Kana

Kana is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, Kana (かな) refers to the Japanese syllabic writing system and can mean 'powerful' or 'one who possesses capabilities.' In Hawaiian, it means 'goddess of the moon.' The name also appears in various other cultures: it has Sanskrit roots meaning 'youngest' and exists in Finnish as a variant of Kaarina. Kana's brevity and melodic quality make it appealing cross-culturally. The name has gained moderate international recognition while remaining distinctive. Its simplicity allows for easy pronunciation across languages, contributing to its global appeal. Kana embodies different virtues depending on the cultural context, from strength to celestial beauty.

Kana is also given to boys.

Pronounced KAH-nah.

As of October 2026, Kana ranked #8609 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4276 in 1995.