NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Kain

Derived from the Biblical name Cain, meaning "spear" or "acquisition".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kain is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kain popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 64 births.

This profile covers 774 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 5% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 832 living people in the UK are called Kain. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kain ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2001, when 64 boys were registered as Kain.
  • Kain ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #342 in 2015.
  • About 832 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kain as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5119

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2001

64 births

Estimated living

832

2026

Meaning

What does Kain mean?

The given name Kain originated from the Hebrew language and culture, with its earliest known roots tracing back to the Biblical era. It is derived from the Hebrew word "qayin," which means "acquired" or "possession." The name gained prominence through its association with the biblical figure Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, as mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

In the biblical narrative, Cain was the first human born and the first murderer, having killed his younger brother Abel out of jealousy and anger. This tragic story has given the name Kain a somewhat ominous connotation in some cultures, symbolizing envy, resentment, and violence.

Despite its Biblical origins, the name Kain has been adopted across various cultures and time periods. One notable example is Cain, a character in John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," published in 1667. In this work, Milton explores the biblical story of Cain and his subsequent banishment, adding depth and complexity to the character's portrayal.

Moving forward in history, one of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Kain was Cain Marcius, a Roman senator who lived in the 1st century BC. He is mentioned in the writings of the ancient Roman historian Livy.

In the 12th century, Cain Renault, a French knight and crusader, gained recognition for his participation in the Third Crusade alongside King Richard the Lionheart. He is mentioned in various chronicles and accounts of the era.

Fast forward to the 16th century, Cain Calvert was an English explorer and colonist who played a significant role in the early settlement of the British colonies in North America. He is remembered for his efforts in establishing the colony of Newfoundland in 1610.

In the realm of literature, Cain Mutiny was a notable 19th-century American author and poet. Born in 1825, he is best known for his poems exploring themes of nature, love, and the human condition.

Finally, in more recent history, Cain Velasquez is a former professional mixed martial artist and wrestler. Born in 1982, he is a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in the sport's history.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Kain throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of this name's legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kain over time

The chart below shows babies named Kain registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kain, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 64 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kain
016324864199620102024

Decades

Kain by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kain was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3119 35 5
2010s #1656 175 10
2000s #670 412 10
1990s #516 152 4

Geography

Where Kain is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Kain. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Kain ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #342 in 2015.

Scotland
6
Northern Ireland
4

Across the UK

Kain in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#486 in 2016

11 years of NRS records, 39 total registered

Northern Ireland (NISRA)

#342 in 2015

7 years of NISRA records, 26 total registered

Related

Names similar to Kain

FAQ

Kain: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kain in the UK right now?

In 2024, Kain was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kain most popular?

The peak year on record was 2001, with 64 babies registered as Kain in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kain?

Derived from the Biblical name Cain, meaning "spear" or "acquisition".

How many people are called Kain in the UK?

A total of 774 babies have been registered as Kain across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 39 more in Scotland and 26 in Northern Ireland.

Where is Kain most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Kain ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #342 in 2015. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.