MallowbyNames

Nova

NOH-vah · From the Latin nova, "new", best known as the astronomical term for a star that suddenly flares into brightness.

2025 rank (girls)
#46
Babies named in 2025
4,657
Peak popularity
2022
2025 frequency
1 in 345 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1993

Rising since 1993, #46 for girls today.

Popularity of Nova since 1880

Babies named Nova per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2k4k5.9k1880192019602000Most births 2022GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1880s525
1890s1870
1900s2790
1910s62939
1920s89161
1930s65725
1940s36924
1950s2836
1960s4020
1970s58923
1980s36018
1990s28939
2000s1,221212
2010s18,0571,348
2020s31,5181,427

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few 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

Variants: Novah, Novalee, Novaleigh

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Nova, our favorite little girl.

N is for Nova…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Nova's letter becomes Nova's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Nova's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Nova mean?
Nova is Latin for "new". In astronomy a nova is a star that suddenly flares into brightness, which gives the name its celestial glow.
How popular is Nova?
Nova ranked 46th for American girls in 2025, given to about 1 in every 345 girls. It has been rising since 1993 and peaked in 2022.
Is Nova a girl's or boy's name?
Nova is used mainly for girls in the United States, though a smaller number of boys receive it as well, Latin grammar happens to make it the feminine form of novus.
Is Nova a new name?
No, it appears in American records as far back as 1885, part of the Victorian fondness for word-names. It nearly vanished mid-century before its modern revival.
What names go with Nova?
Fellow celestial and nature picks pair naturally: Luna, Aurora, or Wren for a sister; Orion, Atlas, or Jasper for a brother.