The story behind Cain
From Hebrew קַיִן (Káyin, “craftsman”), present since Old English.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /keɪn/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: [kʰeɪn]
Popularity
Cain ranked #1142 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Cain
Ann
From Late Latin Anna chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate in reference to Anna the Prophetess, from Koine…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Dan
From Hebrew דָּן (Dan). Dimunitve of Danjell (“Daniel”), Daniel (“id”) and Daniell (“id”). From Latin Daniēl (from Ancient Greek Δᾱνῑήλ (Dānīḗl), from Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jean
Variant of Jeanne, from French Jeanne, from Old French Jehane, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from Latin Iōhannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Joan
A clipped or hypochoristic form of Joanna, from Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
John
From Middle English John, Johan, Johannes, from Anglo-Norman Jehan, Johan, and also Old English Iohannes, both from Late Latin Iōhannēs, variant of Latin Iōannēs, from Koine…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Cain
Ari
Of the first sense, derives directly from Hebrew: אֲרִי (arí, “lion”); compare Yiddish: לייב (leyb, “Leib”), English: Leo, Leon, French: Léo, Léon, Czech: Lev, Polish: Lew,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends I
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ary
A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, variant of Arieh.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Asa
Via Late Latin Asa from Koine Greek Ἀσά (Asá) from Biblical Hebrew אָסָא (ʾĀsāʾ), from Aramaic אָסְיָא (ʾāsyā, “physician, doctor, healer”), from Akkadian 𒀀𒍪 (A.ZU /asû/)…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Cain
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adah
From Hebrew עָדָה (adá, “Adah”, literally “ornament, dawn”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection