Find out how popular the last name Nain is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Nain.

Nain, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Nain surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Nain in America

Nain is the 135593rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Nain surname appeared 124 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Nain.

We can also compare 2010 data for Nain to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Nain

The surname NAIN has its origins in France, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "nain," meaning "dwarf" or "small person." This term likely originated from the Latin word "nanus," which held the same meaning.

In its earliest recorded instances, the name NAIN appeared in various medieval documents and records from the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and Île-de-France. It was often used as a descriptive surname, referring to someone of diminutive stature or bearing a resemblance to a dwarf.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname NAIN was Jehan le Nain, a merchant from Rouen who lived in the late 13th century. Records indicate that he was involved in trade with England and the Low Countries.

Another notable figure was Pierre Nain, a renowned painter from the 17th century, born in 1610 in Reims. He was celebrated for his genre paintings depicting scenes of everyday life and was a member of the French Academy of Painting and Sculpture.

In the 18th century, the name NAIN gained further prominence with Jacques-André Nain, a prominent architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Church of Saint-Sulpice. He was born in 1732 and lived until 1807.

The surname NAIN also has connections to various place names in France, such as Nainville-les-Roches and Naintré, both located in the northern regions of the country. These place names likely derived from the same root as the surname, suggesting a possible link between the name and specific geographical locations.

One of the most famous bearers of the NAIN surname was Louis-Émile Nain, a French painter and illustrator born in 1856. He was renowned for his depictions of Parisian life and is considered a significant figure in the Naturalist movement of the late 19th century.

Throughout its history, the surname NAIN has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, merchants, architects, and more. While its origins may have been rooted in physical descriptions, the name has evolved to hold a rich cultural and historical significance in France and beyond.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Nain

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Nain.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Nain was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Nain has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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