Rising since 1989, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Kana since 1956
Babies named Kana per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kana's real moment was 2020.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 12 |
| 1970s | 79 |
| 1980s | 112 |
| 1990s | 191 |
| 2000s | 215 |
| 2010s | 157 |
| 2020s | 100 |
Meaning & origin
Kana is a name of multiple possible origins, most prominently Japanese and Hawaiian. In the United States, its recorded use dates back to 1956, but it has been on a rising trajectory since 1989, reaching its peak popularity in 2020. As of the latest data from 2025, it ranks #8362, with approximately 1 in 133,939 baby girls receiving the name. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular states, reflecting its relatively rare and dispersed usage. Despite its low overall rank, Kana's steady climb suggests a growing appreciation for short, cross-cultural names, particularly those with Japanese roots.
Kana has multiple possible origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'powerful' (力) or 'sweet, honey' (奏), among other kanji combinations. In Hawaiian, Kana is a mythological figure meaning 'manly, brave' (related to kane 'man'). It also appears as a short form of names like Karina or Katerina in some European contexts, though this use is less common in the United States. The name saw a notable rise in popularity beginning in the late 1980s, coinciding with increased interest in Japanese culture.
Sibling names for Kana
Names that share Kana's style, for a brother or sister.
