"new, young"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Nova
Pronunciation: [ n-OHV-uh ]
Does Nova flow with your last name?
A celestial Latin name blazing with new energy
American
English
Latin American
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"stellar explosion, burst of light"
Origin: Latin/Astronomy
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Predominantly used as a girl's name in the US; a boy named Nova may face questions about gender
The Story of Nova
Nova comes from the Latin word 'novus' meaning 'new.' In astronomy, a nova is a stellar explosion that causes a star to dramatically brighten before fading — representing a spectacular burst of new energy. While Nova has surged in popularity as a girls' name in recent years, Nova as a boy's name carries powerful celestial and transformative associations, reflecting a growing gender-neutral approach to naming in modern culture.
Nova has surged as a girls' name in the 2010s–2020s, cracking the top 20 in the US. For boys, it remains rare but is part of a growing trend of parents choosing traditionally feminine or gender-neutral celestial names for sons, alongside Orion, Rigel, and Atlas.
In Spanish, 'nova' also means 'new,' making the name easily understood across Latin American cultures. In astronomy, novae are powerful stellar events, making the name feel both scientifically resonant and cosmically grand.
Historical Record
Nova first appeared in US Social Security records in 1957.
Over 2,923 babies have been named Nova in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nova is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,180 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- A nova is an astronomical event where a star suddenly increases in brightness by thousands of times
- Nova is also a long-running PBS science documentary series that has aired since 1974
Nova in Other Languages
Latin
Nova
French
Nova
Italian
Nova
Spanish
Nova
Portuguese
Nova
Popularity Over Time
#1,180
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Nova with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,180
- Total SSA Count
- 176
- Cultural Origins
- American English Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nova
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Nova is also used as a girl name, ranked #39.
View Nova as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Old High German origin
"god-helmet"
#1,290 in US
Eliezer
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Hebrew Bible origin
"God is my salvation"
#1,024 in US
Lazarus
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Hebrew origin
"God has helped"
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Latin origin
"reborn, born again"
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"glory and spear"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nova
What does the name Nova mean?
"new, young" (from Latin). "stellar explosion, burst of light" (from Latin/Astronomy). Nova comes from the Latin word 'novus' meaning 'new.' In astronomy, a nova is a stellar explosion that causes a star to dramatically brighten before fading — representing a spectacular burst of new energy. While Nova has surged in popularity as a girls' name in recent years, Nova as a boy's name carries powerful celestial and transformative associations, reflecting a growing gender-neutral approach to naming in modern culture.
What is the origin of the name Nova?
Nova has Latin, Latin/Astronomy, American, English, and Latin American origins. In Latin, it means "new, young". In Latin/Astronomy, it means "stellar explosion, burst of light".
Is Nova a boy or girl name?
Nova is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1180. As a girl name, it is ranked #39. Nova is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Nova?
Nova is pronounced n-OHV-uh.
How popular is the name Nova?
Nova is currently ranked #1180 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Nova?
Popular middle name pairings include Nova James, Nova Kai, Nova River, Nova Storm, Nova Lee, and Nova Blaze.
What are good sibling names for Nova?
Names that pair well with Nova as siblings include Orion, Atlas, Luna, Lyra, Zephyr, and Soleil.
How many syllables does Nova have?
Nova has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nova a common or rare name?
Nova is an uncommon name, ranked #1180 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Nova?
About the Name Nova
Nova is a boy name with American, English, and Latin American origins . The name means "new, young" in Latin .
Is Nova a boy or girl name? Nova is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,180 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #39. Nova is more commonly used as a girl name.
Nova is currently ranked #1,180 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Nova has 2 syllables and is pronounced n-OHV-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Nova include Novah, Novak . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis