Nova
GirlLatin · /ˈnoʊvə/ (English)
Nova has the Latin meaning “new” and a vivid connection with the night sky. Its star association adds imagery to the name rather than a different literal meaning.
Origin
Latin
Pronunciation
/ˈnoʊvə/ (English)
New; the new one
Nova is a name of Latin origin meaning “new” or “the new one”. It comes from nova, the feminine form of novus. That meaning can make it an appealing way to mark a beginning or a new chapter. The star connection is real too: the astronomical word nova comes from nova stella, “new star”. In astronomy, a nova is a sudden brightening caused by a stellar outburst, rather than the birth of a star. The word nova alone therefore does not literally mean “star”. Nova has a fresh, contemporary feel, with a little drama supplied by that night-sky imagery. In English it is pronounced /ˈnoʊvə/, with emphasis on the first syllable and a soft final vowel. The /v/ gives the flowing sound a distinct point of definition.
Etymology: From Latin nova, the feminine form of novus, meaning “new”. The astronomical word comes from nova stella, “new star”.
Spelling table
Code
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Braille
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Name popularity
Latest year: 2025
Girls
Rank46
Boys
Rank1,308
Source
SSA records cover Social Security card applications, not every US birth. Names with fewer than 5 occurrences are omitted; gaps do not mean zero. Spellings are kept separate, except that SSA removes spaces and hyphens. Equal counts are ranked alphabetically. Ranks are calculated separately for boys and girls.
Origin
Latin