Find out how popular the first name Cainan has been for the last 43 years (from 1981 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cainan by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Cainan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cainan.

The history of the first name Cainan

The name Cainan has its origins in ancient Hebrew and is deeply rooted in biblical history. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word "qanan," which means "to possess" or "to acquire." This name first appears in the genealogy recorded in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, where Cainan is listed as one of the descendants of Adam.

The earliest recorded person with the name Cainan is mentioned in Genesis 5:9-14, where he is described as the son of Enosh and the father of Mahalaleel. According to the biblical account, Cainan lived for 910 years. However, it is important to note that these lifespans recorded in the early chapters of Genesis are understood by many scholars to be symbolic representations rather than literal accounts.

Another notable figure with the name Cainan appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Luke (3:36-37) in the New Testament. This Cainan is not mentioned in the Old Testament genealogies, and his inclusion in Luke's account has puzzled biblical scholars for centuries.

Outside of the biblical context, the name Cainan has been used throughout history, albeit infrequently. One notable individual was Cainan of Inishmaan, an Irish saint and hermit who lived in the 7th century AD. He is venerated in the Catholic Church and is associated with the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.

In the 16th century, Cainan Somerville was a Scottish landowner and prominent figure in the Scottish Reformation. He was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the establishment of Protestantism in Scotland.

Another historical figure was Cainan O'Hartigan, an Irish Catholic priest and scholar who lived in the 17th century. He was renowned for his expertise in the Irish language and contributed to the preservation of Irish literature and culture during a turbulent period in Irish history.

It is worth noting that while the name Cainan has been used throughout history, it has remained relatively uncommon compared to other biblical names. This rarity may be attributed to its unique spelling and pronunciation, as well as its association with obscure figures in biblical genealogies.

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 Cainan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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