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