Girl · 72nd of 30,306
Nova
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
54,140
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2022
Peak Popularity Year
6,191
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nova stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name 'Nova' has a Latin origin meaning 'new'. It has evolved from Latin to Old French and then to Modern English. The name embodies traits of brightness and new beginnings. There is no biblical relevance associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈnoʊvə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name 'Nova' originates from the Latin word meaning 'new'. It is often associated with the astronomical term for a star that suddenly becomes very bright and then gradually returns to its original brightness.
Meaning
new
Language Evolution
Latin: Nova, Old French: Novele, Modern English: Nova
Historical Usage
The name Nova has gained popularity in modern times, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, often associated with the idea of new beginnings and innovations.
Variants & Derivatives
Novah, Novia, Novi
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Nova is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with brightness and newness. It is popular among parents looking for unique names for their daughters.
Famous People
Nova Scotia (as a historical reference), Nova Peris (Australian athlete and politician), Nova Rockafeller (Canadian rapper)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,191 peak births in 2022
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3387th of 7545 | 95 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4298th of 6773 | 44 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6024th of 7552 | 16 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6919th of 10718 | 28 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11250th of 16616 | 23 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3823rd of 24088 | 382 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1022nd of 23106 | 2,484 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 772nd of 9107 | 1,582 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 960th of 9204 | 1,061 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1802nd of 12526 | 665 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1789th of 19264 | 828 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3609th of 27321 | 436 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1435th of 35406 | 2,342 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 72nd of 30306 | 43,881 |