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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cainan

Cainan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-nən /ˈkeɪ.nən/High

Meaning: Form of Kenan, a patriarch in the genealogies of Genesis and Luke; traditionally glossed 'possession', though the root is uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: A name from the Bible's deepest family tree: Cainan appears in the genealogies between Adam and Noah — traditionally 'possession'. Ancient enough to make Methuselah look recent.
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Origin MediumHebrew, Greek
MeaningForm of Kenan, a patriarch in the genealogies of Genesis and Luke; traditionally glossed 'possession', though the root is uncertain
U.S. rank (2025)#3526 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births32 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,024

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619812025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cainan is the Greek-influenced form of Kenan, the great-grandson of Adam in Genesis who lived, the text says, 910 years; Luke's Gospel lists a second Cainan whose presence in the genealogy has puzzled scholars since antiquity. The traditional gloss 'possession' rests on an uncertain root, and the name's similarity to Cain is coincidental in derivation though not in sound.

Modern use is scarce but real — Brazilian actor Cainan Wiebe and scattered American records carry it. It offers Cain's edge with a softer landing and a longer pedigree.

Did you know? Cainan appears in Luke's genealogy of Jesus but is mysteriously absent from the standard Hebrew text of Genesis at the same point — a centuries-old puzzle for Bible scholars.
Overall data confidence 68%
Behind the Name — Kenan — etymology, uncertain

Variations

KenanKainanCainen

Nicknames

Cain

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cainan…

Kenan— the Hebrew standard form of the same patriarch
Canaan— the promised-land place name one vowel away
Cain— the shorter Genesis name inside its sound
Enoch— a fellow pre-flood patriarch revival

Explore names like Cainan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cainan mean?

Cainan is a form of Kenan, a Genesis patriarch; the traditional gloss is 'possession', though the root is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Cainan?

It's said KAY-nən /ˈkeɪ.nən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cainan a boy or girl name?

Cainan is a boy's name.

How popular is Cainan?

Cainan is a very rare biblical name in the U.S.

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