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Cain

Boy name · 164 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cain: 164 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 12 births in 2017.

Cain is a name of Hebrew origin from the Old Testament, where it means "acquired" or "spear," derived from the biblical figure who was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve and, infamously, the first murderer after he killed his brother Abel. This gives the name unavoidable biblical weight, but it also has a strong modern presence through writer and critic Cain, though perhaps more widely known is the Roman emperor Lucius Septimius Severus—no direct connection to the name's root. The name shares an etymological link with the Scottish clan MacKinnon, sometimes said to mean "son of the fair-born," though this is speculative. In folklore, the mark of Cain has become a phrase for a sign of protection or curse, adding a layer of dramatic storytelling to the name's legacy.