Nova
A unisex name of Latin origin, meaning new; a brightening star.
How Nova has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #214 |
| 2016 | #136 |
| 2017 | #94 |
| 2018 | #55 |
| 2019 | #51 |
| 2020 | #38 |
| 2021 | #32 |
| 2022 | #32 |
| 2023 | #35 |
| 2024 | #39 |
| 2025 | #46 |
Nova by the numbers
In 2025, 650 babies in England and Wales were named Nova. In the US, 3,256 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
Names that come from Nova
Forms of Nova in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Novaleenew; a modern elaboration of Nova with Lee294 in the US (2017)
- Nova-Leenew; a form of Nova with Lee5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nova-Marienew; a form of Nova with Marie5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nova-Maynew; a form of Nova with May5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nova-Reignnew; a form of Nova with Reign5 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nova. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Nova
Names that are said the same way as Nova, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean a star
Like Nova, each of these has a star in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Stellastar5,038 in the US (2017)
- Marystar of the sea; beloved2,381 in the US (2017)
- Estherstar333 in England and Wales (2025)
- Miriamstar of the sea; beloved197 in England and Wales (2025)
- Orionhunter; name of constellation and mythological figure1,047 in the US (2017)
- Maryamstar of the sea or beloved825 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Nova
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