow.
Origin and history
Cainan is a biblical name derived from Hebrew, closely related to the name Kenan. It appears in the Old Testament as a patriarch and ancestor listed in biblical genealogies. In the United States, it remains a rare and distinctive name choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
1,024 babies in the United States have been named Cainan since 1880. It ranks #3659 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1743.
States where it is most popular
- TX (33.3 %)
- CA (21.2 %)
- IN (15.2 %)
- KY (15.2 %)
- OH (15.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 52 |
| 1990-2000 | 141 |
| 2000-2010 | 309 |
| 2010-2019 | 338 |
| 2020-2029 | 184 |
Fun facts
- In the Old Testament, Cainan (Kenan) is named as the son of Enos and the grandson of Seth.
- The spelling Cainan appears in the Septuagint and the Gospel of Luke, reflecting classical Greek transliteration of Hebrew.