Find out how popular the first name Kanaya has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kanaya by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Kanaya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kanaya.

The history of the first name Kanaya

The name Kanaya is of Japanese origin and is believed to have originated during the Heian period (794-1185 AD) in Japan. The name is derived from the Japanese words "kana," which refers to the Japanese syllabic script, and "ya," which can mean "house" or "dwelling." Together, the name Kanaya can be interpreted to mean "the house of kana."

In ancient Japan, the development of the kana script was a significant milestone in the history of Japanese literature and writing. During the Heian period, the kana script became widely used, particularly in works of poetry and prose written by women of the imperial court. As a result, the name Kanaya may have been associated with literary pursuits and the cultural refinement of the aristocratic class.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kanaya can be found in the "Genji Monogatari" (The Tale of Genji), a Japanese classic written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. The name appears as a minor character in the novel, suggesting that it was in use during this time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kanaya. One such figure was Kanaya Naizen (1828-1890), a Japanese writer and scholar who played a significant role in the development of modern Japanese literature during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

Another notable Kanaya was Kanaya Hanzo (1541-1616), a renowned samurai warrior and military strategist who served under the powerful daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). Kanaya Hanzo was known for his expertise in guerrilla tactics and played a crucial role in several battles that led to the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

In the realm of art, Kanaya Oguri (1763-1838) was a celebrated Japanese painter and printmaker during the Edo period (1603-1868). He was particularly renowned for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which depicted scenes from everyday life in Edo (present-day Tokyo).

Kanaya Yoshinobu (1845-1924) was a Japanese statesman and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Meiji period. He played a pivotal role in negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905.

Finally, Kanaya Hanshichi (1849-1923) was a Japanese entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the Kanaya Company, one of the earliest modern corporations in Japan. He was instrumental in introducing Western business practices and technologies to the country during the Meiji era.

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 Kanaya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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