Strain is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Christina Strain (born 1981), comic book colorist Isaac Strain (1821–1857), American/Canadian explorer John Paul Strain (born 1955), American illustrator and artist Julie Strain (1962–2021), American actress and model and musician Michael G. Strain (born 1958), Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry in the U.S. state of Louisiana Rob Strain, NASA Goddard Center director Ted Strain (1917–1999), American basketball player Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson (1890–1968), born Malcolm Strain, American writer Dana Plato (1964–1999), born Dana Michelle Strain, American actress