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