Cain is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "Qayin," which means "smith" or "metalworker." It is the name given to one of the sons of Adam and Eve in the Bible. According to the story, Cain was jealous of his brother Abel's favor with God and killed him, hence the idiom "a cain," meaning a murderer.
The name Cain has been used throughout history and appears in various forms across different cultures. In ancient Egypt, it was written as "Qayin" and was associated with the god Seth, who was often depicted as a negative figure. In Irish folklore, there is a character named Cian, who is a chieftain of the Fianna, a group of warriors known for their hunting and fighting skills.
Today, Cain remains a popular given name for boys in many countries around the world. It has been used by celebrities such as musician Seal (born Henry Olusega) and actor Cain Miller-Dean. Despite its biblical associations with jealousy and murder, Cain is often seen as a strong and distinctive name choice due to its unique sound and historical significance.
"Cain, a biblical name meaning 'spear,' experienced a significant rise in popularity from the late 1960s onwards, peaking in 2012 with 290 births. Between 1910 and 2023, there were a total of 7207 babies named Cain."