Girl · Latin · International
Nova
NovaSay it NOH-vuh
- Meaning today
- New, new star
- Original meaning
- "new; feminine of Latin novus; in astronomy, a "new" star" Online Etymology Dictionary
- Say it
- NOH-vuh
Nova
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Nova meaning
Nova is an international girl's name of Latin origin.
New; feminine of Latin novus; in astronomy, a "new" star
Also used to mean: new star
Nova is the feminine form of Latin novus, "new". The Online Etymology Dictionary explains that astronomers used nova stella, "new star", for a star that suddenly appears or flares in brightness and then slowly fades; Tycho Brahe's famous report of 1572 was titled De nova stella, and nova has been an English word for such a star since 1877. As a girl's name it carries both senses, newness and a bright star. The same Latin root gives English novel and novice. It is said NOH-vuh, and its meaning is close to Indian names such as Navya and Nutan.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry nova · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, nova · Lewis & Short, novus (Logeion)
Popularity abroad
- #46 United States, girls 2025 (down 7 from 39 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #68 England and Wales, girls 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.