| Nova | Clara | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | new | Bright, clear |
| Origin | latin | Latin |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | NOH-vah | KLAIR-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1885 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2022 (5,927) | 1918 (5,778) |
| In 2025 | 4,657 | 3,601 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Nova | Clara |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 31,518 | 17,277 |
| 2010s | 18,057 | 26,657 |
| 2000s | 1,221 | 12,789 |
| 1990s | 289 | 6,266 |
| 1980s | 360 | 3,668 |
| 1970s | 589 | 3,290 |
| 1960s | 402 | 6,505 |
| 1950s | 283 | 12,768 |
| 1940s | 369 | 20,028 |
| 1930s | 657 | 31,658 |
| 1920s | 891 | 48,183 |
| 1910s | 629 | 44,346 |
| 1900s | 279 | 23,899 |
| 1890s | 187 | 25,473 |
| 1880s | 52 | 17,717 |
From Latin 'nova', the feminine of 'novus' meaning 'new'. In astronomy a nova is a star that suddenly brightens, which reinforces its celestial, star-related feel.
From the Latin clarus, “bright” or “clear.” Saint Clare of Assisi carried the name.
Nova is more popular than Clara today: about 4,657 US babies were given the name Nova in 2025, compared with 3,601 named Clara.
Nova means new (latin origin), while Clara means Bright, clear (Latin origin).
In US records, Nova first appears in 1885 and Clara in 1880, so Clara has the longer recorded history.