James vs Nova

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Nova

Girl #39 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"New"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English Spanish Italian Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#39
Total SSA Count
5,044
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Nov, Novi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Nova →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Nova Rank #39

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #39 for Nova.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Nova ___

  • Nova Rose
  • Nova Grace
  • Nova Mae
  • Nova Jane
  • Nova Claire
  • Nova Jade

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Nova

Luna Aurora Stella Leo Atlas

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Nova more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Nova at #39 in the United States.

What do James and Nova mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Nova means "New" (Latin origin).

Are James and Nova boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Nova is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Nova Browse all baby names