Find out how popular the first name Blaine has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Blaine by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Blaine is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Blaine being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 207 male babies and 30 female babies born with the name Blaine.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 30 baby girls were named Blaine in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Blaine

The name Blaine has its origins in the French language, derived from the Old French word "blain," which means "light-colored" or "yellowish." This name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 11th or 12th century.

Blaine was initially a surname in France, often associated with people who had fair or light-colored hair or complexions. Over time, it transitioned into being used as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Blaine can be found in the 13th-century poem "Le Roman de la Rose," written by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. In this work, there is a character named "Blaine," which suggests the name's usage during that period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Blaine. One of the most prominent was James Gillespie Blaine (1830-1893), an American statesman who served as Secretary of State under President Benjamin Harrison and was a long-time Republican leader in the late 19th century.

Another famous bearer of the name was Blaine Wetzel (1926-2015), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the successful restaurant chain Wendy's.

In the world of literature, Blaine L. Reininger (1924-1998) was an American poet and editor who co-founded the influential literary magazine "Toupee."

The name Blaine also has connections to the entertainment industry. Blaine Kern (1927-2015) was a renowned American artist and sculptor, best known for his work on Mardi Gras floats and sculptures.

Lastly, Blaine Boyer (born 1981) is a professional baseball player who has played for several Major League Baseball teams, including the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Blaine throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Blaine was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Blaine, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!