Kanaka is an Indian given name. The Sanskrit word kanaka has the primary meaning "gold". Notable persons with the name include:
Kanaka (actress) (born 1973), South Indian film actress
Kanaka Dasa (1509 – 1609), Kannada-language poet, philosopher, musician and composer
Kanaka Ha Ma (born 1964), Kannada-language writer
Kanaka Herath, Shri Lankan politician
Kanaka Srinivasan, Indian classical dancer
T. S. Kanaka (born 1932), Indian neurosurgeon