Rising since 1987, #1,235 for girls today.
Popularity of Rain since 1956
Babies named Rain per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | 0 |
| 1960s | 13 | 0 |
| 1970s | 105 | 8 |
| 1980s | 24 | 5 |
| 1990s | 335 | 132 |
| 2000s | 970 | 233 |
| 2010s | 1,140 | 346 |
| 2020s | 1,026 | 464 |
Meaning & origin
Rain entered the U.S. naming pool as a modern word name, first recorded in 1956, but its use remained rare until the late 20th century. Its trajectory has been steadily rising since 1987, with a notable surge in the 2020s. The name reached its peak popularity in 2023, indicating growing appeal among parents seeking nature-inspired, gender-neutral options. Geographically, Rain is most common in South Carolina, Colorado, and Missouri. While it lacks the deep historical roots of traditional names, its simple, evocative sound and positive associations make it a distinctive choice that continues to gain momentum.
Rain is directly from the Old English word 'reġn', referring to the water droplets that fall from clouds. It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the mid-20th century, part of the trend of adopting nature-inspired vocabulary words as names. Its popularity rose steadily from the 1980s, particularly in the United States.
Where Rain is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Rain
Names that share Rain's style, for a brother or sister.
