Kanai may refer to:
- the Kanai, an ethnic group of Jews who settled the Kerala region in India.
- Kanai (Judaism), a zealot in the scriptures
- Kanai Anzen, an amulet
- Nirai Kanai, an Okinawan myth
- Nirai Kanai (MAX song), song by MAX based on the Okinawan myth
- Kainai Nation
- Kurnai language
Kanai (金井) is also a Japanese family name.
- Asami Kanai (voice actress)
- Kikuko Kanai (1911 - 1986), Japanese composer.
- Kiyotaka Kanai (astronomer)
- Mieko Kanai (fiction writer)
- Mika Kanai (voice actress, also known as Mika Yamadera)
- Mitsunari Kanai (aikido teacher)
- Yuta Kanai (actor)
Fictional characters:
- Izumi Kanai of Battle Royale
- Kanai of Kamen Rider Blade, human guise of the Giraffe Stag Undead