The story behind Nova
From Latin nova (“new”).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): N OW1 V AH0
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Nova ranked #46 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Nova
Nóra
Apheretic form of Onóra, from Latin Honora.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Norma
From norma (“rule, norm”), itself from Latin nōrma, of the same meaning. Borrowed from Spanish Norma.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alma
Usually explained as Latin alma (“nourishing, kind”). It has also been used as a short form of Germanic compound names beginning with the element Amal-, as in Amelia. From…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anna
From Late Latin Anna both directly and via numerous other languages, chiefly in reference to St Anne the apocryphal mother of Mary mother of Jesus but appearing in the Vulgate…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Eva
The (Vulgate) Latin Eva, from Ancient Greek Εὔα (Eúa), from Biblical Hebrew חַוָּה (ḥawwā). A Latinate variant of the English Eve. From Middle Dutch eva, from Latin Eva, from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ina
Short form of given names ending in -ina, e.g. Georgina, Christina, Wilhelmina.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Nova
Jan
From Old French Jehan (“John”). Doublet of John. Czech Jan Inherited from Old Czech Jan, borrowed from Latin Iōannēs. From Middle Dutch jan, from Latin Iōhannēs, from Ancient…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Job
From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”). Ultimately from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends B
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Jon
A male given name from Hebrew, variant of John. Coined by Sabino Arana from Latin Iohannes.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Nova
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection