Kanyla
A feminine name possibly derived from the Greek word "kanna" meaning "reed".
Name Census estimates that about 357 living Americans carry the first name Kanyla. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kanyla today is around 11 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kanyla births was 2020 (33 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kanyla. 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.
People living today
357
~ 1 in 960,096 Americans
Peak year
2020
33 babies that year
Average age
11
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,202
Tracked since 2002
Popularity
Kanyla: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kanyla from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 167 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Kanyla remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kanyla 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 Kanyla during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kanylas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Kanyla
The name Kanyla is thought to have originated from a small village in the Punjab region of India, dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "kanula," which means "lotus flower." The lotus has been a significant symbol in Indian culture, representing purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening.
In ancient Hindu texts, the name Kanyla can be found in various interpretations and spellings, such as "Kanyala" or "Kanyala." It was often associated with goddesses or female deities, particularly those connected with fertility, beauty, and grace.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Kanyla can be found in a 17th-century Punjabi manuscript, where it was used to describe a young woman of exceptional beauty and virtue. This manuscript has since become a valuable historical record, providing insights into the cultural and social norms of that time period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kanyla. One such person was Kanyla Devi (1550-1620), a renowned poetess and scholar from the Mughal Empire. Her works, which focused on themes of love, spirituality, and human emotions, have been widely studied and celebrated.
Another prominent figure was Kanyla Bhawani (1720-1795), a brave warrior and military strategist who played a crucial role in defending her kingdom against invading forces. Her courage and leadership skills have been immortalized in various folk tales and ballads.
In the 19th century, Kanyla Singh (1835-1908) was a pioneering educator and social reformer who dedicated her life to promoting education and empowerment for women in her region. She established several schools and advocated for gender equality, challenging the societal norms of her time.
Kanyla Kumari (1910-1985) was a celebrated classical dancer and choreographer who made significant contributions to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Indian dance forms. Her performances and teachings have been an inspiration for generations of artists.
Lastly, Kanyla Rajput (1945-2010) was a prominent environmental activist and conservationist who tirelessly worked to protect the natural resources and ecosystems of her homeland. Her efforts earned her numerous awards and recognition, both nationally and internationally.
These are just a few examples of the remarkable individuals who have carried the name Kanyla throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the cultural richness and diversity of the world.
People
Kanyla + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kanyla 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
Kanyla: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kanyla?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 357 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kanyla 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 960,096 US residents.
Is Kanyla a common name?
We classify Kanyla as "Very Rare". It ranks above 81.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 360 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kanyla most popular?
The single biggest year for Kanyla was 2020, when 33 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kanyla is about 11 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 Kanyla in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kanyla a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kanyla in the SSA data are female. 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 Kanyla still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kanyla 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 Kanyla 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 are called Kanyla?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.