Declining since 2006, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Kanaya since 1997
Babies named Kanaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 21 |
| 2000s | 127 |
| 2010s | 70 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Kanaya is a modern, rare American name first recorded in 1997. It has never entered widespread use; its peak year was 2005, when it was given to the most babies in its history. Since 2006, its usage has been falling, and in 2025 it was given to roughly 1 in every 267,878 newborn girls, ranking it 13,208th. The name has not recorded any top state concentrations, suggesting even distribution among the few families who choose it. Its origins are unclear and likely invented, making it a truly contemporary choice without deep historical or linguistic roots.
Kanaya is a name of recent coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1997. Its derivation is unclear; it may be a respelling of Kenaya or a variant of Kaya, or simply a novel combination of sounds appealing to modern parents. It has no traditional etymology in any established language.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kana, Naya
Sibling names for Kanaya
Names that share Kanaya's style, for a brother or sister.
