Nova sits comfortably in the UK charts at #80 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Latin — New; a star that suddenly increases in brightness
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UK Rank 2024
#80
US Rank #39
About the Name Nova
Nova is currently at its most popular point on record, sitting at UK #80. The name has climbed 64 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a regular feature in UK records since 2000. It has broken into the UK top 100 on 3 occasions, signalling genuine mainstream interest.
The name carries Latin roots, where it means "New; a star that suddenly increases in brightness". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Nova is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #39, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Nova
Unlikely. With around 603 UK babies named Nova per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Nova in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Nova is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 64 places over the last five years to #80 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
The name Nova has Latin origins and means "New; a star that suddenly increases in brightness". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Nova ranks #39 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
603
UK babies named Nova (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.3
In a school of 600
↑ 64 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Nova
Likely around 1 other Nova in the class
UK Popularity (2000–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Nova
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
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Ars nova (Latin for 'new art') refers to a musical style which flourished in the Kingdom of France and its surroundings during the Late Middle Ages. More particularly, it refers to the period between the preparation of the Roman de Fauvel and the death of composer Guillaume de Machaut in 1377.
The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a small automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, and produced in five generations for the 1962 through 1979, and 1985 through 1988 model years. Built on the X-body platform, the Nova was the top selling model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968.