kania

Kania is a surname of Polish, German, and Indian origin. In Poland, Kania is derived from the word "kania," meaning "kite," a bird of prey, suggesting an ancestral connection to falconry or perhaps a nickname related to the bird's characteristics. In Germany, it can be a topographic name for someone who lived near a marsh or swamp, derived from the Old High German "kane." In India, particularly in the Punjab region, Kania is a given name for males, meaning "young boy" or "child."

The surname Kania is found in various countries, with significant populations in Poland, the United States, Germany, and Canada. Notable individuals with the surname Kania include Polish politician and economist Krystyna Kania, and American musician and composer David Kania.

The word "kania" also refers to the Eurasian kite (Milvus milvus), a medium-large bird of prey with a distinctive forked tail. This bird is found across Europe and parts of Asia and North Africa. It is known for its aerial agility and its diet of small mammals, birds, and carrion. The association with this bird is the most common origin for the Polish surname.