Path, roadway, or lane
Lain is a variant of the English surname Lane, which originally described someone who lived near a narrow path or roadway. While more commonly seen as a surname, it has emerged as a minimalist given name. It is often associated with the Middle English word 'lane' and carries a sense of direction and journey.
About 15 boys were named Lain in 2025.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
The protagonist of the cyberpunk anime series · Serial Experiments Lain
