"new"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Novah
Girl Name
#893 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
A star that blazes new and bright
American
English
Modern
Trendy
Unique
Whimsical
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"star that suddenly brightens"
Origin: Latin/Astronomical
Language: English
The Story of Novah
Novah is a variant spelling of Nova, from the Latin novus meaning new. In astronomy, a nova is a star that temporarily and dramatically increases in brightness before returning to its original state — a spectacular celestial event. The added h ending, common in soft feminine names like Norah, Hannah, and Sarah, gives Novah a warmer, more lyrical feel than the bare Nova.
Nova surged dramatically in the 2010s, propelled by the space-naming trend, the popularity of cosmic baby names (Luna, Stella, Aurora), and the beloved PBS science documentary series Nova. Nova entered the US top 100 girls names in the mid-2010s.
The nova astronomical event — a star suddenly blazing bright — serves as a powerful metaphor for a child who will illuminate the world. In Latin, the word nova also means new, making it a name of both newness and brilliance.
Fun Facts
- A nova occurs when a white dwarf star steals gas from a companion star and ignites in a thermonuclear explosion
- The PBS science documentary series NOVA has aired since 1974, one of the longest-running science shows in history
Novah in Other Languages
Latin
Nova
French
Nova
Italian
Nova
Spanish
Nova
Portuguese
Nova
Famous People Named Novah
N
Nova Peris
Athlete
1971
Australian Aboriginal athlete, first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal (1996 Atlanta, field hockey)
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #893
- Total SSA Count
- 300
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nova
Novi
Pairs Well With
Novah Grace
Novah Rose
Novah Mae
Novah Jean
Novah Lynn
Novah Claire
Novah Star
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Novah is also used as a boy name, ranked #2869.
View Novah as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Novah
What does the name Novah mean?
"new" (from Latin). "star that suddenly brightens" (from Latin/Astronomical). Novah is a variant spelling of Nova, from the Latin novus meaning new. In astronomy, a nova is a star that temporarily and dramatically increases in brightness before returning to its original state — a spectacular celestial event. The added h ending, common in soft feminine names like Norah, Hannah, and Sarah, gives Novah a warmer, more lyrical feel than the bare Nova.
What is the origin of the name Novah?
Novah has Latin, Latin/Astronomical, American, and English origins. In Latin, it means "new". In Latin/Astronomical, it means "star that suddenly brightens".
Is Novah a boy or girl name?
Novah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #893. As a boy name, it is ranked #2869. Novah is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Novah?
Novah is currently ranked #893 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Novah?
Common nicknames for Novah include Nova and Novi.
What are good middle names for Novah?
Popular middle name pairings include Novah Grace, Novah Rose, Novah Mae, Novah Jean, Novah Lynn, Novah Claire, and Novah Star.
What are good sibling names for Novah?
Names that pair well with Novah as siblings include Luna, Aurora, Stella, Orion, Atlas, Celeste, and Sienna.
How many syllables does Novah have?
Novah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Novah a common or rare name?
Novah is moderately common, ranked #893 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Novah
Novah is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "new" in Latin .
Is Novah a boy or girl name? Novah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #893 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,869. Novah is more commonly used as a girl name.
Novah is currently ranked #893 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Novah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Novah include Nova and Novi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Novah include Nova, Novalee, Novaleigh, Novalynn, Novalie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.