Alain is of French origin, meaning "from the bright and shining". It is a classic French name that has been popular for centuries. In France, it peaked in popularity during the 1950s but remains widely used today. The name Alain is often associated with historical figures such as Alain le Rouge, a Breton duke who lived in the 10th century, and Alain-Fournier, the French novelist known for his semi-autobiographical novel "Le Grand Meaulnes".
"The name Alain saw its highest popularity in 1976 with six births recorded that year."