"snow-covered, snowy"
Nevada
Pronunciation: [ n-uhv-AHD-uh ]
Does Nevada flow with your last name?
A Spanish gem meaning 'snow-covered'
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Nevada
Nevada comes from the Spanish word 'nevada,' the feminine past participle of 'nevar' (to snow), meaning 'snow-covered' or 'snowy.' The name was applied to the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Spanish: snowy mountains) which forms the border between California and Nevada. The US state was named after this range when it joined the Union in 1864. As a given name, Nevada embodies the American love of place names with vivid natural imagery — ironic given that Nevada is actually the driest state in the US.
Nevada as a given name reflects the broad American trend of using state and place names as first names — following names like Montana, Dakota, Georgia, and Savannah. It has been used periodically as a girl's name throughout the 20th century, with gentle rises following the popularity of similar geographic names and the broader move toward nature-and-place-inspired naming.
Nevada holds a unique place in American culture as the 'Silver State' famous for Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, and vast desert landscapes. The Spanish heritage of the name connects to the American Southwest's deep Hispanic roots, making Nevada a genuinely bicultural name that bridges English and Spanish-speaking traditions.
Historical Record
Nevada first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,731 babies have been named Nevada in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nevada is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,012 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nevada is the driest state in the United States — making it charmingly ironic that its name means 'snow-covered'
- The Sierra Nevada mountain range, from which Nevada gets its name, includes Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet
- Nevada joined the Union in 1864, during the Civil War, earning it the nickname 'the Battle Born State'
Nevada in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nevada
Nevada Barr
Writer
1952
American mystery novelist known for the Anna Pigeon series set in US national parks
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,012
- Total SSA Count
- 37
- Cultural Origins
- American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nevada
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Nevada
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Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Nevada is also used as a boy name, ranked #7909.
View Nevada as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada
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About the Name Nevada
Nevada is a girl name with American and Spanish origins . The name means "snow-covered, snowy" in Spanish .
Is Nevada a boy or girl name? Nevada is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,012 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,909. Nevada is more commonly used as a girl name.
Nevada is currently ranked #4,012 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nevada has 3 syllables and is pronounced n-uhv-AHD-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Nevada include Nev, Neva, and Vada. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nevada include Nevaeh, Neva . 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