Cain
From Hebrew קַיִן (Káyin, “craftsman”), present since Old English.
Every Cain since 1910 — 7,628 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cain
Cain is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,142 in 2025 with 185 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1910, 7,628 American babies have been named Cain. Its peak came in 2014, when 330 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cain stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cain year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 185 | #1,142 |
| 2024 | 230 | #980 |
| 2023 | 250 | #922 |
| 2022 | 253 | #914 |
| 2021 | 235 | #956 |
| 2020 | 254 | #893 |
| 2019 | 285 | #806 |
| 2018 | 251 | #871 |
| 2017 | 262 | #845 |
| 2016 | 324 | #751 |
| 2015 | 326 | #743 |
| 2014 | 330 | #727 |
| 2013 | 285 | #792 |
| 2012 | 290 | #783 |
| 2011 | 254 | #845 |
| 2010 | 207 | #958 |
| 2009 | 200 | #988 |
| 2008 | 189 | #1,014 |
| 2007 | 141 | #1,248 |
| 2006 | 135 | #1,239 |
| 2005 | 139 | #1,151 |
| 2004 | 126 | #1,207 |
| 2003 | 127 | #1,176 |
| 2002 | 150 | #1,022 |
| 2001 | 137 | #1,055 |
| 2000 | 137 | #1,048 |
| 1995 | 113 | #1,053 |
| 1990 | 41 | #1,875 |
| 1985 | 35 | #1,731 |
| 1980 | 33 | #1,737 |
| 1975 | 27 | #1,795 |
| 1970 | 17 | #2,223 |
| 1965 | 5 | #3,985 |
| 1960 | 7 | #3,375 |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,551 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3,064 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 6 | #3,799 |
| 1920 | 10 | #2,799 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3,457 |
| 1910 | 9 | #1,128 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Cain
- Cain Velasquez Wrestler · b. 1982
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cain mean?
From Hebrew קַיִן (Káyin, “craftsman”), present since Old English.
How popular is the name Cain in 2025?
Cain ranked #1,142 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 185 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cain?
7,628 babies have been named Cain in the United States since 1910, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cain most popular?
Cain peaked in 2014, when 330 newborns received the name.
Is Cain a boy or girl name?
Cain is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cain rising or falling?
Cain is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cain?
Well-known people named Cain include Cain Velasquez (wrestler).