Nova

♀ Girl

Pronounced NOH-vuh /ˈnoʊ.və/High

Meaning: New; a nova — a star that suddenly flares in brightnessHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Latin for 'new,' Nova is also an astronomical term for a star that suddenly brightens explosively. A modern celestial favorite, it has rocketed into the U.S. top 20.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningNew; a nova — a star that suddenly flares in brightness

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,692

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Nova comes from the Latin nova (feminine of novus), meaning 'new.' In astronomy, a nova is a star that dramatically increases in brightness due to a nuclear explosion on its surface, before fading. The term was coined by Tycho Brahe in the 16th century.

Nova was uncommon as a given name until recently. Its rise has been meteoric — entering the U.S. top 100 around 2014 and the top 20 by 2021. It benefits from the popularity of celestial names (Luna, Aurora, Stella) combined with its crisp, modern sound and optimistic meaning.

Did you know? In astronomy, a nova is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion on a white dwarf star that causes it to suddenly brighten by up to a million times — making Nova a name that quite literally means a sudden burst of brilliant light.

Variations

NovahNovalee

Nicknames

NovyNoe

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nova…

Luna— shares the celestial theme and two-syllable ease

Aurora— equally cosmic and mythological

Stella— another Latin celestial name (stella = star)

Aria— shares the airy, modern, lyrical quality

Ivy— shares the crisp, nature-adjacent two-syllable appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nova mean?

Nova comes from the Latin nova (new) and in astronomy describes a star that suddenly explodes in brightness, making it a name meaning both 'new' and 'brilliantly luminous.'

How do you pronounce Nova?

Nova is said NOH-vuh /ˈnoʊ.və/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Nova a boy or girl name?

Nova is used almost exclusively as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is Nova?

Nova entered the U.S. top 20 girls' names around 2021 after one of the most rapid rises in recent naming history, driven by the popularity of celestial names.