Nava Girl

Popularity: #865 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NAH-vah //ˈnɑː.və//

Origin: Hebrew; Native American

Meaning: Hebrew: 'to be pleasant'; Native American: 'a sound of water'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Nava has its roots in Hebrew, where it means "beautiful" or "pleasant." This etymological origin can be traced back to the biblical context, as Hebrew names often carry significant meanings that reflect characteristics or virtues. The transition of the name into other languages and cultures is less documented, but it has been adopted in various forms across different regions, particularly in Jewish communities.

The name has also been used in some Native American cultures, where it can have different meanings, further enriching its linguistic diversity. Historically, the name Nava has been associated with various cultural and religious figures, particularly within Jewish tradition.

While there are no specific biblical figures named Nava, the use of names with similar roots has been prevalent in Jewish texts and traditions for centuries. The name's presence in Hebrew literature and its adoption in various Jewish communities throughout the Middle Ages contributed to its endurance.

Additionally, the name appears in some modern Hebrew literature, reflecting its ongoing relevance in cultural narratives. Culturally, the name Nava resonates with themes of beauty and pleasantness, which are valued traits in many societies.

This symbolic association has helped the name maintain its significance over time. In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of the name, such as Navah, have emerged, though these are less commonly referenced in historical texts.

Overall, the name Nava embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the values and traditions of the communities that have embraced it.

Famous people named Nava

In this section, you will find notable people named Nava. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Nava who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Nava who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Nava Semel is an author best known for Zorro's Shadow, The Man Who Wasn't There, and The Last Train to Istanbul.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nava, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Nava. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nava was first seen in the United States in 1923.

Nava has ranked as high as #4004 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, and Maryland.

In the past 5 years the name Nava has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Nava is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Nava was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Nava.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 83 83
2024 65 65
2023 79 79
2022 67 67
2021 64 64
2020 69 69
2019 77 77
2018 77 77
2017 58 58
2016 65 65
2015 71 71
2014 53 53
2013 54 54
2012 57 57
2011 44 44
2010 53 53
2009 42 42
2008 37 37
2007 34 34
2006 33 33
2005 30 30
2004 17 17
2003 24 24
2002 20 20
2001 18 18
2000 16 16
1999 11 11
1998 18 18
1997 8 8
1996 10 10
1995 10 10
1994 14 14
1993 5 5
1992 8 8
1990 11 11
1989 10 10
1988 6 6
1987 9 9
1986 7 7
1985 6 6
1984 11 11
1983 5 5
1982 9 9
1980 5 5
1977 9 9
1976 5 5
1972 7 7
1967 6 6
1929 5 5
1928 5 5
1923 6 6

Top States for Nava (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 14
50%
CA 8
29%
NJ 6
21%