What does Aoi mean?
Aoi can mean “hollyhock” or “blue/green,” depending on the kanji.
What does Akira mean?
Akira is commonly written with a kanji meaning “bright” or “clear.”
Aoi vs Akira
Which is more popular?
Akira is more popular than Aoi today: about 257 US babies were given the name Akira in 2025, compared with 9 named Aoi.
| Aoi | Akira | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hollyhock; blue | Bright, clear |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | AH-oh-ee | ah-KEE-rah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1994 | 1973 |
| Peak year | 2014 (14) | 2008 (424) |
| In 2025 | 9 | 257 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Aoi
Akira
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Aoi | Akira |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9 | 1,378 |
| 2010s | 95 | 2,521 |
| 2000s | 81 | 2,625 |
| 1990s | 23 | 955 |
| 1980s | 0 | 288 |
| 1970s | 0 | 50 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Aoi or Akira more popular?
Akira is more popular than Aoi today: about 257 US babies were given the name Akira in 2025, compared with 9 named Aoi.
What is the difference between Aoi and Akira?
Aoi means Hollyhock; blue (Japanese origin), while Akira means Bright, clear (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Aoi or Akira?
In US records, Aoi first appears in 1994 and Akira in 1973, so Akira has the longer recorded history.