Find out how popular the first name Kanami has been for the last 2 years (from 2022 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kanami by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Kanami is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kanami.

The history of the first name Kanami

The name Kanami is of Japanese origin and is predominantly used as a feminine given name. It is believed to have originated during the Heian period, which spanned from the late 8th century to the late 12th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Japanese words "ka" meaning "fragrance" and "nami" meaning "wave," thus signifying a fragrant or beautiful wave.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kanami can be found in the literary classic "The Tale of Genji," written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. In this work, Kanami is mentioned as the name of a minor character, suggesting that the name was in use during that time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kanami. One of the most renowned was Kanami Kiyotsugu (1333-1384), a prominent Noh playwright and actor who is credited with establishing the Kanze school of Noh theater, one of the most influential and prestigious schools of the art form.

Another notable figure was Kanami Keiko (1562-1638), a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Japanese history. Her works were highly regarded for their elegance and mastery of the brush.

In the realm of modern Japanese literature, Kanami Shiono (1912-1999) was a celebrated author and novelist. She is best known for her novel "Kyōshi," which explores the life of a teacher in post-war Japan and was awarded the prestigious Noma Literary Prize in 1967.

Kanami Harada (born 1992) is a contemporary Japanese singer and actress. She rose to prominence as a member of the popular Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z and has since pursued a successful solo career in music and acting.

Kanami Mochizuki (born 1982) is a Japanese voice actress known for her work in various anime series, including her portrayal of Mahiro Yasaka in the popular series "Haganai" and Yuzuki Shiraishi in "The Fruit of Grisaia."

It is important to note that while these individuals represent notable examples of people who bore the name Kanami, the name has been used throughout Japanese history and continues to be a popular choice among Japanese families today.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kanami was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kanami, please contact us.

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