Nova

Pronunciation: [ n-OHV-uh ]

Boy Name #1,180 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A celestial Latin name blazing with new energy

American English Latin American

Modern Bold Earthy Unique

Meaning & Origin

"new, young"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"stellar explosion, burst of light"

Origin: Latin/Astronomy

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Nova

Nova (PBS Series)

Other

Long-running PBS science documentary series produced since 1974, known for making complex science accessible to broad au...

Long-running PBS science documentary series produced since 1974, known for making complex science accessible to broad audiences

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

Novah #2869 Novak #3543

Pairs Well With

Nova James Nova Kai Nova River Nova Storm Nova Lee Nova Blaze

Sibling Names

Orion Atlas Luna Lyra Zephyr Soleil

Also a Girl Name

Nova is also used as a girl name, ranked #39.

View Nova as a girl name →

Similar Names

Nathan Joel Noble Nova Nolen Snow Noella Noel

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.