Alain Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Alain originates from Old French and is derived from the Breton name 'Alaunus', meaning 'noble'. It has evolved through various historical forms, maintaining its association with nobility. While it has no biblical relevance, it gained significant popularity in medieval France and remains a classic name today, often associated with elegance. Notable figures with this name include philosophers, actors, and athletes.
The name Alain is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alain has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Alain' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6076th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1714th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1287th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1220th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1956th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2506th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 18004th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Alain' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alain"
Pronunciation
/əˈlɛɪn/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Alain is derived from the Old Breton name 'Alaunus', which is possibly linked to the Celtic word for 'rock' or 'noble'.
Meaning
noble
Language Evolution
Alaunus (Old Breton), Alain (Old French), Alain (Modern French)
Historical Usage
The name Alain gained popularity in medieval France and has been used in various forms throughout history, particularly in the context of nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Alan, Alayne, Alayna
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Alain is perceived as a classic and sophisticated name, often associated with French culture and elegance.
Famous People
Alain de Botton - Swiss-British philosopher and author, Alain Delon - French actor and film producer, Alain Prost - French racing driver and four-time Formula One champion
Explore More Alain Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alain"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alain"
"Alain" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6076th of 6773 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1714th of 7552 | 397 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1287th of 10718 | 693 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1220th of 16616 | 1,179 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1956th of 24088 | 1,023 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2506th of 23106 | 634 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 18004th of 19264 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Alain" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
41.28% 1003rd/2430 |
- |
46.31% 1285th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
20.93% 729th/3483 |
48.44% 1704th/3518 |
24.63% 996th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
18.28% 818th/4475 |
19.45% 1010th/5194 |
18.13% 1145th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
39.54% 2042nd/5164 |
18.54% 1356th/7313 |
21.55% 1608th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
24.14% 1647th/6822 |
33.51% 2103rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Alain" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alain"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alain" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.