Haruka, derived from Japanese origins, is a unisex given name meaning 'far' or 'distant'. It's composed of two kanji characters: 'hara' (距) meaning 'distance' and 'ka' (香) meaning 'fragrance' or 'aroma'. The name Haruka gained prominence in Japan during the late 20th century, often used for both boys and girls. Its popularity has also spread to other countries with Japanese communities, such as Brazil and the United States.
The name Haruka experienced a peak in popularity around the early to mid-1990s, with over 17 births per year between 1993 and 1995. However, its popularity began to decline thereafter, dropping below 10 births per year after 2008. Despite this, Haruka remains a recognizable name, having been given to approximately 460 children in total over the years.