Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
Other
Nova means "new" in Catalan.
2
2
For the Dutch pronunciation of Nova, you can listen to the audio clips featured on the websites below:
• https://nl.forvo.com/search/Nova/nl/ (in Dutch)
• https://youtu.be/dMJIV2Jj12o (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:07)
• https://youtu.be/OXrU-qzGxcA (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:06 and 1:03 and 1:27)
Converted to IPA, it should be: /'no:.va:/ [noted -ed]
2
• https://nl.forvo.com/search/Nova/nl/ (in Dutch)
• https://youtu.be/dMJIV2Jj12o (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:07)
• https://youtu.be/OXrU-qzGxcA (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:06 and 1:03 and 1:27)
Converted to IPA, it should be: /'no:.va:/ [noted -ed]
2
Means "new" in Ukrainian.
2
2
November "Nova" Terra is a character from Starcraft.
2
2
Beautiful name.
4
4
An ok name, not my taste but still nice.
6
6
This name is quite nice, however it is making me think it is the new Aurora. Which was suddenly very popular some years back.
4
4
Pronounced /'noː.va/ (NO-va) in Swedish. [noted -ed]
3
3
1) As some people have already pointed out, Nova is unisex, actually
2) While I do love this name and think the meaning and sound are both very nice, I personally feel it’s too trendy for me.
4
2) While I do love this name and think the meaning and sound are both very nice, I personally feel it’s too trendy for me.
4
My name is Nova and I have never met another person with my name. However I hear it’s becoming popular, so I just want to warn any future parents that your child may come home from school one day and tell you that some cleverchops called them Nova Gina. Say that out loud a few times.
4
4
I really don’t understand how someone in my family named their daughter this. In Spanish (we’re a Spanish family) it’s saying “You’re going nowhere” or “It doesn’t go” “No va.” If you’re not Hispanic then I wouldn’t say anything about it but I just don’t understand how her mother and aunts didn’t tell her.
1
1
The V is harsh sounding in my opinion.
0
0
I just don’t understand Nova. It’s too modern for me. I don’t like names that have an association with space.
0
0
I think it sounds very futuristic (also helped by the fact it means "new").
4
4
Also Swedish: https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/Nova
2
2
I feel bad for the 315 boys named Nova as of 2020.
7
7
I think Nova is a nice name for either gender ;)
I love the meaning “new” as that could represent new life, and a new start, which is beautiful.
0
I love the meaning “new” as that could represent new life, and a new start, which is beautiful.
0
Nova Peris is an Aboriginal Australian athlete and former politician. As part of the Australian women's field hockey (Hockeyroos) team at the 1996 Olympic Games, she was the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal. She later switched sports to sprinting and went to the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 2000 Olympic Games. She was elected to the Australian Senate at the 2013 federal election, after then Prime Minister Julia Gillard named her as a "captain's pick", installing her as the preselected Labor candidate over incumbent Labor senator Trish Crossin. She retired from the Senate in 2016.
1
1
It is unisex and can be both feminine and masculine. I prefer it on a boy tho.
0
0
Also used in Dutch: https://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nvb/naam/is/Nova [noted -ed]
4
4
This name seemed to have a meteoric rise out of nowhere, very quickly. That makes me think it is a quickly passing trend and will quickly plummet just as fast as it rose. Its popularity came too fast.
6
6
Hi my name is Nova Alleya.
Nova is star that suddenly burst huge energy, and Alleya meaning is the highest. People love my name, they love the meaning. Personally, I hated my name when I was a kid, but now I consider it unique, and a strong name.
In my country, people named their baby Nova for a boy or a girl, but I think it's a girl name.
1
Nova is star that suddenly burst huge energy, and Alleya meaning is the highest. People love my name, they love the meaning. Personally, I hated my name when I was a kid, but now I consider it unique, and a strong name.
In my country, people named their baby Nova for a boy or a girl, but I think it's a girl name.
1
Such a beautiful, gorgeous name!
1
1
Nova is so pretty!
2
2
Nova is the superhero on Spiderman. However he's a BOY! But I for sure like this better on a girl than boy. Quite pretty actually!
2
2
Interesting. Quite an unusual name. I would not say I like it, but it's for sure not a bad name. Has some quality. Not too good, but still alright. Maybe will gain some popularity more. Right now it is still pretty much a rare name.
1
1
I'm sorry I have to say this, but this name feels like a stripper name. There I said it. It just looks like a dog's name. Too over the top and pretentious for me.
-10
-10
Means "no go" in Spanish.
6
6
Worst name ever!
-9
-9
Can not stand this name!
-8
-8
D.C. Young Fly has a daughter named Nova.
1
1
Please don’t do this to a poor child. I would absolutely hate being stuck with this name!
-18
-18
I have a friend named Nova! I have always loved her name, and I'm considering using it on a daughter.
6
6
It sounds pretty, but it's way too trendy right now. It's gonna be the Madison of the 2010s.
5
5
I love it! So simple and strong.
6
6
A notable MASCULINE name bearer is an American entrepreneur: Nova Spivack. He was born on June 5th 1969.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Spivack
2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Spivack
2
@LionB3 is correct, Nova is indeed also used as a masculine given name in English. A known real-life male bearer of this name is Nova Spivack, an American entrepreneur (born June 5th 1969). A known fictional male bearer of this name is Nova Blade, a character in the "Lunime" franchise by developer Luni (a.k.a. Lucas Lee). Many users in the comments below have named both their daughters and sons Nova. However, Nova is more common for Females. So, I think that the "Gender" of this name should be changed from "Feminine" to "Feminine & Masculine".
Sources: https://lunime.fandom.com/wiki/Nova_Blade
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Spivack
https://www.behindthename.com/name/nova/top/united-states
https://www.names.org/n/nova/about
http://www.nancy.cc/baby-name/Nova/
https://forebears.io/forenames/nova
https://babynames.com/name/Nova
https://www.babynames.ch/Info/SearchResult?searchStr=Nova
2
Sources: https://lunime.fandom.com/wiki/Nova_Blade
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Spivack
https://www.behindthename.com/name/nova/top/united-states
https://www.names.org/n/nova/about
http://www.nancy.cc/baby-name/Nova/
https://forebears.io/forenames/nova
https://babynames.com/name/Nova
https://www.babynames.ch/Info/SearchResult?searchStr=Nova
2
This name can also be MASCULINE, making it UNISEX.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/nova/top/united-states
https://www.names.org/n/Nova/about
http://www.nancy.cc/baby-name/Nova/
5
https://www.behindthename.com/name/nova/top/united-states
https://www.names.org/n/Nova/about
http://www.nancy.cc/baby-name/Nova/
5
I honestly feel like this name will be the next Brittany or Ashley. It's pretty, yet seems too popular and trendy.
5
5
NOVA is a common nickname for Northern Virginia (collection of suburbs including Arlington, Alexandria, and parts of Fairfax County outside Washington D.C.)
1
1
I love this name, at first I hated it because for so long my only association was teen mom but then a friend of mine mentioned it to me. Nova is a fun alternative version of Norma and Nora while still being unique. It's a name I can imagine a woman growing up to fit within her life just like a star. I do however only want one child and prefer Victoria personally but if I had a second I would consider this, Nova California would be her name. I feel this name needs a unique middle name to match how special the first name is.
1
1
Sounds like the Spanish word meaning girlfriend, Novia. I prefer it for a girl because of the gender in Latin.
0
0
Nova Artino is the protagonist of Renegades by Marissa Meyer. I've always loved this name - I'm considering it for the name of a character in my book.
3
3
I have never seen this used as a male name in Northern Europe.
3
3
I’ve loved this name for as long as I can remember, and I can’t think of naming my future daughter anything else. Always imagined Nova Avery.
1
1
Just found this site after searching the meaning of my name, I’m 46 and live in the UK and I love having an unusual name. I run my own business and having a unique name has really helped me in my career, no one forgets a Nova :)
By the way, moose is not my surname lol x.
3
By the way, moose is not my surname lol x.
3
In astronomy, Nova is a star that suddenly releases a huge burst of energy, temporarily becoming extraordinarily bright, and then slowly returning to its original state over a few months.
6
6
When I think Nova I think CasaNova. I like it for a boy for that reason. It sounds harsh to me for a girl. I know two Novas on Teen Mom though. Seems like it's getting popular with the millennials having children.
0
0
In 2018, 2 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Nova who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 3, 351st most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
3
3
My name is Nova and I do like it very much. I find strangers often comment with a variety references.
1. "Did your parents name you after the PBS series?"
2. "Was your mom a hippie?"
3. "Nova... you mean like a supernova?!"
4. "You realize you are named after a car?"
The latter comes from those of an older generation, but it amuses me the most! I have only had one negative comment and it was from a woman begging me to change my name to something that does not reference death. Honestly, I was named after the astronomical event. ;)
I find my name to be elegantly simple and unique. I've met only one other named Nova in my 40+ years.
8
1. "Did your parents name you after the PBS series?"
2. "Was your mom a hippie?"
3. "Nova... you mean like a supernova?!"
4. "You realize you are named after a car?"
The latter comes from those of an older generation, but it amuses me the most! I have only had one negative comment and it was from a woman begging me to change my name to something that does not reference death. Honestly, I was named after the astronomical event. ;)
I find my name to be elegantly simple and unique. I've met only one other named Nova in my 40+ years.
8
I think the name Nova is beautiful. My girlfriend and I, if we had kids we would definitely name one of our kids Nova.
5
5
Nova was my favorite character in War for the Planet of the Apes.
2
2
Nova is my family’s surname actually. There is also a Professional baseball pitcher currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates Ivan Nova, there was also a former Supreme Court Justice with that last name in the 40s. I never knew until recently people actually had it as a first name. Seems like an odd first name to me but like I said, it’s our last name.
2
2
Nova is the yellow monkey in Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
3
3
My fiancé and I just named our 10 month old daughter Novva Rose (pronounced like Nova). We added the extra v because there are two meanings to her name. We have never gotten any bad feedback and everyone's loved it. She fits it really well.
1
1
Being named Nova, I did not like my name growing up. Absolutely hated it in fact. Strangers were always oohing and aahing over it, saying how unusual it was and how pretty and asking about its origin... I never met another person with this name in person. With the advent of the internet and Myspace and Facebook, I was able to find that my name was not as unique as I thought it was. I remember someone at my old doctor's office when I was younger and then years later at my pharmacy saying that they had another Nova but it was a guy. My childhood best friend's father always teased me about it. I've grown to like it now that I've grown older. I appreciate having a somewhat unique name. My father was the one who named me. He named me after the character from the "Planet of the Apes" movie. I do remember reading years ago in a baby name book that it was of Hopi origin and meant "butterfly chaser". It's what made me start reconsidering not liking it. It's unfortunate that the book appears to have gotten it wrong.
2
2
I named my son Nova and I've never heard anyone with this name. I love the name.
3
3
Born in 1975 my name is also Nova, named for the new star a celestial choice, however a second meaning was created when I was given my grandmothers name as my middle name "Jeanne" this makes me the "New" Jeanne. I have always loved the hidden meaning.
I have had the pleasure of briefly meeting a few other Nova's over the years and also a dog named Nova once. I find it to be a strong name that stands out like when applying for jobs I almost always get an interview, I believe this is because it is so hard for them to pass up the chance to meet a Nova at least once in their life!
2
I have had the pleasure of briefly meeting a few other Nova's over the years and also a dog named Nova once. I find it to be a strong name that stands out like when applying for jobs I almost always get an interview, I believe this is because it is so hard for them to pass up the chance to meet a Nova at least once in their life!
2
I was named Nova after Nova Pilbeam, as my father admired her. This gives me something to say when people inevitably ask me where my name came from - not because they know who the actress was (because invariably they don't know this) but because I can explain who she was and this takes the focus off me. I have never been teased about my name although a boyfriend I had earlier in my life told me, when I first met him, that the next door neighbour at his parents' house was called Nova which I thought was him teasing me but it turned out to be true. I am 70 this year so I could be the best-friend of the previous correspondent's mother but this is probably not the case as I think there are more Novas around than most of us realize. I do like the idea of the name continuing in my family as I think it is nice to have a name that can be linked to your family even if, like mine, it is just linked to a film star that my Dad liked.
2
2
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Nova from Planet of the Apes. That is the first time I ever heard it used as a name, and despite the character in the movie having an almost unlikable air to her, I fell in love with the sounds and the way the mouth moves when it is said. Also: greatest movie of all time, but that's probably irrelevant.
4
4
I've been blessed with this name as well. Many do try to joke around with it, but never anything offensive. I was born in November which was how it came into being for me. Nicknames have been: NovaScotia, Novie, 4-barrel, CHevyNova, Nov, Novaleski (
2
2
My name is Nova and I absolutely love it, and I have not met many with the same name, and I only meet them on the internet. I don't know why some people associate Nova with trashy rich people or whatever -- I find it very cute and fun!
2
2
My name is Nova. I am 50 years old. I was named after my mother's best friend when she was growing up. I thought for the longest time that we were the only two with this unique name until I came across this sight. I love my name even though I was teased about it. Everyone faces that regardless of their name I think. I wish I could have met the person I was named after.
1
1
I called my son Nova- the astronomical meaning is beautiful! Young sun/star! We wanted something simple but unusual. Yes, we found the name in the girls list. We were searching for astronomy names for a boy as we already had one for a girl! I prefer'Nova' for a boy's name and he suits it very well.. Everyone loves his name, and I've never come across a Nova before, not even a girl Nova.
2
2
It's great.
4
4
I love the name "Nova" of course, it is my name. I was named after my aunt Willanova, and my granddaughter is named Novaleigh Rose. I think it is a beautiful name and am proud to have been named after my aunt.
1
1
Nova means "chases butterflies" it originates from the Native American tribe.
-3
-3
Sounds like Novocaine.
-5
-5
Unusual and cute. :)
2
2
A supernova is an astronomical term for a star that explodes.
6
6
My name is Nova and I've always liked it. People ALWAYS comment on my name, saying how unusual it is, or how pretty, or asking where it comes from. Someone once jokingly assumed my parents were hippies and had been a bit 'heavy on the acid' when they named me. Lol... couldn't be further from the truth! I am the third person in my family to be called Nova: my great great-aunt and my mother's cousin also bearing the name. It was used in reference to Nova Scotia by these ancestors when naming their child.
I didn't get teased that much as a child, although kids would often sing the advertising jingle for the car Holden Nova (Australia) and sometimes change the words to affect meaning. There are lots of 'things' that bear the name Nova these days.
Nicknames-wise I still get called Noves, Nove or Novie, by family members and some even went so far as to call me Nova Scotia, Miss Scotia, Novie Scoche or any other variant from time to time.
4
I didn't get teased that much as a child, although kids would often sing the advertising jingle for the car Holden Nova (Australia) and sometimes change the words to affect meaning. There are lots of 'things' that bear the name Nova these days.
Nicknames-wise I still get called Noves, Nove or Novie, by family members and some even went so far as to call me Nova Scotia, Miss Scotia, Novie Scoche or any other variant from time to time.
4
My name is Nova and I love my name but I do have one problem with it.
Some people tend to mess it up which isn't that bad
But no one really likes to be called by the wrong name.
The most common names I get is Noah and Nora.
I understand they are similar but in the end they are different. But I do love my name none the less.
1
Some people tend to mess it up which isn't that bad
But no one really likes to be called by the wrong name.
The most common names I get is Noah and Nora.
I understand they are similar but in the end they are different. But I do love my name none the less.
1
NOVA sounds like something from outer space. Or a place in Canada. Nova Scotia.
5
5
I'm a girl named Nova and I love my name :) I've never been teased because of it, and people mostly complement me for it! Having a more unique name is awesome, and I hope to meet another female Nova at some point in my life :)
2
2
I like it. Maybe as a middle name.
1
1
This is truly a beautiful name, but I would never name my daughter this because of the TV show (which I am a big fan of, but I don't want people making references to that all the time). Perhaps it is good for a middle name?
1
1
Nova-- what a perfect name. It's so pretty and unique.
3
3
I know a little girl named Nova and whenever I meet her I can't help wondering if her middle name is Scotia or Zembla. It just doesn't seem like a real name to me.
1
1
I love this name. It sounds so gorgeous and pretty, and it's uncommon where I live (I've never met any Novas). The astronomical connection is beautiful, and I like the way it means "new" in Latin (but not so much that it means "new" in so many spoken languages.) But, ignoring that, I think Nova is a lovely name.
1
1
Nova Pilbeam is a British actress most well known for her starring roles in the Alfred Hitchcock films "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934 version) and "Young and Innocent." I love the name Nova, I think it's very beautiful.
1
1
Why has no one mentioned Nova Scotia?
It makes me think of the book Nova by Samuel R. Delany, which is sitting in front of me while I type this. One must remember that while a nova is beautiful and brilliant, it becomes a black hole afterwords. Eventually, thought, it becomes a new star, making the Latin meaning appropriate.
I think it's got a lovely sound, but I prefer Neva.
2
It makes me think of the book Nova by Samuel R. Delany, which is sitting in front of me while I type this. One must remember that while a nova is beautiful and brilliant, it becomes a black hole afterwords. Eventually, thought, it becomes a new star, making the Latin meaning appropriate.
I think it's got a lovely sound, but I prefer Neva.
2
The 'new' meaning is great, I would pair it up with bella or stella. Ex: Bellanova or Stellanova, 'new beauty' or 'new star'? Please correct me if I'm not using it correctly.
-4
-4
Nova's quite cute, but unfortunately, it's coming into common use by trashy sorts. I'll pass.
1
1
Nova may also be used as a boy's name. In some Northern parts of Europe it is actually very masculine.
1
1
I really don't think it's anything to do with any Spanish place. And it's not Portuguese it's Hebrew.
1
1
I love this name! It's not very popular and would make a nice alternative to the "name" Nevaeh. However, be careful when using this name. There can be jokes when kids find out what a Nova is. They might be asking her if she's going to explode.
1
1
I was going through a lot of names before my baby was born and my sister put a real downer on most of them. I said Nova ~ she said Vauxhall Nova ( Car ) ~ another crossed off my list.
1
1
I love the astronomical meaning of the name, and it's a cool and pretty name, but I don't like the fact that it means 'new' in certain languages, and it's become nauseatingly popular in Sweden, it appears. The beauty of this name pretty much disappears if it becomes very common and trivial.
1
1
I've never met a girl named Nova but there are several guys at my school named Nova. I honestly prefer it on a girl though.
3
3
I'm unsure about the pronunciation. NO-va with "No" like the word or NAH-va with a short "o" (do you know what I mean?). I think I've also heard the second variant somewhere but I'm not sure.
0
0
My name is Nova and I love it! There aren't any other Nova's my age that I know of and the meaning is so cute! I like being unique!
3
3
I would consider using this name because of the astronomical connection.
3
3
Nova doesn't mean "butterfly chaser" in Hopi; it means "food". See the following website: http://www.native-languages.org/wrongnames.htm. [noted -ed]
6
6
Nova is a pretty name. And I love Chevy Novas! I think Novalee is pretty. Just like in the book and movie, Home is Where the Heart Is. And I like the name Americus too. But, Nova is pretty. And I think that naming your kid something different is nice and I totally respect that and hope more people do so.
2
2
Just the fact that it may mean 'butterfly chaser' puts it in the top ten of my list! So cool! Although I think it sounds a bit weird by itself.
0
0
Novalee Nation is the lost pregnant girl in "Where the Heart is"; a fantastisc novel by the American author Billie Letts. Novalee gets a daughter called Americus.
3
3
I just named my daughter Nova, on October 21, 2006. I love the name. And I don't see people picking on her, If they need to pick on someone, pick on all the celebrities naming their children Cocoa and Apple! So far everyone has loved the name. :)
1
1
My name is Nova-Jera Isolde, as a child I hated explaining why I was named "New-Year" and when I was born (12:00 on the dot the 1st of January) and how to spell it. Now I just go by Isa. For all parents considering naming their child something so different be warned that people will mangle the spelling, pronunciation and will tease your child unless they are very confident and outgoing.
3
3
In Spanish, the phrase 'no va' means 'no go'. This is why the car 'Nova' never sold in Spanish speaking countrys.
3
3
The Chevy Nova did not suffer poor sales in Hispanic countries; that's just a story to illustrate the potential pitfalls of careless translation when trying to market things abroad. Follow this link for a more detailed explanation: http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp.
1
1
Here's a different angle on this name, I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet: the (abbreviated) dictionary definition of "nova" is "a star that suddenly increases dramatically in brightness." A pleasing meaning, no? You've got power, brilliance, mystery, a celestial aspect, plus, since the name also carries the meaning of "new", the overall image is one of awe-inspiring cosmic birth.
4
4
Nova is also a name of Czech TV.
2
2
Chevrolet made a car called the Nova.
1
1
Nova means new in Portuguese.
1
1
Nova is a name of the biggest language school in Japan.
1
1
Nova Citreon is a character in a Jackie Collins book.
2
2
Nova is of Hopi origin.
-1
-1
Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.