kanae

Kanae is a Japanese given name, most commonly feminine. In Japanese, it can be written in Hiragana as かなえ or Katakana as カナエ, and it can also be formed with various kanji characters, the meaning of which depends on the chosen forms. Because kanji differ, Kanae can carry meanings such as fulfillment or grant, blessing, fragrance, or prosperity, depending on the characters selected. The phonetic reading remains Kanae, while the written meaning varies with kanji. The name is typically used for girls, though rare masculine usages exist.

Kanae is widely used in Japan and appears in historical and contemporary contexts. It is also a common choice for female characters in Japanese fiction, contributing to its perception as a traditional and gentle name. In non-Japanese contexts, Kanae may be encountered among people of Japanese heritage or in translations.

Notable people named Kanae include individuals from fields such as literature, sports, entertainment, and academia. Because personal names depend on the kanji chosen by the parents, the specific meaning and associations of Kanae will vary by person.