Boy Old & New Testament Known
Cain
possession, or possessed
קַ֫יִן Κάϊν Kain
Cain (Hebrew: קַ֫יִן, Kain) means “possession, or possessed”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 16 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 185 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Around 7,628 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abel in Genesis 4.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Cain
son of Adam; related to Mehujael; related to Irad
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 16 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 185 | Falling |
| All-time total | 7,628 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 330 in 2014 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 4:1 |
| Last appears | Jude 1:11 |
| Cross-references | 410 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Abel co-occurrence Appears with Abel in Genesis 4.
- Enoch co-occurrence Appears with Enoch in Genesis 4.
- Lamech co-occurrence Appears with Lamech in Genesis 4.
- Eve co-occurrence Appears with Eve in Genesis 4.
- Adam co-occurrence Appears with Adam in Genesis 4.
- Seth co-occurrence Appears with Seth in Genesis 4.
- Irad co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Irad.
Origin & meaning
Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, murdered his brother Abel and was cursed by God to be a wanderer.
The biblical story
Cain was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, and he is known for killing his brother Abel (Gen. 4; Heb. 11:4; 1Jn.3.12; Jud.1.11). Cain was a farmer, while Abel was a shepherd. When both brothers brought offerings to God, the Lord accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's, which led to Cain's anger and jealousy. Despite God's warning to master his sinful desires, Cain lured Abel into the field and murdered him. As a result, God cursed Cain to be a restless wanderer on the earth and banished him from His presence. Cain's descendants, known as the Cainites, are mentioned in the genealogy of Genesis 4, which highlights the spread of sin and the development of civilization apart from God. The New Testament references to Cain portray him as an example of unbelief, wickedness, and rebellion against God (Heb. Jud.11.4; 1Jn.3.12; Jud.1.11). Cain's story serves as a warning about the consequences of sin, jealousy, and disobedience to God.
Key verses
Cain appears in 16 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Genesis 4:1 -
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Genesis 4:2 -
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
Genesis 4:3 -
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:5 -
And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Genesis 4:6
Show all 16 references
Genesis (13)
- Genesis 4:1
- Genesis 4:2
- Genesis 4:3
- Genesis 4:5
- Genesis 4:6
- Genesis 4:8
- Genesis 4:9
- Genesis 4:13
- Genesis 4:15
- Genesis 4:16
- Genesis 4:17
- Genesis 4:24
- Genesis 4:25
Hebrews (1)
- Hebrews 11:4
1 John (1)
- 1 John 3:12
Jude (1)
- Jude 1:11