कन्या

Kanya

girlSanskritHindu

Kanya is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Girl, maiden”.

MeaningGirl, maiden
GenderGirl
OriginSanskrit
Written asकन्या
PronunciationKUN-yah
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Thailand, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Kanya

Kanya is the Sanskrit word for a girl or unmarried young woman. It is also the Indian name of the zodiac sign Virgo, and it appears in place names such as Kanyakumari, 'the virgin princess', at the southern tip of India. In Thailand Kanya, from the same root, is a fairly common girls' name. In India it is used occasionally as a name and more often in compounds.

Is Kanya a Hindu name?

In Hindu practice young girls are honoured as the goddess in Kanya Puja during Navaratri, and Kanyakumari's temple honours the goddess as a maiden.

How popular is Kanya?

Uncommon as a stand-alone name in India; more common in Thailand.

Gifts with the name Kanya

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Spellings and variants of Kanya

KanyaaKanyakumari

Names similar to Kanya

More Hindu girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Kanya mean?

Kanya means 'Girl, maiden'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Kanya a Hindu name?

In Hindu practice young girls are honoured as the goddess in Kanya Puja during Navaratri, and Kanyakumari's temple honours the goddess as a maiden.

How do you pronounce Kanya?

Kanya is pronounced KUN-yah.

Is Kanya a boy or girl name?

Kanya is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.