Boy New Testament Rare
Cainan
possessor; purchaser
Καϊνάν, Καϊνάμ Kainan, Kainam
Cainan (Greek: Καϊνάν, Καϊνάμ, Kainan, Kainam) means “possessor; purchaser”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at Luke 3:36. In 2025 it was given to 32 children in the United States. Around 1,024 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Arpachshad in Luke 3.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Cainan
son of Arphaxad
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 32 | Steady |
| All-time total | 1,024 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 47 in 2016 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Luke 3:36 |
| Cross-references | 24 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Lamech co-occurrence Appears with Lamech in Luke 3.
- Shelah co-occurrence Appears with Shelah in Luke 3.
- Arpachshad co-occurrence Appears with Arpachshad in Luke 3.
- Shem co-occurrence Appears with Shem in Luke 3.
- Noah co-occurrence Appears with Noah in Luke 3.
Origin & meaning
Καινάμ (T, Καϊ-; Rec. Καϊνάν), ό, indecl. (Heb. קֵינָן),
Cainam, Cainan;
__1. son of Enos (Gen.5:9): Luk.3:37.
__2. Son of Arphaxad (Gen.10:24 (LXX): Luk.3:36.†
(AS)
Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, was an ancestor of Jesus Christ according to Luke's genealogy.
The biblical story
Cainan is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luk.3.36). He is listed as the son of Arphaxad and the father of Shelah. This genealogy traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, emphasizing His humanity and connection to the ancestral line of the Israelites. Cainan's inclusion in this genealogy is notable because he is not mentioned in the genealogies found in Genesis 11 and 1 Chronicles 1, which list Shelah as the direct son of Arphaxad. Some scholars suggest that the name Cainan may have been added to Luke's genealogy based on the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translation, which includes Cainan in Genesis 11. The presence of Cainan in Luke's genealogy highlights the importance of genealogical records in establishing Jesus' lineage and fulfilling messianic prophecies.
Key verses
Cainan appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:36
Show all 1 reference
Luke (1)
- Luke 3:36