"place of reeds, reed-filled"
Origin: Hebrew (Qana)
Language: Hebrew
Cana
Pronunciation: [ k-AN-uh ]
Does Cana flow with your last name?
Where water turned to wine — a name of miracles
Biblical
Christian
Hebrew
Greek
Japanese
Spiritual
Gentle
Classic
Unique
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"syllabic script, graceful"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
"zealous, zealot"
Origin: Greek transliteration
Language: Greek
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The Story of Cana
Cana is primarily known as a biblical place name — Cana of Galilee — where the Gospel of John records Jesus performing his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding feast. The Hebrew 'Qana' (קָנָה) means 'place of reeds', from the word for a reed or cane plant. In Japanese, 'Kana' (仮名) refers to the syllabic writing systems (hiragana and katakana). As a given name, Cana carries both scriptural resonance and a pleasant simplicity.
Cana is gaining popularity among Christian families as a subtle biblical name that doesn't immediately read as religious. It offers the familiarity of names like Lana and Jana while carrying meaningful scripture connections. In Japan, Kana remains a common feminine name.
In Christian tradition, Cana is forever linked to the miracle of water into wine — the first public miracle of Jesus — making it a name rich with themes of transformation, joy, and divine grace. For Jewish families, the Hebrew root meaning 'reed' connects to images of the ancient Near East. In Japanese culture, Kana evokes literacy and the elegance of writing.
Historical Record
Cana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1973.
Over 655 babies have been named Cana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cana is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,592 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cana of Galilee is one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in Israel
- The miracle at Cana is the only miracle recorded exclusively in the Gospel of John
- In Japanese, kana script (hiragana and katakana) is taught to children as the foundation of reading and writing
Cana in Other Languages
Greek
Κανά
Latin
Cana
Arabic
قانا
Hebrew
קָנָה (Qana)
Japanese
かな (Kana)
Popularity Over Time
#5,592
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cana
K
Kana Hanazawa
Entertainer
1989
Prolific Japanese voice actress and singer known for anime roles including Angel Beats and Psycho-Pass
C
Cana Alberona Fictional
Other
Fan-favorite character from the manga/anime series Fairy Tail, known for her card magic and drinking prowess
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,592
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Biblical Christian Hebrew Greek Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, unique style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cana
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Cana
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cana
What does the name Cana mean?
"place of reeds, reed-filled" (from Hebrew (Qana)). "syllabic script, graceful" (from Japanese). "zealous, zealot" (from Greek transliteration). Cana is primarily known as a biblical place name — Cana of Galilee — where the Gospel of John records Jesus performing his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding feast. The Hebrew 'Qana' (קָנָה) means 'place of reeds', from the word for a reed or cane plant. In Japanese, 'Kana' (仮名) refers to the syllabic writing systems (hiragana and katakana). As a given name, Cana carries both scriptural resonance and a pleasant simplicity.
What is the origin of the name Cana?
Cana has Hebrew (Qana), Japanese, Greek transliteration, Biblical, Christian, Hebrew, and Greek origins. In Hebrew (Qana), it means "place of reeds, reed-filled". In Japanese, it means "syllabic script, graceful". In Greek transliteration, it means "zealous, zealot".
Is Cana a boy or girl name?
Cana is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cana?
Cana is pronounced k-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Cana?
Cana is currently ranked #5592 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cana?
Common nicknames for Cana include Cay.
What are good middle names for Cana?
Popular middle name pairings include Cana Grace, Cana Marie, Cana Rose, Cana Hope, Cana Faith, Cana Joy, and Cana Leigh.
What are good sibling names for Cana?
Names that pair well with Cana as siblings include Zara, Levi, Naomi, Eli, Lydia, Seth, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Cana have?
Cana has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cana a common or rare name?
Cana is an uncommon name, ranked #5592 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Cana?
About the Name Cana
Cana is a girl name with Biblical, Christian, Hebrew, Greek, and Japanese origins . The name means "place of reeds, reed-filled" in Hebrew (Qana) .
Cana is currently ranked #5,592 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cana has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cana include Cay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cana include Candace, Candy, Candice . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis