What does Akira mean?
Akira is commonly written with a kanji meaning “bright” or “clear.”
What does Kanata mean?
Kanata carries the meaning “the far distance,” “beyond” or “over there.”
Akira vs Kanata
Which is more popular?
Akira is more popular than Kanata today: about 257 US babies were given the name Akira in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
| Akira | Kanata | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, clear | The far distance |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | ah-KEE-rah | kah-NAH-tah |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1973 | 2024 |
| Peak year | 2008 (424) | 2024 (5) |
| In 2025 | 257 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Akira
Kanata
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Akira | Kanata |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,378 | 5 |
| 2010s | 2,521 | 0 |
| 2000s | 2,625 | 0 |
| 1990s | 955 | 0 |
| 1980s | 288 | 0 |
| 1970s | 50 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Akira or Kanata more popular?
Akira is more popular than Kanata today: about 257 US babies were given the name Akira in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
What is the difference between Akira and Kanata?
Akira means Bright, clear (Japanese origin), while Kanata means The far distance (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Akira or Kanata?
In US records, Akira first appears in 1973 and Kanata in 2024, so Akira has the longer recorded history.