Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Kanya
Kanya
How to Pronounce Kanya
Pronounced KAHN-yah /ΛkΙn.jΙ/Medium
Meaning: Kanya is from the Sanskrit kanya, 'maiden, young unmarried girl', a word also used in Thai; in Hindu astrology Kanya is the zodiac sign Virgo, the maiden.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Kanya comes from the Sanskrit kanya, 'maiden' or 'young girl', a word shared into Thai. It carries a gentle, well-established meaning across South and Southeast Asia and names the zodiac sign Virgo in Hindu tradition.
In the U.S. it appears in small numbers with South and Southeast Asian families, cresting around 2007. It reads as a soft heritage name rather than an Anglo coinage.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Kanyaβ¦
Explore names like Kanya
Frequently Asked
What does the name Kanya mean?
Kanya is a Sanskrit and Thai name meaning 'maiden' or 'young girl', and names the sign Virgo in Hindu astrology.
How do you pronounce Kanya?
It's said KAHN-yah /ΛkΙn.jΙ/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Kanya a boy or girl name?
Kanya is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Kanya?
Kanya is an uncommon heritage name in the U.S., used mainly by South and Southeast Asian families.