What does Aoi mean?
Aoi can mean “hollyhock” or “blue/green,” depending on the kanji.
What does Kanata mean?
Kanata carries the meaning “the far distance,” “beyond” or “over there.”
Aoi vs Kanata
Which is more popular?
Aoi is more popular than Kanata today: about 9 US babies were given the name Aoi in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
| Aoi | Kanata | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hollyhock; blue | The far distance |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | AH-oh-ee | kah-NAH-tah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1994 | 2024 |
| Peak year | 2014 (14) | 2024 (5) |
| In 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Aoi
Kanata
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Aoi | Kanata |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9 | 5 |
| 2010s | 95 | 0 |
| 2000s | 81 | 0 |
| 1990s | 23 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Aoi or Kanata more popular?
Aoi is more popular than Kanata today: about 9 US babies were given the name Aoi in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
What is the difference between Aoi and Kanata?
Aoi means Hollyhock; blue (Japanese origin), while Kanata means The far distance (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Aoi or Kanata?
In US records, Aoi first appears in 1994 and Kanata in 2024, so Aoi has the longer recorded history.