Lain is a unique and intriguing male given name of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese word "lai" which means "coming," "approaching," or "arriving." The name Lain is believed to have been coined by author Katsuhiro Otomo for his science fiction anime film, "Akira," released in 1988. In the movie, Lain Iwakura is a central character who plays a significant role in the story's unfolding events. Although Lain is not traditionally recognized as an established Japanese name, its association with the popular anime series has contributed to its growing popularity and recognition worldwide among fans of Japanese culture and animation.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Lain has seen a varied pattern of popularity in the United States over the past five decades. Between 1973 and 1982, there were consistently 5 births per year with the name Lain.
Starting from 1992, we see an increase in the number of births with the name Lain. In fact, between 1994 and 2001, the number of births with this name more than doubled, from 8 to 23 births per year.
The peak popularity of the name Lain seems to have occurred around the early 2000s, with a total of 458 births recorded between 1973 and 2023. Despite fluctuations in popularity over the years, it's clear that Lain has remained a somewhat consistent choice for parents naming their children in the United States.
It's worth noting that while these statistics provide insight into the trends of naming babies with the name Lain over time, they do not account for variations in spelling or similar names. For example, if some parents chose to spell the name Lane instead of Lain, those births would not be included in this data set.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Lain may not have reached widespread popularity, it has maintained a steady presence among newborns in the United States over the past five decades.