Tova Girl

Popularity: #882 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TOH-vah /ˈtoʊ.və/

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Good

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tova has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "tov," which means "good" or "pleasant." This etymology connects to the biblical tradition, where the concept of goodness is often emphasized. The name appears in various forms throughout history, with its earliest occurrences in Hebrew texts, including the Old Testament, where the notion of goodness is a recurring theme.

The transition of Tova into other languages, such as Yiddish and later into English, reflects the migration and cultural exchanges of Jewish communities over centuries. Historically, Tova has been associated with various figures in Jewish tradition, although specific historical milestones are less documented compared to more prominent names.

The name's significance can be traced back to the medieval period, when it began to be used among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. The name gained further recognition through its inclusion in Jewish texts and its use in religious contexts, where it symbolizes virtue and moral integrity.

The 20th century saw the name being embraced by Jewish communities worldwide, particularly in the context of cultural revival and the establishment of Jewish identity. Culturally, Tova resonates with themes of kindness and benevolence, making it a name often given to girls with the hope that they embody these qualities.

The name has also been linked to various diminutive forms, such as Tovah, which maintain the original meaning while providing a more affectionate or familiar variant. The enduring nature of Tova in Jewish culture underscores its significance as a name that embodies positive attributes and moral values, contributing to its lasting appeal across generations.

Famous people named Tova

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

We also feature individuals named Tova 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.

Tova Borgnine is an actress best known for The Single Guy, The Love Boat, and The Devil's Daughter.

Tova Feldshuh is an actress best known for Walking the Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and Golda's Balcony.

Fictional characters named Tova

The following list of fictional characters named Tova 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.

Tova is a fictional character from the video game A Plague Tale: Requiem. She is a young girl who plays a significant role in the journey of the main characters, helping them navigate their challenges.

Sibling suggestions

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

LeahMayaSaraNinaEvaRuth

Similar names

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

TaliaTaraTinaTessaTaliahTania

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tova was first seen in the United States in 1942.

Tova has ranked as high as #3729 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, and Washington.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Tova 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 Tova 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 Tova.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 66 66
2024 66 66
2023 94 94
2022 81 81
2021 54 54
2020 72 72
2019 55 55
2018 60 60
2017 73 73
2016 67 67
2015 70 70
2014 42 42
2013 46 46
2012 62 62
2011 44 44
2010 55 55
2009 42 42
2008 55 55
2007 54 54
2006 37 37
2005 43 43
2004 43 43
2003 39 39
2002 46 46
2001 44 44
2000 38 38
1999 31 31
1998 35 35
1997 42 42
1996 39 39
1995 39 39
1994 42 42
1993 37 37
1992 34 34
1991 44 44
1990 37 37
1989 35 35
1988 44 44
1987 50 50
1986 52 52
1985 51 51
1984 63 63
1983 51 51
1982 30 30
1981 40 40
1980 32 32
1979 37 37
1978 31 31
1977 28 28
1976 27 27
1975 32 32
1974 23 23
1973 21 21
1972 24 24
1971 24 24
1970 21 21
1969 20 20
1968 24 24
1967 9 9
1966 14 14
1965 8 8
1964 15 15
1963 13 13
1962 18 18
1961 10 10
1959 16 16
1958 5 5
1957 8 8
1955 5 5
1954 9 9
1953 12 12
1952 5 5
1950 5 5
1948 5 5
1942 5 5

Top States for Tova (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
NJ 17
44%
NY 10
26%
MD 7
18%
CA 5
13%