Given name & surname
Rain
“a wise ruler; a lord”·“a decisive warrior”
Rain is a variant of Raines. One English interpretation is “a wise ruler; a lord.” Rain is a short form of Rainer. One German interpretation is “a decisive warrior.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Rain is a variant of Raines. One English interpretation is “a wise ruler; a lord.” Rain is a short form of Rainer. One German interpretation is “a decisive warrior.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Rain is a variant of Raines. An origin associated with Raines is English.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Estonian usage, Rain is a short form of Rainer.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1956. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Rain through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 4,806
- 1,188 boys · 3,618 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 275 babies
- 2025
- 275
- #1,239 for girls · #1,751 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +49%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 29% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 182 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,239 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 33.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 93 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (26). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,671 as a first name in 2020; 1,177 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Rain’s family of names
In Estonian usage, Rain is a short form of Rainer. Rain has a related form in Raines. In English usage, Rain as a surname has a related form in REIN.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Around the world
Rain has relatives in 3 languages.
4 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Rain
- Rain PhoenixAmerican actress and musicianborn 1972
- Rain EplerEstonian politician (born 1977)
- Rain SpencerAmerican actressborn 2000
- Rain VeidemanEstonian basketball player (born 1991)
- Rain ChudoriIndonesian writerborn 1994
- Rain SultanovAzerbaijani jazz saxophonistborn 1965
- Rain in FaceOlympic lacrosse player of Canada1850–1968
- Rain VessenbergEstonian footballer (born 1975)
- Rain PryorAmerican actor and comedianborn 1969
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Rain, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ripley
“from the noisy meadow”
30% boys · 70% girls
Ridley
“from the meadow of reeds”
43% boys · 57% girls
Leighton
“from the town near the meadow”
26% boys · 74% girls
Storm
Storm is used as a given name and a surname. One American interpretation is “of the tempest; stormy weather; having an impetuous nature.”
42% boys · 58% girls
Aster
“of the stars; as bright as a star”
32% boys · 68% girls
Murphy
“daughter of a great sea warrior” · “a warrior of the sea”
38% boys · 62% girls
Huntley
“from the hunter's meadow”
51% boys · 49% girls
Sage
“wise one; type of spice”
32% boys · 68% girls