Kaniava is a village in , VarÃÂna district municipality, Alytus County, southeastern Lithuania. According to the 2001 census, the village had a population of 39 people. At the 2011 census, the population was 23.
The name Kaniava is of unclear origin. It may come from the river of the same name (Kaniava River, KaniavÃÂlàRiver) which may be of Finno-Ugric descent (for example, from 'a leech') or may be same origin as Slavic words kanja, kania, úðýà'a buzzard. Otherwise, the village name may be of prior origin and could come from personal names: , , which ultimately descends from Slavic úþýà'a horse'. It could be even a common name kaniava, úþýõàwhich could mean 'a stableman'.