Nova Girl

Popularity: #45 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NOH-vah /ˈnoʊ.və/

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: 'new'; English: 'bright star'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Nova has its roots in the Latin word "novus," meaning "new." This etymological origin reflects the concept of renewal or freshness, which has been a significant theme in various cultures. The term "nova" also refers to a star that suddenly increases in brightness and then gradually fades, a phenomenon that was first documented in the early 16th century.

The adoption of the name into English can be traced through the influence of Latin on the development of the language, particularly during the Renaissance when classical texts were rediscovered and translated. Historically, the name Nova has been associated with various cultural and astronomical contexts.

In the 17th century, the term was used in the field of astronomy to describe the sudden brightening of stars, which contributed to its symbolic meaning of new beginnings and transformation. The name has also been linked to various literary works and artistic expressions, where it often embodies themes of hope and renewal.

Although not directly tied to any specific biblical figures or saints, the concept of newness resonates with many religious and philosophical traditions, enhancing its cultural significance. In addition to its linguistic and historical roots, the name Nova carries a sense of modernity and innovation, often evoking imagery of the cosmos and exploration.

This connection to the stars and the universe has made it a popular choice in various artistic and literary contexts, where it symbolizes aspiration and the pursuit of knowledge. The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as Novie, which can reflect personal or familial connections.

Overall, Nova encapsulates a rich tapestry of meanings and associations that have contributed to its enduring appeal across different cultures and eras.

Famous people named Nova

In this section, you will find notable people named Nova. 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 Nova who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Nova 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.

Nova is a television series best known for its documentary programming on science and nature.

Nova is a character in the video game series 'Final Fantasy' best known for its role in 'Final Fantasy IX'.

Nova is a character in the Marvel Comics universe best known for being a member of the Nova Corps.

Fictional characters named Nova

The following list of fictional characters named Nova is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Nova is a fictional character from the comic book series Marvel Comics. She is a member of the Nova Corps, a space patrol organization, and often serves as a superhero in the Marvel Universe.

Nova is a fictional character from the animated series Nova. They are a young superhero who gains powers from the Nova Force and fights against various threats to the universe.

Sibling suggestions

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

LunaStellaAriaMiraLyraCoraZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Nova. 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.

NoraMiraVeraTovaNinaZoeCleoLolaSophieMaya

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nova was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Nova has ranked as high as #76 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and Georgia.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Nova 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 Nova 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 Nova.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 4,806 149 4,657
2024 5,248 176 5,072
2023 5,519 237 5,282
2022 6,198 271 5,927
2021 5,851 277 5,574
2020 5,323 317 5,006
2019 4,591 259 4,332
2018 4,428 254 4,174
2017 3,287 230 3,057
2016 2,438 152 2,286
2015 1,658 129 1,529
2014 1,240 104 1,136
2013 646 79 567
2012 526 63 463
2011 336 41 295
2010 255 37 218
2009 273 42 231
2008 206 28 178
2007 170 23 147
2006 129 23 106
2005 124 21 103
2004 136 22 114
2003 112 13 99
2002 104 13 91
2001 105 19 86
2000 74 8 66
1999 65 10 55
1998 63 9 54
1997 48 10 38
1996 29 5 24
1995 22 0 22
1994 19 0 19
1993 21 0 21
1992 11 0 11
1991 20 0 20
1990 30 5 25
1989 22 6 16
1988 19 0 19
1987 20 0 20
1986 26 0 26
1985 38 0 38
1984 36 0 36
1983 36 0 36
1982 57 7 50
1981 53 0 53
1980 71 5 66
1979 76 6 70
1978 56 0 56
1977 85 0 85
1976 70 5 65
1975 57 0 57
1974 59 6 53
1973 48 0 48
1972 58 0 58
1971 52 6 46
1970 51 0 51
1969 36 0 36
1968 29 0 29
1967 35 0 35
1966 38 0 38
1965 35 0 35
1964 50 0 50
1963 72 0 72
1962 50 0 50
1961 23 0 23
1960 34 0 34
1959 21 0 21
1958 19 0 19
1957 32 6 26
1956 31 0 31
1955 39 0 39
1954 27 0 27
1953 25 0 25
1952 33 0 33
1951 33 0 33
1950 29 0 29
1949 42 0 42
1948 49 5 44
1947 34 0 34
1946 38 5 33
1945 27 0 27
1944 29 0 29
1943 47 8 39
1942 48 6 42
1941 35 0 35
1940 44 0 44
1939 49 0 49
1938 74 6 68
1937 60 7 53
1936 56 0 56
1935 72 0 72
1934 78 0 78
1933 58 0 58
1932 73 0 73
1931 82 7 75
1930 80 5 75
1929 109 5 104
1928 84 0 84
1927 77 0 77
1926 80 5 75
1925 100 6 94
1924 101 12 89
1923 85 5 80
1922 97 11 86
1921 96 5 91
1920 123 12 111
1919 96 9 87
1918 79 0 79
1917 90 5 85
1916 88 7 81
1915 77 8 69
1914 47 0 47
1913 64 5 59
1912 54 0 54
1911 41 5 36
1910 32 0 32
1909 39 0 39
1908 36 0 36
1907 32 0 32
1906 27 0 27
1905 30 0 30
1904 24 0 24
1903 21 0 21
1902 18 0 18
1901 23 0 23
1900 29 0 29
1899 20 0 20
1898 30 0 30
1897 18 0 18
1896 24 0 24
1895 20 0 20
1894 18 0 18
1893 9 0 9
1892 20 0 20
1891 13 0 13
1890 15 0 15
1889 12 0 12
1888 15 0 15
1887 6 0 6
1886 7 0 7
1885 12 0 12
1880 5 5 0

Top States for Nova (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
TX 463
9%
CA 395
8%
FL 352
7%
GA 286
6%
OH 242
5%
NY 237
5%
NC 236
5%
PA 193
4%
MI 187
4%
TN 157
3%
IN 147
3%
IL 140
3%
MO 135
3%
VA 131
3%
WI 121
2%
AZ 112
2%
SC 112
2%
KY 106
2%
AL 105
2%
WA 98
2%
LA 94
2%
NJ 92
2%
CO 82
2%
OK 81
2%
MD 79
2%
MN 67
1%
IA 63
1%
MS 62
1%
AR 57
1%
UT 50
1%
KS 43
1%
OR 39
1%
MA 39
1%
NV 36
1%
CT 35
1%
NE 35
1%
ID 29
1%
WV 28
1%
NM 28
1%
DE 22
0%
ME 21
0%
ND 17
0%
SD 16
0%
NH 16
0%
HI 14
0%
MT 14
0%
RI 12
0%
WY 12
0%
DC 12
0%
AK 8
0%
VT 6
0%