Kanya

Kanya is a term of Sanskrit origin that appears in several Indic languages. In Sanskrit, kanyā means "girl" or "maiden" and is used for a daughter or unmarried young woman. The word forms the basis for social and ceremonial phrases such as kanyā-dāna, the traditional act of giving away a daughter in marriage.

In astrology and popular culture, Kanya denotes the zodiac sign Virgo. In Hindi and other Indo-Aryan languages, Kanya Rashi or Kanya refers to those born under Virgo, symbolized by the maiden.

As a given name, Kanya is used for girls in parts of South Asia and among diaspora communities. It is commonly transliterated as Kanya or kanyā and carries its original meaning, though in modern usage it primarily serves as a personal name.

Beyond people, Kanya can appear in titles of literature, media, and organizational names as a direct borrowing from Indic languages.