Kana

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Kana

Pronounced KAH-nah /ˈkɑ.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen — commonly 'powerful' or linked to the kana syllabary; also a Hawaiian demigod name; routes varyLow

In 30 seconds: Powerful; a name: Kana is Japanese — meaning varies by the kanji. Crisp, lyrical, and warm (said 'KAH-nah').

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Origin LowJapanese

MeaningA Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen — commonly 'powerful' or linked to the kana syllabary; also a Hawaiian demigod name; routes vary

U.S. rank (2024)#6254 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births19 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 860

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kana is a Japanese girls' name written with various kanji, so its meaning varies by family — commonly 'powerful' or linked to the kana syllabary (it is also the name of a Hawaiian demigod; routes vary, which we note honestly). A crisp, lyrical name (said 'KAH-nah').

In the U.S. it appears in Japanese families. Rare, powerful at one common reading, and lyrical.

Did you know? Kana is a Japanese girls' name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen — often 'powerful', or linked to the kana writing system — crisp and lyrical (the kanji vary, which we note; said 'KAH-nah').

Overall data confidence 45%

Japanese name references — Kana — kanji vary

Variations

KanaeKanna

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kana…

Hana— a sound-neighbor Japanese girls' name

Mana— a fellow short Japanese girls' name

Rina— a companion -na Japanese girls' name

Sana— shares the -na ending

Sena— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Kana

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kana mean?

Kana's meaning depends on the kanji chosen — often 'powerful' or linked to the kana syllabary; we note the kanji vary.

How do you pronounce Kana?

It's said KAH-nah /ˈkɑ.nɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kana a boy or girl name?

Kana is most often a girl's name.

How popular is Kana?

Kana is a rare name in the U.S.