Nova
Nova is a given name derived from Latin novus, new. The same spelling also evokes the astronomical word nova. The name’s Latin root and the astronomical association should not be collapsed into a claim that the Latin name literally means a star becoming brighter.
- Meaning
- New
- Name or word origin
- Latin-derived
- Pronunciation
- English: /ˈnoʊ.və/
Sources and meaning notes
This source is used for the given name and its Latin root. No astronomy mechanism is asserted as a personal-name etymology.
- Behind the Name: Nova Name history, usage and the pronunciation specified in this entry
References checked .
Catalog grouping: Female. This is a browsing label and does not restrict which cats can use the name.
Popularity in cited datasets
Each position below belongs to its publisher’s sample and time period. These are not iCatNames registration counts or a combined ranking.
| Dataset scope | Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. cat names — top 100 | #34 | Rover catalog (checked 2026-10-26; undated) |
An undated catalog checked in 2026 is not a 2025 annual result. Historical reports keep their published period. Source records on this page were checked on 2026-10-26.
Compare the checked ranking snapshotsNames in similar collections to Nova
These entries have source references and overlap with this name in the site’s editorial collections. The overlap does not measure pet-owner preferences or prove a shared linguistic origin.