Kaniava is a village in, Varėna 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.

Etymology

The name Kaniava is of unclear origin. It may come from the river of the same name (Kaniava River, Kaniavėlė River) which may be of Finno-Ugric descent (for example, from 'a leech') or may be same origin as Slavic words kanja, kania, каня 'a buzzard. Otherwise, the village name may be of prior origin and could come from personal names:, , which ultimately descends from Slavic конь 'a horse'. It could be even a common name kaniava, конеў which could mean 'a stableman'.