Kanya is of Sanskrit origin, translating to "from the jungle" or "one who belongs to the jungle". It's also associated with the Hindu goddess Kanayaki, symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity. In some cultures, Kanya is believed to bring good luck and happiness to those named after her. The name has gained popularity worldwide due to its uniqueness and exotic sound. It typically carries three syllables: Kah-nyah. Spelling variations include Kania, Kaniyya, and Kanaiya.
The name Kanya experienced a significant rise in popularity from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, with the highest number of births recorded in 2005 (39) and 2007 (46). However, it seems that this trend has since declined, with fewer than 10 births per year occurring consistently since 2010. Overall, there have been a total of 593 births named Kanya from 1972 to 2023.