Nova Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Nova Name Meaning

Fact: In 2020 and 2021, Nova became one of the top 32 most popular names for girls in the USA, according to Social Security Administration data.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Nova Overview

Meaning

New

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word “novus”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈnoʊvə/

Popularity

Highly popular in the United States and European countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom; Held the 35th spot in popularity in 2023 in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Modern, Cool, Popular, Cute

Associated Traits

Innovative, creative, energetic, influential

Name Day

May 8th
A Deep Dive

Nova Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Novah, Novalee, Novaleigh, Novalynn, Noova

Common Nicknames

Novi, Vivi, Noa, Novie, Nova Bear, Novita, Novella

Diminutives

Novi, Novie, Noa, Viv

Famous People

  • Nova Miller
    (Swedish Singer and Multi-instrumentalist)
  • Nova Peris
    (Australian Former Olympic Athlete and Politician)
  • Nova Pilbeam
    (English Actress)
  • Nova Rockafeller
    (Canadian Rapper and Singer)
  • Nova Ren Suma
    (American Writer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Nova
    ("Planet of the Apes," Film)
  • Nova Prescott
    ("Prom," Film)
  • Nova Prime
    ("Guardians of the Galaxy," Film)
  • Nova Artino
    ("Renegades," Book Series)
  • Nova
    ("StarCraft," Video Game Series)

Places

  • Nova Scotia Province
    (Canada)
  • Nova Village
    (Ohio, USA)
  • Nova Venécia Municipality
    (Espírito Santo, Brazil)
  • Nova Lima City
    (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

What Is the Meaning of Nova?

The name Nova comes from the Latin word “novus,” which means “new.” It often reflects a sense of newness and freshness, and in astronomical terms, it describes a star that suddenly increases in brightness and then gradually fades​.

What Is the Origin of The Name Nova?

The name Nova originates in Latin, derived from the word “novus,” which means “new.” The name was first used in the 19th century, potentially inspired by its symbolic meaning of newness or its connection to astronomy, where a nova is a star that suddenly becomes brighter​.

Nova Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Nova in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#322021#322022#352023
Top 3 Rankings#322021#322022#352023

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Nova

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202335
(-3 from 2022)
5248
(-664 from 2022)
0.30002
202232
No change from 2021
5912
(+357 from 2021)
0.32971
202132
(+6 from 2020)
5555
(+557 from 2020)
0.31006
202038
(+13 from 2019)
4998
(+675 from 2019)
0.28274
201951
(+4 from 2018)
4323
(+151 from 2018)
0.23560
201855
(+39 from 2017)
4172
(+1120 from 2017)
0.22434
201794
(+42 from 2016)
3052
(+767 from 2016)
0.16155
2016136
(+77 from 2015)
2285
(+758 from 2015)
0.11803
2015213
(+74 from 2014)
1527
(+391 from 2014)
0.07827
2014287
(+239 from 2013)
1136
(+569 from 2013)
0.05807
2013526
(+92 from 2012)
567
(+104 from 2012)
0.02941
2012618
(+267 from 2011)
463
(+168 from 2011)
0.02387
2011885
(+242 from 2010)
295
(+77 from 2010)
0.01522
20101127
(-23 from 2009)
218
(-13 from 2009)
0.01112
20091104
(+263 from 2008)
231
(+55 from 2008)
0.01141
20081367
(+184 from 2007)
176
(+29 from 2007)
0.00845
20071551
(+353 from 2006)
147
(+41 from 2006)
0.00695
20061904
(-26 from 2005)
106
(+3 from 2005)
0.00507
20051878
(-180 from 2004)
103
(-11 from 2004)
0.00507
20041698
(+160 from 2003)
114
(+15 from 2003)
0.00565
20031858
(+77 from 2002)
99
(+8 from 2002)
0.00493
20021935
(+43 from 2001)
91
(+5 from 2001)
0.00461
20011978
(+353 from 2000)
86
(+20 from 2000)
0.00434
20002331
(+236 from 1999)
66
(+11 from 1999)
0.00331
19992567
(-38 from 1998)
55
(+1 from 1998)
0.00283
19982529
(+576 from 1997)
54
(+16 from 1997)
0.00279
19973105
(+1201 from 1996)
38
(+14 from 1996)
0.00199
19964306
(+212 from 1995)
24
(+2 from 1995)
0.00125
19954518
(+498 from 1994)
22
(+3 from 1994)
0.00114
19945016
(-346 from 1993)
19
(-2 from 1993)
0.00097
19934670
(+2842 from 1992)
21
(+10 from 1992)
0.00107
19927512
(-2705 from 1991)
11
(-9 from 1991)
0.00055
19914807
(-805 from 1990)
20
(-5 from 1990)
0.00098
19904002
(+1284 from 1989)
25
(+9 from 1989)
0.00122
19895286
(-790 from 1988)
16
(-3 from 1988)
0.00080
19884496
(-375 from 1987)
19
(-1 from 1987)
0.00099
19874121
(-761 from 1986)
20
(-6 from 1986)
0.00107
19863360
(-815 from 1985)
26
(-12 from 1985)
0.00141
19852545
(+29 from 1984)
38
(+2 from 1984)
0.00206
19842574
(-58 from 1983)
36
No change from 1983
0.00200
19832516
(-466 from 1982)
36
(-14 from 1982)
0.00201
19822050
(-65 from 1981)
50
(-3 from 1981)
0.00276
19811985
(-281 from 1980)
53
(-13 from 1980)
0.00296
19801704
(-99 from 1979)
66
(-4 from 1979)
0.00371
19791605
(+199 from 1978)
70
(+14 from 1978)
0.00406
19781804
(-463 from 1977)
56
(-29 from 1977)
0.00341
19771341
(+210 from 1976)
85
(+20 from 1976)
0.00517
19761551
(+121 from 1975)
65
(+8 from 1975)
0.00414
19751672
(+37 from 1974)
57
(+4 from 1974)
0.00365
19741709
(+78 from 1973)
53
(+5 from 1973)
0.00338
19731787
(-210 from 1972)
48
(-10 from 1972)
0.00309
19721577
(+298 from 1971)
58
(+12 from 1971)
0.00360
19711875
(-120 from 1970)
46
(-5 from 1970)
0.00262
19701755
(+347 from 1969)
51
(+15 from 1969)
0.00278
19692102
(+144 from 1968)
36
(+7 from 1968)
0.00204
19682246
(-265 from 1967)
29
(-6 from 1967)
0.00170
19671981
(-122 from 1966)
35
(-3 from 1966)
0.00204
19661859
(+91 from 1965)
38
(+3 from 1965)
0.00216
19651950
(-340 from 1964)
35
(-15 from 1964)
0.00192
19641610
(-312 from 1963)
50
(-22 from 1963)
0.00255
19631298
(+300 from 1962)
72
(+22 from 1962)
0.00362
19621598
(+944 from 1961)
50
(+27 from 1961)
0.00247
19612542
(-589 from 1960)
23
(-11 from 1960)
0.00111
19601953
(+564 from 1959)
34
(+13 from 1959)
0.00163
19592517
(+145 from 1958)
21
(+2 from 1958)
0.00101
19582662
(-495 from 1957)
19
(-7 from 1957)
0.00092
19572167
(-237 from 1956)
26
(-5 from 1956)
0.00124
19561930
(-289 from 1955)
31
(-8 from 1955)
0.00151
19551641
(+386 from 1954)
39
(+12 from 1954)
0.00195
19542027
(+44 from 1953)
27
(+2 from 1953)
0.00136
19532071
(-358 from 1952)
25
(-8 from 1952)
0.00130
19521713
(-47 from 1951)
33
No change from 1951
0.00174
19511666
(+98 from 1950)
33
(+4 from 1950)
0.00179
19501764
(-341 from 1949)
29
(-13 from 1949)
0.00165
19491423
(-37 from 1948)
42
(-2 from 1948)
0.00239
19481386
(+247 from 1947)
44
(+10 from 1947)
0.00252
19471633
(-101 from 1946)
34
(+1 from 1946)
0.00187
19461532
(+56 from 1945)
33
(+6 from 1945)
0.00205
19451588
(-69 from 1944)
27
(-2 from 1944)
0.00201
19441519
(-214 from 1943)
29
(-10 from 1943)
0.00212
19431305
(-76 from 1942)
39
(-3 from 1942)
0.00272
19421229
(+65 from 1941)
42
(+7 from 1941)
0.00302
19411294
(-206 from 1940)
35
(-9 from 1940)
0.00281
19401088
(-78 from 1939)
44
(-5 from 1939)
0.00372
19391010
(-153 from 1938)
49
(-19 from 1938)
0.00432
1938857
(+93 from 1937)
68
(+15 from 1937)
0.00596
1937950
(-41 from 1936)
53
(-3 from 1936)
0.00481
1936909
(-111 from 1935)
56
(-16 from 1935)
0.00520
1935798
(-42 from 1934)
72
(-6 from 1934)
0.00663
1934756
(+131 from 1933)
78
(+20 from 1933)
0.00721
1933887
(-92 from 1932)
58
(-15 from 1932)
0.00554
1932795
(-18 from 1931)
73
(-2 from 1931)
0.00660
1931777
(+41 from 1930)
75
No change from 1930
0.00680
1930818
(-128 from 1929)
75
(-29 from 1929)
0.00643
1929690
(+91 from 1928)
104
(+20 from 1928)
0.00898
1928781
(+58 from 1927)
84
(+7 from 1927)
0.00703
1927839
(+15 from 1926)
77
(+2 from 1926)
0.00623
1926854
(-90 from 1925)
75
(-19 from 1925)
0.00610
1925764
(+24 from 1924)
94
(+5 from 1924)
0.00744
1924788
(+31 from 1923)
89
(+9 from 1923)
0.00687
1923819
(-35 from 1922)
80
(-6 from 1922)
0.00639
1922784
(-18 from 1921)
86
(-5 from 1921)
0.00689
1921766
(-76 from 1920)
91
(-20 from 1920)
0.00711
1920690
(+62 from 1919)
111
(+24 from 1919)
0.00892
1919752
(+50 from 1918)
87
(+8 from 1918)
0.00741
1918802
(-49 from 1917)
79
(-6 from 1917)
0.00657
1917753
(+8 from 1916)
85
(+4 from 1916)
0.00756
1916761
(+30 from 1915)
81
(+12 from 1915)
0.00746
1915791
(+64 from 1914)
69
(+22 from 1914)
0.00674
1914855
(-181 from 1913)
47
(-12 from 1913)
0.00590
1913674
(+4 from 1912)
59
(+5 from 1912)
0.00901
1912678
(+44 from 1911)
54
(+18 from 1911)
0.00920
1911722
(+31 from 1910)
36
(+4 from 1910)
0.00815
1910753
(-129 from 1909)
32
(-7 from 1909)
0.00763
1909624
(+15 from 1908)
39
(+3 from 1908)
0.01060
1908639
(+27 from 1907)
36
(+4 from 1907)
0.01015
1907666
(+41 from 1906)
32
(+5 from 1906)
0.00948
1906707
(-65 from 1905)
27
(-3 from 1905)
0.00861
1905642
(+68 from 1904)
30
(+6 from 1904)
0.00968
1904710
(+24 from 1903)
24
(+3 from 1903)
0.00821
1903734
(+84 from 1902)
21
(+3 from 1902)
0.00755
1902818
(-159 from 1901)
18
(-5 from 1901)
0.00642
1901659
(-3 from 1900)
23
(-6 from 1900)
0.00905
1900656
(+48 from 1899)
29
(+9 from 1899)
0.00913
1899704
(-118 from 1898)
20
(-10 from 1898)
0.00808
1898586
(+149 from 1897)
30
(+12 from 1897)
0.01094
1897735
(-100 from 1896)
18
(-6 from 1896)
0.00725
1896635
(+68 from 1895)
24
(+4 from 1895)
0.00952
1895703
(-6 from 1894)
20
(+2 from 1894)
0.00809
1894697
(+326 from 1893)
18
(+9 from 1893)
0.00763
18931023
(-385 from 1892)
9
(-11 from 1892)
0.00400
1892638
(+112 from 1891)
20
(+7 from 1891)
0.00889
1891750
(-57 from 1890)
13
(-2 from 1890)
0.00661
1890693
(+64 from 1889)
15
(+3 from 1889)
0.00744
1889757
(-94 from 1888)
12
(-3 from 1888)
0.00634
1888663
(+373 from 1887)
15
(+9 from 1887)
0.00792
18871036
(-139 from 1886)
6
(-1 from 1886)
0.00386
1886897
(-268 from 1885)
7
(-5 from 1885)
0.00455
1885629
First SSA data recorded
12
First SSA data recorded
0.00845
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Nova

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#452021#392022#522023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#712021#622022#682023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#282021#342022#382023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#152021#152022#232023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#172021#152022#132023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#112021#102022#92023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#562021#522022#522023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#332021#242022#252023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#242021#162022#222023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#362021#442022#292023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#212021#122022#192023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#152021#172022#162023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#142021#142022#252023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#182021#132022#242023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#402021#262022#452023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#132021#202022#222023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#492021#422022#522023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#142021#102022#92023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#262021#222022#482023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#152021#122022#92023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#252021#142022#272023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#392021#402022#382023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#632021#612022#742023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#112021#112022#142023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#402021#512022#372023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#162021#142022#192023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#552021#272022#602023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#492021#342022#512023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#982021#642022#832023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#462021#312022#802023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#62021#42022#92023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#312021#242022#192023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#172021#132022#222023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#202021#322022#392023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#442021#512022#532023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#202021#202022#212023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1182021#392022#242023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#342021#222022#492023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#582021#402022#362023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#252021#312022#232023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#372021#382022#952023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#242021#272022#452023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#972021#302022#362023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#502021#252022#592023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#882021#652022#602023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#272021#912022#282023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#282021#232022#802023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1532021#732022#1062023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#442021#1392022#702023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#402021#92022#222023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#802021#342022#892023

Popularity Rankings for Nova in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#92020

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#352021#402022#422023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#612021#582022#442023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1352021#622022#702023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#912021#862022#1052023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1862019#1442020#1012021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1712021#1222022#1112023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1822020#1532022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2372021#2432022#1782023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1902021#2322022#3642023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3062020#2332021#2612022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4572021#3582022#3062023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4042020#5482021#4442022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Nova a Name for Boys or Girls?

Nova is considered a gender-neutral name, though it is predominantly used for girls. It has become more popular for girls in recent years, rising significantly in popularity rankings for female names.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Nova

  • Novah
  • Novalee
  • Novaleigh
  • Novalynn
  • Noova
  • Novi
  • Vivi
  • Noa
  • Novie
  • Nova Bear
  • Novita
  • Novella
  • Novi
  • Novie
  • Novie
  • Noa
  • Viv

Nova in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Nova Miller (Singer, born 2000): A Swedish singer and multi-instrumentalist known for her dynamic music career.
  • Nova Peris (Athlete, born 1971): An Australian former Olympic athlete and politician, celebrated as the first Aboriginal Australian Olympic gold medalist.
  • Nova Pilbeam (Actress, 1919-2015): An English actress famous for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock's 1930s films.
  • Nova Rockafeller (Rapper and Singer, born 1988): A Canadian rapper and singer, known for her vibrant and energetic musical performances.
  • Nova Ren Suma (Writer, born 1975): An American writer renowned for her young adult novels featuring complex themes.
  • Nova ("Planet of the Apes," 1968 Film): A character known for her non-verbal communication and strong connection with the protagonist.
  • Nova Prescott ("Prom," 2011 Film): An overachieving high school senior who is passionate about organizing the perfect prom.
  • Nova Prime ("Guardians of the Galaxy," 2014 Film): The leader of the Nova Corps, tasked with protecting the galaxy.
  • Nova Artino ("Renegades," 2017 Book Series by Marissa Meyer): A girl with the power to put people to sleep, who seeks revenge against a group of superheroes.
  • Nova ("StarCraft," 2010 Video Game Series): A powerful Terran ghost operative known for her psychic abilities.
  • Nova Scotia, Canada: This is a province in eastern Canada known for its picturesque coastlines and maritime culture.
  • Nova, Ohio, USA: A small village in the United States, offering a quaint, rural setting.
  • Nova Venécia, Espírito Santo, Brazil: A municipality in Brazil, known for its vibrant community and local culture.
  • Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil: A city near Belo Horizonte with historical significance in mining.

Similar Names to Nova

Sibling Names for Nova

Parents Who Like the Name Nova Also Like

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Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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