Cainan

Meaning of Cainan

Cainan is a masculine name of ancient Hebrew provenance (qeynan, “possession” or “acquisition”), transmitted into Greek as Κᾰῖναμ in the Septuagint and subsequently anglicized with the phonetic rendering /ˈkeɪ.nən/. Its earliest scriptural appearance in Genesis 5:9 identifies it with the antediluvian patriarch and forebear of Mahalalel, conferring a degree of theological resonance and linking it to a lineage of primeval significance. From a demographic standpoint, Cainan has maintained a consistent presence in the United States’ annual birth registries—most recently recording 36 occurrences and ranking 888th in 2024 after oscillating between the mid-800s and low-900s over the past decade—thereby illustrating a stable yet understated popularity. This pattern of modest but enduring use, coupled with its precise phonological profile and deep historical roots, renders Cainan a technically robust choice for those seeking a name that harmonizes archaic gravitas with contemporary Anglo-American sensibilities.