Find out how popular the first name Dwain has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Dwain by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Dwain is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Dwain.

The history of the first name Dwain

The name Dwain is an English variant of the Welsh name Dwyain, which is derived from the Welsh word "dŵr" meaning "water" and the suffix "-ain" meaning "little". This suggests that the name may have originated as a nickname or descriptive term for someone who lived near a body of water or had some association with water.

The earliest recorded use of the name Dwain dates back to the late 16th century in England. It was relatively uncommon during this time period, likely due to its Welsh origins and the prevalence of more traditionally English names.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Dwain was Dwain Blaney, an English author and playwright who lived in the early 17th century. He is best known for his play "The Governor's Revenge" which was performed in London in 1636.

In the 18th century, the name Dwain appeared in the historical records of several families in the American colonies. Notable individuals from this time include Dwain Rutledge, a farmer and landowner in Virginia who was born in 1742, and Dwain Barton, a soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War and was born in 1765.

As the 19th century progressed, the name Dwain remained relatively uncommon but continued to be used sporadically in various parts of the English-speaking world. One prominent individual with the name was Dwain Esper, an American filmmaker and producer who was born in 1892 and was known for his work in the early days of horror and exploitation cinema.

In the 20th century, the name Dwain gained some popularity, particularly in the United States. One of the most famous individuals with the name was Dwain Painter, an American baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1940s and 1950s. He was born in 1920 and had a successful career as a pitcher, appearing in two World Series.

Another notable figure with the name Dwain was Dwain Mallitz, an American businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded the successful software company PeopleSoft in 1987. He was born in 1946 and played a significant role in the development of human resources management software.

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

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

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