Rising since 1992, #2,214 for girls today.
Popularity of Nava since 1923
Babies named Nava per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 16 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 21 |
| 1980s | 68 |
| 1990s | 95 |
| 2000s | 271 |
| 2010s | 609 |
| 2020s | 427 |
Meaning & origin
Nava is a name that carries a straightforward, pleasing meaning across cultures. In Hebrew it directly signifies beauty and pleasantness, while in Spanish it ties to geographic origins. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1923, but it remained rare for decades. Its trajectory shows a steady rise since 1992, and it reached its highest rank yet in 2025 (rank 2214). While it has not cracked the top 1000, its appeal is concentrated in states like New York, New Jersey, and California, reflecting strong use in Jewish and Hispanic communities. With a sound that fits current naming trends favoring short, vowel-ending names, Nava is likely to continue its gradual climb without becoming overly common.
Nava is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word 'na'ah' meaning 'beautiful, pleasant, or lovely.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a descriptive term. In Spanish, Nava is a habitational surname from any of various places called Nava, from the pre-Roman word for 'plain or valley.' As a given name, Nava has been used in Israel and among Jewish communities for its positive meaning.
Where Nava is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nava” around the world
Where Nava lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Navi, Nav
Sibling names for Nava
Names that share Nava's style, for a brother or sister.
