Nova vs Riley

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Nova Rank #39
Riley Rank #42

Nova is more popular, ranked #39 vs #42 for Riley.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Nova ___

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

Riley ___

  • Riley Grace
  • Riley Mae
  • Riley Ann
  • Riley Jo
  • Riley Kate
  • Riley Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Nova

Luna Aurora Stella Leo Atlas

If you choose Riley

Avery Parker Quinn Logan Morgan

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 Nova or Riley more popular?

Nova is more popular, ranked #39 compared to Riley at #42 in the United States.

What do Nova and Riley mean?

Nova means "New" (Latin origin). Riley means "Courageous, valiant" (Irish origin).

Are Nova and Riley boy or girl names?

Nova is primarily a girl name. Riley is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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