What does Hikaru mean?
Hikaru means “light” or “radiance” in Japanese.
What does Kanata mean?
Kanata carries the meaning “the far distance,” “beyond” or “over there.”
Hikaru vs Kanata
Which is more popular?
Hikaru is more popular than Kanata today: about 7 US babies were given the name Hikaru in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
| Hikaru | Kanata | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Light, radiance | The far distance |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | hee-KAH-roo | kah-NAH-tah |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1992 | 2024 |
| Peak year | 2006 (14) | 2024 (5) |
| In 2025 | 7 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Hikaru
Kanata
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Hikaru | Kanata |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 18 | 5 |
| 2010s | 36 | 0 |
| 2000s | 69 | 0 |
| 1990s | 46 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hikaru or Kanata more popular?
Hikaru is more popular than Kanata today: about 7 US babies were given the name Hikaru in 2025, compared with 0 named Kanata.
What is the difference between Hikaru and Kanata?
Hikaru means Light, radiance (Japanese origin), while Kanata means The far distance (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Hikaru or Kanata?
In US records, Hikaru first appears in 1992 and Kanata in 2024, so Hikaru has the longer recorded history.