"day"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norse
Dain
Pronunciation: [ d-AYN ]
Does Dain flow with your last name?
A one-syllable Norse name with mythological roots
Scandinavian
English
American
Strong
Minimalist
Vintage
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Dain
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Dain
See all →What the Dain report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Dain the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Dain
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Dain head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Dain
Dain is a name of Old Norse origin, believed to derive from 'Daginn' meaning 'day' or from the element 'dalr' meaning 'valley.' In Norse mythology, Dáinn was one of four stags dwelling in the branches of Yggdrasil, the world tree, and also appears as the name of several dwarves in the Prose Edda. The name also carries the sense of 'Dane' or 'one from Denmark,' connecting it to Scandinavian heritage.
Dain has remained a rare but steady name, most commonly found in Scandinavian-heritage families in the United States and Scandinavia itself. It gained some literary recognition through J.R.R. Tolkien's character Dáin Ironfoot in 'The Hobbit.'
In Norse mythology, Dáinn is a mythological deer and dwarf name with deep roots in Scandinavian tradition. For families celebrating Norse or Scandinavian heritage, Dain offers a short, powerful connection to that ancestry.
Historical Record
Dain first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,942 babies have been named Dain in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dain is past its peak , currently ranked #5,427 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dáinn appears in Norse mythology as one of the four stags on Yggdrasil
- J.R.R. Tolkien used Dáin Ironfoot as a dwarf king in The Hobbit, drawing directly from Norse mythology
- The name is derived from the same root as 'Dane,' meaning someone from Denmark
Dain in Other Languages
Danish
Dain
English
Dain
Swedish
Dain
Icelandic
Dáinn
Norwegian
Dain
Popularity Over Time
#5,427
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1978
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dain
D
D
Dáinn Fictional
Other
Mythological stag dwelling in the branches of Yggdrasil in Norse mythology
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,427
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dain
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Dain fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Dain →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Dain with...
Same Origin Names (Scandinavian)
See all Scandinavian names →Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Dain and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Dain sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Obie
Boy
Hebrew origin
"servant of God"
#5,401 in US
Pryor
Boy
Latin via Old English origin
"prior, head of a priory or monastery"
#5,534 in US
Mavryk
Boy
American surname origin
"one who does not follow the herd"
#5,454 in US
Cayman
Boy
Caribbean Spanish origin
"from the Cayman Islands"
#5,417 in US
Taige
Boy
Old Irish origin
"poet, philosopher, wise man"
#5,349 in US
Chett
Boy
Old English origin
"from Chester, the walled city"
#5,470 in US
Dedrick
Boy
Germanic origin
"ruler of the people"
#5,375 in US
Zaiel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is my strength (from Azael root)"
#5,524 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Dain's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dain
What does the name Dain mean?
"day" (from Old Norse). Dain is a name of Old Norse origin, believed to derive from 'Daginn' meaning 'day' or from the element 'dalr' meaning 'valley.' In Norse mythology, Dáinn was one of four stags dwelling in the branches of Yggdrasil, the world tree, and also appears as the name of several dwarves in the Prose Edda. The name also carries the sense of 'Dane' or 'one from Denmark,' connecting it to Scandinavian heritage.
What is the origin of the name Dain?
Dain has Old Norse, Scandinavian, English, and American origins. In Old Norse, it means "day".
Is Dain a boy or girl name?
Dain is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dain?
Dain is pronounced d-AYN.
How popular is the name Dain?
Dain is currently ranked #5427 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Dain?
Popular middle name pairings include Dain Michael, Dain Alexander, Dain Thomas, Dain Robert, Dain James, Dain William, and Dain Edward.
What are good sibling names for Dain?
Names that pair well with Dain as siblings include Sven, Leif, Astrid, Freya, Erik, Ingrid, and Bjorn.
How many syllables does Dain have?
Dain has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dain a common or rare name?
Dain is an uncommon name, ranked #5427 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dain?
About the Name Dain
Dain is a boy name with Scandinavian, English, and American origins . The name means "day" in Old Norse .
Dain is currently ranked #5,427 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dain has 1 syllable and is pronounced d-AYN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Dain include Daire, Daivik, Dailyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old Norse Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More boy names like Dain
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis