Declining since 2006.
Popularity of Kanya since 1972
Babies named Kanya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 78 |
| 1980s | 45 |
| 1990s | 74 |
| 2000s | 286 |
| 2010s | 86 |
| 2020s | 24 |
Meaning & origin
Kanya is a Sanskrit name meaning 'maiden' or 'young woman', and in Hindu tradition it is an epithet of the goddess Parvati. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1972, but it was not until the 2000s that it saw a modest increase in usage, peaking in 2007. Since 2006, however, its trajectory has been falling, suggesting a brief spike in interest that has since subsided. While Kanya has never broken into the top 1000 and does not have a single 1-in-N estimate for recent years due to low frequency, its cultural resonance and simple, melodic sound keep it in circulation among families seeking a name with Indian roots. The name has a strong spiritual undertone, and though it remains uncommon, it carries a sense of quiet strength and tradition.
Derived from Sanskrit कन्या (kanyā) meaning 'maiden, daughter, young woman'. In Hindu mythology, Kanya is an epithet of the goddess Parvati, and the name also refers to the zodiac sign Virgo. The name has long been used in India and has gained some popularity in the West through cultural exchange.
“Kanya” around the world
Where Kanya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kan, Kanya
Sibling names for Kanya
Names that share Kanya's style, for a brother or sister.
