Tova

Girl Name #2,661 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The Hebrew word for good, simply and beautifully

Jewish Scandinavian Israeli

Classic Spiritual Elegant Unique Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"good, goodness"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"beautiful thunder"

Origin: Old Norse

Language: Swedish

The Story of Tova

Tova comes from the Hebrew root "tov" (טוב) meaning "good" or "goodness." It is one of the most fundamental words in Hebrew — "tov" appears in Genesis when God sees creation and declares it "good" (tov). The name has been used in Jewish communities for centuries and is also a traditional Scandinavian name meaning roughly "the thunder's beautiful one."

Tova has been a traditional Jewish name, particularly in Ashkenazi communities. It has seen growing interest among parents seeking short, strong Hebrew names with clear positive meanings. Israeli actress Tovah Feldshuh popularized the variant spelling in America.

"Tov" is among the most important words in Jewish tradition — it appears at Creation and underlies concepts of goodness, beauty, and moral rightness. Naming a daughter Tova is an expression of hope that she will embody goodness.

Fun Facts

The Hebrew word tov (good) appears 7 times in Genesis 1, as God evaluates each day of creation
Tova is both a Hebrew and Old Norse/Scandinavian name, with completely different origins but similar sounds

Tova in Other Languages

Hebrew טובה

Swedish Tova

Yiddish Tova

Norwegian Tova

Famous People Named Tova

Tovah Feldshuh

Actor

1952

American actress known for The Walking Dead and her stage role in Golda's Balcony

Tova Borgnine

Business

1935

Norwegian-American businesswoman and celebrity perfumer, wife of Ernest Borgnine

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,661
Total SSA Count: 65
Cultural Origins: Jewish Scandinavian Israeli
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Pairs Well With

Tova Ruth Tova Miriam Tova Leah Tova Sarah Tova Grace Tova Rose Tova Anne

Sibling Names

Shira Noa Ora Ilan Yael Lev Tzvi

Similar Names

Nola Dove Nava Noah Novalee Ahuva Jovi Navya

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Tova and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Tova sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Tova

What does the name Tova mean?

"good, goodness" (from Hebrew). "beautiful thunder" (from Old Norse). Tova comes from the Hebrew root "tov" (טוב) meaning "good" or "goodness." It is one of the most fundamental words in Hebrew — "tov" appears in Genesis when God sees creation and declares it "good" (tov). The name has been used in Jewish communities for centuries and is also a traditional Scandinavian name meaning roughly "the thunder's beautiful one."

What is the origin of the name Tova?

Tova has Hebrew, Old Norse, Jewish, Scandinavian, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "good, goodness". In Old Norse, it means "beautiful thunder".

Is Tova a boy or girl name?

Tova is primarily used as a girl name.

How popular is the name Tova?

Tova is currently ranked #2661 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Tova?

Popular middle name pairings include Tova Ruth, Tova Miriam, Tova Leah, Tova Sarah, Tova Grace, Tova Rose, and Tova Anne.

What are good sibling names for Tova?

Names that pair well with Tova as siblings include Shira, Noa, Ora, Ilan, Yael, Lev, and Tzvi.

How many syllables does Tova have?

Tova has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Tova a common or rare name?

Tova is an uncommon name, ranked #2661 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Tova

Tova is a girl name with Jewish, Scandinavian, and Israeli origins . The name means "good, goodness" in Hebrew .

Tova is currently ranked #2,661 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Tova has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.