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Nova

Girl / Boy name · 476 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nova: 476 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 72 births in 2024.

Nova comes directly from Latin, meaning "new" — a simple, hopeful word that also describes a star that suddenly brightens. Famous bearers include Nova Peris, the first Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic gold medal, and the Marvel superhero Nova, a cosmic guardian whose name echoes the celestial theme. The name shares its root with Nova Scotia, Latin for "New Scotland," a Canadian province linked to Scottish history. In recent years, Nova has surged in popularity across the UK and Scotland, often chosen for its modern, interstellar feel. Variants like Novah or Novalee offer a gentle twist, while the name's cross-cultural appeal — also found in Portuguese and Spanish as a poetic term for a star — makes it a bright, open-ended choice for any child.