Alternatives to Nova

The name of a heavenly planet and the Roman goddess of beauty and love was an intimidating no-no until tennis champ Venus Williams put an athletic, modern spin on it.

Noelle may be literally 15 times as popular, but Noella was given to more than 100 baby girls in the US last year, a not insignificant number. The growing popularity of Nola may increase the attraction to the rare variation on a classic Christmas name.

This name of an admired Puerto Rican pop singer has been picked up by hundreds of Hispanic parents.

In the beginning there was Nevaeh, created as a name by spelling the word heaven backwards, and Nevaeh rose to fame in the 2000's, becoming a mainstream choice by 2004.

Noreen's in limbo, especially now that Nora has made a comeback.

Short, sweet, and sparky, Nava has been slowly climbing up the US popularity charts in recent years, owing perhaps to its similarity to Nova, Ava, Navy, and Nevaeh. Used quietly but consistently from the 80s onwards, Nava was given to nearly 80 girls in 2023.

The Halley version of this popular name family hit the Top 1000 only once, in 1986, inspired by Halley's Comet, named for astronomer Edmund Halley.

Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue.

Very rarely used, could provide a distinctive alternative to Lydia.

Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice.

Nieve is a delicate feminine name derived from the Spanish word for 'snow,' reflecting purity and pristine beauty. In Irish contexts, it's sometimes used as an anglicized spelling of Niamh (pronounced 'neev'), which means 'bright' or 'radiant' in Gaelic and was the name of a goddess in Irish mythology. The dual linguistic origins give Nieve rich cultural associations across different traditions. While not extremely common in English-speaking countries, it has seen increased interest among parents seeking short, distinctive names with natural connections. The name carries connotations of beauty, purity, and luminosity across its different cultural interpretations, making it an appealing choice for parents drawn to names with poetic natural imagery.

Could be the next Nova, now that celestial baby names are in the ascendent.

Ultimately from the Arabic ni'ma, this Swahili name celebrates the blessing of a baby. Also used as a masculine name, Neema is notably borne by film director Neema Barnette and activist Neema Namadamu.

Shot to fame as the middle name of Brangelina's daughter Shiloh Nouvel, after French architect Jean Nouvel.

The fastest-rising of the many Nova-adjacent names now fashionable for girls -- Nova, Novalee, Novaleigh -- which could all be seen as either classier alternatives to Neveah or feminine takes on ultra-popular Noah. This H-ending version has a slightly Hebrew air -- compare to Tovah. It's gotten a boost from rising R&B songstress Jade Novah.

Known more commonly in Medieval legend as the Lady of the Lake and recorded under numerous names, Nyneve is a key character in Arthurian legends.

Form of Eleanor found in the Pacific Islands, such as Fiji and Tonga. Other sources say it is used in Hawaii, but Elenoa has never been recorded as a name in the state.

Nieva is a feminine name with Spanish origins, derived from the Spanish word 'nieve,' meaning 'snow.' In Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain and the Philippines, it has traditional connections to Marian devotion through the Catholic title 'Nuestra Señora de las Nieves' (Our Lady of the Snows). The name evokes imagery of purity, delicacy, and natural beauty. While not among the most common Spanish names, Nieva has maintained steady usage over generations, particularly in regions with strong Catholic traditions. The name's elegant sound and meaningful winter associations make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet melodious Spanish-origin name with natural symbolism.

Nevia is a feminine name with Latin roots, possibly derived from 'nevis' meaning 'snow' or connected to the ancient Roman clan name Naevius. It may also be related to the Latin word 'novus' meaning 'new.' In Italian, 'neve' means snow, giving the name winter associations. Nevia has a delicate, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has seen some use in Italy and Latin communities. The name offers an elegant alternative to more popular names like Olivia or Sophia, with a similar romantic sound but greater distinctiveness. Parents might be drawn to Nevia for its classical roots, gentle sound, and relative rarity, providing uniqueness without being difficult to pronounce.