Nova

Meaning: new · Origin: Latin · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From Latin nova, 'new' — astronomers use it for a star that suddenly brightens. It entered the US top 100 for girls in the 2020s.

Nicknames

Novie

Variants & related names

Novah

Nova name art

A free preview of a printable “Nova” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Nova mean?

Nova means “new”. It comes from Latin.

Is Nova a popular name?

Yes — Nova has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Nova?

Novie.

What are other forms of Nova?

Novah.

Similar names

Lauren · Lucia · Mabel · Octavia · Sage · Valerie

More: names starting with N · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.