Rising since 1993, #46 for girls today.
Popularity of Nova since 1880
Babies named Nova per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 52 | 5 |
| 1890s | 187 | 0 |
| 1900s | 279 | 0 |
| 1910s | 629 | 39 |
| 1920s | 891 | 61 |
| 1930s | 657 | 25 |
| 1940s | 369 | 24 |
| 1950s | 283 | 6 |
| 1960s | 402 | 0 |
| 1970s | 589 | 23 |
| 1980s | 360 | 18 |
| 1990s | 289 | 39 |
| 2000s | 1,221 | 212 |
| 2010s | 18,057 | 1,348 |
| 2020s | 31,518 | 1,427 |
Meaning & origin
Latin for "new" and astronomy's word for a star that abruptly blazes into view, Nova is a name that describes its own popularity curve. It looks like a twenty-first-century invention, but the records say otherwise: American parents were using it as early as 1885, when word-names like Pearl and Ruby were in fashion, and the 1930s British film star Nova Pilbeam gave it a brief glamour footnote.
The modern surge began in 1993 and turned steep in the 2010s as celestial names became a defining style of the decade. Nova peaked in 2022 and stood at 46th for girls in 2025, when about 1 in 345 newborn girls received it; Delaware, Hawaii, and Alaska are its strongest states. Among the cosmic cohort it is the punchiest option, two syllables, ending in the fashionable -a, with none of Aurora's length or Luna's ubiquity.
One practical note: like Luna and Aurora, Nova now has enough momentum that it no longer reads as unusual, just current. Parents wanting the celestial spark with more rarity sometimes reach for Lyra or Vega instead, but Nova's blend of brevity, meaning, and glow is hard to match.
Nova is the feminine form of the Latin adjective novus, "new". Its celestial sense comes from astronomy: stella nova, "new star", the phrase attached to stars that erupt into sudden visibility, fixed in scientific use after Tycho Brahe's De nova stella (1573) described the supernova of 1572. As an American given name it is older than it looks, Social Security records show it from 1885, part of the nineteenth-century taste for word-names, but it faded to near-extinction by mid-century. Its modern life began around 1993 and steepened dramatically in the 2010s, as space-flavored and celestial names (Luna, Aurora, Orion, Atlas) became one of the decade's defining styles.
Where Nova is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nova” around the world
Where Nova lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
26
babies in 2025
New Zealand
35
babies in 2025
Quebec
33
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Novie, Nov
Famous people named Nova
- Nova Pilbeam · English actress who starred in Hitchcock's Young and Innocent
Sibling names for Nova
Names that share Nova's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Luna, Aurora, Freya, Wren, Ophelia, Isla, Alora, Jade, Nyla, Alaia, Amayah, Amia, Amya, Aniah, Ariyah, Avaya, Caia, Elara, Era, Halo, Indie, Kaiyah, Kalli, Kehlani, Kya, Leia, Lux, Lyra, Mylah, Nyah, Ravyn, Rayn, Remi, Rya, Skyla, Sol, Star, Starla, Starr, Zayla, Zola, Zya, Airam, Amaiya, Amaria, Amerie, Amore, Arika, Aura, Avia, Avyanna, Aylah, Aylani, Ayva, Ayvah, Dejah, Delta, Eiza, Evolet, Jiana, Jovi, Jupiter, Jurnee, Kapri, Keiry, Khali, Korra, Lexa, Lyrik, Mileena, Miriah, Myka, Novalee, Ravin, Rebel, Romi, Ryah, Skylah, Skyy, Sury, Tesla, Vayda, Xyla, Zaya, Zeta, Zhuri, Ziah, Ziva, Zyla, Aella, Ahri, Airis, Ajia, Alura, Amri, Amyla, Analeia, Anayla, Arial, Arieal, Ariona, Ariza, Aryia, Atlantis, Auri, Avari, Aveyah, Avyana, Ayzel, Azara, Azayla, Azelia, Azora, Azuri, Briah, Caiya, Carisma, Choyce, Diva, Dymon, Eevee, Ehlani, Elexa, Emonie, Emya, Eriel, Erza, Esli, Esly, Everli, Ezmae, Galaxy, Gemini, Havanna, Hera, Ilani, Indi, Indica, Infinity, Iylah, Iyona, Jasani, Juna, Juni, Jurni, Kahli, Kaiah, Kaleia, Kamori, Kaoir, Keyra, Keyri, Khelani, Khloie, Khori, Kior, Klani, Kleo, Lariah, Lexia, Leyana, Lua, Lumen, Lunna, Lyriq, Maelie, Makaia, Mataya, Melah, Moon, Mylia, Mysha, Mystique, Naiyah, Navia, Nivia, Nuvia, Omni, Raevyn, Raiven, Romee, Sayge, Senna, Sevynn, Shilah, Shylo, Skai, Skarlett, Solara, Sole, Solei, Starlette, Starlyn, Starlynn, Synia, Taia, Tava, Teia, Terrah, Theia, Trenity, Tylah, Tylia, Vale, Vega, Vela, Veyda, Xandria, Xara, Xaria, Xavia, Xiana, Xoe, Xylah, Yuvia, Zaia, Zaiah, Zaiya, Zayah, Zaylah, Zaylie, Zela, Zemira, Zhamira, Ziana, Zianna, Ziona, Zori, Zoria, Zowie, Zuriah, Zury, Zyah, Zyanna, Zyra, Zyria, Abri, Admire, Adream, Aerith, Aivah, Aizlyn, Alazia, Aluna, Alyla, Ameri, Amyri, Anaeli, Areya, Arha, Arora, Arriel, Ase, Astella, Astra, Avanni, Aveya, Aviannah, Ayanni, Azaylia, Azyla, Beyla, Blyss, Briani, Calaya, Calea, Capria, Caya, Celes, Chia, Coi, Cyana, Dalexa, Deylani, Diani, Domino, Dynasty, Elaria, Elaysia, Eluney, Erial, Estreya, Etoile, Evea, Eyla, Ezme, Fable, Faelynn, Genesys, Haeven, Haiven, Hemen, Icelynn, Idali, Itali, Izel, Jadie, Jaeli, Janova, Jazline, Jernee, Jhade, Jirah, Jlyn, Juvia, Kaior, Kalii, Keydi, Kharma, Khiya, Khloi, Kiala, Knova, Kulture, Kyari, Kyliana, Labella, Legacie, Luma, Lumina, Lunabella, Lunah, Luxe, Lylla, Lynix, Lyrah, Maley, Mayven, Mazzy, Merica, Meyah, Miakoda, Milanni, Milany, Morningstar, Myca, Mylena, Mystery, Nahlia, Namiah, Navey, Nayvee, Nayvie, Neeva, Neytiri, Nil, Novali, Novalyn, Novi, Noya, Onica, Pariss, Paw, Phoenyx, Phynix, Pocahontas, Prisma, Quorra, Ravan, Rayen, Reighn, Rhemi, Saia, Sanii, Seylah, Shanik, Solar, Solaris, Soley, Solina, Solstice, Starsha, Stellar, Storie, Sua, Syanna, Syra, Tessla, Teyla, Thena, Theory, Tomorrow, Tria, Vee, Vendetta, Xariah, Xela, Xiara, Xylina, Yamari, Zaela, Zalani, Zarai, Zareth, Zavia, Zayanna, Zaydee, Zayli, Zea, Zeanna, Zenaya, Zenya, Zeva, Zhavia, Zionna, Zurii, Zyiah, Zylah, Zynia, Zyrah, Avaiyah, Azori, Estellar, Icis, Kween, Melona, Navea, Nyella, Nyna, Remedi, Zylie, Absalat, Aelita, Ahni, Ahriyah, Ainoah, Airess, Aiylah, Ajna, Alaira, Aleea, Aleli, Allexa, Alori, Alyzae, Amoria, Anahia, Anahlia, Aniayah, Anori, Anova, Anyra, Araia, Araiah, Ariday, Ariea, Arli, Aroura, Arzoi, Assyria, Atzi, Avaeh, Avaia, Avaiya, Avayla, Avonni, Aylanni, Azalyn, Azlin, Cedra, Celestial, Chevette, Ciela, Ciella, Clova, Clovia, Cortana, Crescent, Daia, Dailah, Dawt, Daylah, Demii, Denaly, Devaeh, Deya, Dreyah, Ecko, Eleven, Ellani, Ellionna, Elliyah, Elysium, Emora, Envi, Enyla, Eriyah, Eryss, Esmi, Evryn, Faline, Giah, Greeicy, Hailo, Horizon, Iceland, Indyah, Irys, Isys, Jahni, Jemini, Jenova, Jezel, Jolyne, Journe, Joyia, Juliyah, Jyra, Kada, Kahri, Kaijah, Kamy, Kayia, Kehlanie, Kehlanii, Keomi, Khaia, Kharlie, Khodi, Kima, Kimori, Kiora, Knyla, Kouvr, Kyelle, Kyira, Lamira, Leeloo, Levee, Leylany, Libra, Lillyth, Livana, Londan, Loza, Lun, Lunarae, Luxury, Macaiah, Mahli, Malanii, Meliya, Memori, Milian, Mirage, Moet, Myan, Myani, Naiah, Navee, Navie, Naviyah, Nayellie, Nayvi, Nebula, Neiva, Nesiah, Nevae, Nevia, Nolah, Novalea, Novaly, Novarae, Novis, Omani, Oriya, Pharah, Phenyx, Pryncess, Qiara, Rayvn, Rechy, Remee, Saelah, Samauri, Sanova, Sanye, Saveah, Saylem, Seleen, Seleni, Sevi, Sila, Simora, Siren, Ski, Skii, Skya, Skyra, Skyrah, Snoh, Solae, Soli, Starlee, Starlena, Starlit, Storii, Sundai, Syan, Syren, Teira, Ulanni, Vali, Veya, Xalia, Xalori, Xayah, Xee, Xenovia, Xoie, Xya, Xylie, Yahvi, Yzabelle, Zalea, Zamorah, Zanari, Zanova, Zariel, Zarra, Zaryia, Zaylia, Zeeva, Zema, Zeniah, Ziora, Zoua, Zuree, Zurri, Zyelle, Zyia
Brothers: Orion, Atlas, Kai, Jasper, Arlo, Phoenix, Koa, Jayce, Legend, Ace, Amaree, Anakin, Axle, Ayven, Champ, Creed, Dax, Ender, Jasiah, Javen, Joziah, Juelz, Kairo, Kanan, Kash, King, Kruz, Kylan, Kylo, Kyrie, Malakai, Mars, Marvel, Marvell, Omega, Rey, Titan, Tru, Unknown, Vander, West, Zavier, Zayden, Zayne, Zeppelin, Zyaire, Amere, Anjel, Atreyu, Avian, Axl, Azai, Blayze, Bode, Cayde, Chayton, Chozen, Cosmo, Cru, Daemon, Davien, Diesel, Emari, Ether, Fenix, Finnick, Jaxx, Jayvion, Jet, Jionni, Kaizer, Kalel, Kayvon, Khai, Khaza, Koah, Kolt, Kreed, Krue, Kyaire, Kyro, Lebron, Makari, Neo, Nile, Notnamed, Riot, Seven, Sire, Sylus, Talan, Taurus, Truth, Tyce, Tymir, Xavian, Xavior, Zade, Zakai, Zaylen, Zeus, Zyan, Zyon, Acen, Aceson, Aero, Aeson, Aldrin, Alias, Altair, Amarian, Amillion, Andry, Aquarius, Arias, Ariyon, Atom, Auron, Avant, Avante, Avenir, Aveon, Axyl, Ayce, Aydon, Azazel, Bane, Bodi, Bohdi, Brax, Brix, Caelum, Calix, Cire, Cobe, Cordae, Cylis, Demon, Domani, Drayven, Eon, Esiah, Eziah, Giani, Hendrixx, Hero, Huxton, Iam, Jaceon, Jahseh, Jaidin, Jayron, Jovian, Kailo, Kaio, Kaleth, Kawhi, Kepler, Kharter, Khi, Knight, Koe, Kol, Kove, Kree, Kru, Kruze, Kvon, Kyair, Kyon, Lakai, Lazer, Lucifer, Lyan, Lyfe, Magic, Mahki, Makhai, Makye, Malakye, Matix, Melo, Metro, Montae, Neizan, Orian, Oziah, Pheonix, Quest, Rael, Revel, Rigel, Riven, Rocket, Roczen, Rylo, Sagan, Samaj, Savian, Sevin, Shyne, Siah, Sirius, Sylar, Syon, Tavien, Tavius, Taz, Tidus, Tron, Tuff, Tytan, Tyus, Xaden, Xane, Xaviar, Xayden, Xian, Xion, Xzander, Xzavian, Yug, Zaeden, Zaedyn, Zael, Zalen, Zarian, Zarion, Zavien, Zaxton, Zaydin, Zaylan, Zaylon, Zayvian, Zayvier, Zenith, Ziaire, Zian, Zyhir, Zyire, Zylan, Zylen, Aeon, Aithan, Aking, Alegend, Anav, Anthem, Apolo, Arieon, Ario, Ariz, Asai, Astro, Aum, Aveion, Avid, Avien, Axcel, Axiel, Axxel, Azaire, Azarion, Azavier, Azion, Bastion, Brazen, Brixon, Calel, Caliber, Cashus, Chanze, Corion, Cruze, Cyaire, Cypher, Cyris, Czar, Daekwon, Daimian, Daymion, Deniro, Devean, Dio, Dj, Drako, Dravyn, Drayke, Dyland, Eilam, Elion, Endrick, Epic, Evo, Ezreal, Faizon, Helio, Hemi, Izaya, Izick, Jaeceon, Jairen, Jaki, Jakye, Janari, Jasier, Jayko, Jayvier, Jedi, Jesaiah, Jese, Jru, Julez, Kaemon, Kahne, Kailon, Kairee, Kaivon, Kaiyan, Kaizyn, Kalix, Kashius, Kayn, Keo, Khaos, Kingstin, Kiro, Kj, Koal, Kodah, Koden, Kolden, Koven, Kron, Kyzir, Legion, Lejon, Lenix, Leomar, Light, Lio, Macari, Machai, Magnum, Malekai, Marquee, Marqui, Marz, Mavric, Mehkai, Mercury, Myheir, Mylez, Negan, Nieko, Nox, Nyair, Nyko, Nymir, Nyyear, Ohm, Onix, Other, Phenix, Ra, Rakai, Ramari, Romar, Romari, Ryzen, Sanav, Saveon, Savier, Sevon, Shine, Slayter, Starlin, Symere, Syris, Talik, Trai, Travas, Travius, Truu, Tryton, Tycho, Tyion, Tyrez, Vash, Vian, Winner, Xayne, Xylan, Xyleek, Xyler, Xylo, Xylon, Xyon, Xzavien, Xzavior, Yaiden, Yerick, Yordy, Zai, Zaiel, Zarius, Zaron, Zavian, Zavior, Zaydyn, Zayin, Zaylyn, Zayon, Zayven, Zayvien, Zayvon, Zerek, Zylo, Zylon, Zymire, Zyren, Auryn, Avyon, Eithen, Enzi, Helix, Izic, Jeriko, Jiaire, Johnte, Kaelum, Kalyb, Khalee, Khriz, Khyro, Kyros, Ruxin, Zakhai, Zamere, Aaris, Acari, Acelin, Aceon, Acxel, Adryel, Adyen, Aedon, Ahzir, Aisea, Aivan, Aleph, Alian, Amais, Amiris, Amnen, Anzel, Aquan, Areon, Arkyn, Aro, Asah, Asaun, Asaya, Atari, Atlus, Aviyon, Awesome, Axzel, Ayeden, Azair, Bash, Benz, Billion, Brex, Brixx, Cartel, Cavani, Chao, Child, Cordai, Corvus, Cylan, Daden, Daemion, Dayvian, Dejay, Destan, Deuce, Deyvi, Dhani, Dharius, Drae, Draken, Dravon, Dune, Eizen, Ekko, Endi, Enzio, Esaiah, Euro, Eze, Ezren, Ezryn, Fenyx, Future, Gahel, Given, Haize, Ikal, Iniko, Isair, Izreal, Jacai, Jader, Janus, Javanni, Jaxel, Jayleon, Jayvan, Jazael, Jaze, Jazhiel, Jazziel, Jerik, Jhayco, Jkai, Jrake, Junah, Kaceon, Kado, Kaian, Kaiel, Kaihan, Kaii, Kaimir, Kainoah, Kaiyr, Kalden, Kalo, Kamai, Katai, Kaylum, Kayven, Kazen, Keiyon, Kenaz, Khoen, Khup, Khy, Khyaire, Khye, Khylo, Khymir, Khyzer, Kiam, Kiano, Kilo, Kix, Korde, Kovi, Kroi, Kvion, Kyen, Kyion, Kymeir, Kyrion, Kyrus, Kysir, Kyzeir, Lavie, Laydon, Legynd, Logic, Lucion, Luv, Luxx, Lycan, Lynk, Macai, Madyx, Maejor, Makbel, Matrix, Mazieon, Mazzi, Mega, Micai, Mykai, Naujour, Navier, Neziah, Nio, Nix, Noar, Noctis, Nylo, Nyxon, Ondre, Onyxx, Oryon, Oshen, Pax, Phoenixx, Quanta, Que, Rad, Rambo, Raymir, Rev, Riel, Riott, Ronon, Rykar, Ryze, Saiyan, Saiyr, Savir, Sevn, Seyon, Siyon, Sly, Sonder, Soryn, Stylez, Syier, Syir, Taeden, Taos, Thailan, Thanos, Thunder, Tiam, Tiwan, Tkai, Toretto, Tracer, Trei, Trek, Treu, Trillion, Triumph, Trystian, Uno, Vaylen, Vision, Vonn, Voyd, Vue, Xael, Xai, Xaine, Xaire, Xavious, Xavyer, Xen, Xxavier, Xzayvier, Yasiah, Yaxiel, Yeico, Yeiden, Zahkai, Zailen, Zaion, Zakkai, Zandyr, Zavi, Zay, Zaydn, Zeon, Zeplin, Zeven, Zhion, Zohan, Zolan, Zuma, Zyen, Zylin, Zylus, Zyonn, Zyrie, Zyrion, Zyron, Zyrus
Names like Nova
Names whose popularity has moved with Nova's over the last 50 years.

