Girls · #46 in 2025
Nova: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- Latin word used as a modern given name
- Meaning
- New
- Pronunciation
- NOH-vuh
- Nickname options
- Novi
Origin and meaning
Nova comes from Latin novus, meaning new, in its feminine form. The astronomical term nova adds a star-related association. As a given name, it combines a simple word root with imagery that feels expansive.
U.S. popularity
Nova ranked #46 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 4,657 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #32, reached in 2021–2022. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Nova is brief, bright, and assertive. The V gives it a stronger center than many airy two-syllable names, while the open ending keeps it approachable. It is a good fit for parents who enjoy contemporary names with a clear visual identity.
Things to consider
Nova's astronomy connection may be part of the appeal, but new is the underlying Latin meaning. Test it with other word names to hear the combined effect.
If you love Nova, consider…
- Luna: Offers a softer celestial choice.
- Stella: Brings a more traditional starry sound.
- Aurora: Expands the sky imagery into a longer name.
- Ivy: Keeps the V in a compact botanical option.
- Ava: Offers similar brevity and a polished feel.
- Zoe: Adds an energetic consonant and open vowels.
- Aria: Softens the center and adds musical imagery.
- Sienna: Brings another vivid, contemporary-feeling word association.