Gender-Neutral Name · Latin Origin
Nova
Nova is a gender-neutral name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Nova — a neutral name from the Latin tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. If Neva is on your shortlist, Nova belongs in the same conversation.
Nova meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Nova has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Latin naming roots help connect Nova to related Latin baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Nova as N·O·V·A, with 4 letters and a gender-neutral usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Nova is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Nova variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Novaa, Novae, Novay, Nov.
- Nicknames: Nova works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Nova with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Nova middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Neva, Novah, Navy, Nevaeh, Nona — full picks on the sibling names for Nova guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Nova? Browse our names like Nova guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Nova
What does the name Nova mean?
Nova has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a neutral name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Nova?
Nova originates in Latin naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Nova?
Nova has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Nova a boy's or girl's name?
Nova is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Nova in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Nova sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Nova?
Names that share Nova's sound and style include Neva, Novah, Navy, Nevaeh, Nona.
What middle names pair well with Nova?
Good middle-name fits for Nova pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Nova is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Nova is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Nova?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Nova share its rhythm without rhyming — Neva, Novah, Navy all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.