Kanalu
An Indian baby name meaning "eyes" or "beautiful eyes".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Kanalu. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kanalu today is around 23 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kanalu births was 2003 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kanalu. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kanalu. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2003
6 babies that year
Average age
23
years old
2003 SSA rank
#10,238
Tracked since 2003
Popularity
Kanalu: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Kanalu by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kanalu during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Kanalu
Kanalu is a given name with origins that can be traced back to the Hawaiian language and culture. The name is believed to have derived from the Hawaiian word "kanalu," which means "the rolling surf" or "ocean waves." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have held significant meaning for the ancient Hawaiians, who had a deep reverence for the sea and its natural elements.
In Hawaiian mythology, the name Kanalu is often associated with the powerful and awe-inspiring forces of nature, particularly the ocean. It is said that the name was bestowed upon individuals who exhibited strength, resilience, and a connection to the natural world. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Hawaiian chants and oral traditions, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Kanalu was a renowned Hawaiian chieftain who lived in the 16th century. This chieftain was revered for his leadership, wisdom, and prowess in navigation and seafaring. His name, Kanalu, reflected his mastery over the ocean and his ability to navigate the treacherous waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands.
In the 18th century, another notable figure named Kanalu emerged. This Kanalu was a skilled navigator and explorer who played a crucial role in the discovery and mapping of many previously uncharted islands in the Pacific Ocean. His voyages and contributions to the understanding of the region's geography and cultures were significant, earning him a place in the annals of Hawaiian history.
During the 19th century, a famous Hawaiian warrior and leader named Kanalu gained recognition for his bravery and military prowess. He was celebrated for his unwavering defense of his people and their lands against foreign invaders. Kanalu's legacy as a fierce protector and symbol of Hawaiian resistance continues to be honored and remembered to this day.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Kanalu was a renowned Hawaiian artist and sculptor who lived in the early 20th century. His works, which often depicted scenes from Hawaiian mythology and culture, were celebrated for their intricate details and profound symbolism. Kanalu's artistic expressions played a vital role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian islands.
Beyond these historical figures, the name Kanalu has continued to be bestowed upon individuals across generations, carrying with it the symbolic weight and cultural significance associated with its Hawaiian roots. The name serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring connection between the Hawaiian people and the vast, powerful ocean that surrounds their island home.
People
Kanalu + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kanalu as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kanalu: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kanalu?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kanalu going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Kanalu a common name?
We classify Kanalu as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kanalu most popular?
The single biggest year for Kanalu was 2003, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kanalu is about 23 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Kanalu in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kanalu a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kanalu in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Kanalu still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kanalu in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Kanalu can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Kanalu as a first name?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.