Nova Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Nova is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Nova?
Nova is spelled N-O-V-A. The name has 4 letters.
Nova at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- The term “nova” means “new” in Latin.
- Origin
- The name “Nova” is derived from the Latin word meaning “new.”
- Pronunciation
- NO-vuh · 2 syllables
Nova Popularity in 2025
Rank#46
Recorded Births4,657
Rank#1,305
Recorded Births149
- Girls usage fell 7 places to #46 and recorded 415 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 129 places to #1,305 and recorded 27 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Nova Mean?
The term “nova” means “new” in Latin.
Origin: The name “Nova” is derived from the Latin word meaning “new.”
How Do You Pronounce Nova?
PronunciationNO-vuh
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Nova?
- History
- The use of “Nova” as a given name is influenced by its meaning and astronomical association.
Nova Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 4,657 | #46 |
| 2025 | Boys | 149 | #1,305 |
| 2024 | Girls | 5,072 | #39 |
| 2024 | Boys | 176 | #1,176 |
| 2023 | Girls | 5,282 | #35 |
| 2023 | Boys | 237 | #952 |
| 2022 | Girls | 5,927 | #32 |
| 2022 | Boys | 271 | #878 |
| 2021 | Girls | 5,574 | #32 |
| 2021 | Boys | 277 | #851 |
| 2020 | Girls | 5,006 | #38 |
| 2020 | Boys | 317 | #758 |
| 2019 | Girls | 4,332 | #51 |
| 2019 | Boys | 259 | #857 |
| 2018 | Girls | 4,174 | #55 |
| 2018 | Boys | 254 | #862 |
| 2017 | Girls | 3,057 | #94 |
| 2017 | Boys | 230 | #920 |
| 2016 | Girls | 2,286 | #136 |
| 2016 | Boys | 152 | #1,229 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,529 | #213 |
| 2015 | Boys | 129 | #1,353 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,136 | #287 |
| 2014 | Boys | 104 | #1,536 |
When Was Nova Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2022 · Girls
5,927 recorded births
National rank #32
2021 · Girls
5,574 recorded births
National rank #32
2023 · Girls
5,282 recorded births
National rank #35
2024 · Girls
5,072 recorded births
National rank #39
Where Nova Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MS | #9 | 65 |
| LA | #12 | 104 |
| DE | #14 | 21 |
| GA | #17 | 212 |
| AR | #17 | 62 |
| AL | #19 | 107 |
| OK | #19 | 86 |
| HI | #19 | 18 |