Fun Facts About the Name Nava
- More than 1 thousand babies named Nava: U.S. records list 1,511 babies given the name Nava from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Nava Mean?
Nava is a feminine given name with two independent origins. In Hebrew, Nava (נָאוָה) is a feminine adjective meaning "beautiful," "comely," or "pleasant." It comes from the root נָאָה (na'ah), "to be beautiful" or "to be fitting." The word appears in the Hebrew Bible as a description, not as a personal name: Song of Songs 1:5, "I am black but comely" (shechorah ani ve-nava), and Psalms 147:1, "praise is comely" (nava tehilah). In Persian, Nava (نوا) means "voice," "sound," "melody," or "song." It is also the name of a dastgah, one of the principal modes of Persian classical music. The Hebrew and Persian names are spelled the same in English but are unrelated in origin.
Nava Name History & Origins
The Hebrew name Nava derives from the biblical word nava (נָאוָה), "comely" or "beautiful." In the Hebrew Bible the word is used in poetry, as in Song of Songs 1:5 and Psalms 147:1. It was not a personal name in the Bible; it belongs instead to the tradition of Hebrew names taken from biblical vocabulary. In Israel and in Jewish communities, Nava is used as a feminine given name. The related masculine adjective na'eh (נָאֶה) shares the same root, נָאָה, meaning "to be beautiful" or "fitting."
In Persian, Nava (نوا) means "voice," "sound," "melody," or "song." The word has a long presence in Persian poetry and music, and it names Nava, one of the principal dastgahs of Persian classical music. As a feminine given name, it is used in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and by Persian-speaking communities elsewhere. It is unrelated to the Hebrew name, despite the identical English spelling.
How Popular is the Name Nava?
Nava has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #2,231 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #2,231 | 83 | 0.0052% |
| 2024 | #2,677 | 65 | 0.0040% |
| 2023 | #2,347 | 78 | 0.0049% |
| 2022 | #2,625 | 67 | 0.0041% |
| 2021 | #2,697 | 64 | 0.0039% |
| 2020 | #2,519 | 69 | 0.0043% |
| 2019 | #2,347 | 77 | 0.0046% |
| 2018 | #2,375 | 77 | 0.0045% |
| 2017 | #2,893 | 58 | 0.0034% |
| 2016 | #2,689 | 65 | 0.0037% |
| 2015 | #2,578 | 70 | 0.0039% |
| 2014 | #3,129 | 53 | 0.0030% |
| 2013 | #3,067 | 54 | 0.0031% |
| 2012 | #2,996 | 57 | 0.0032% |
| 2011 | #3,586 | 44 | 0.0025% |
| 2010 | #3,147 | 53 | 0.0030% |
| 2009 | #3,785 | 42 | 0.0023% |
| 2008 | #4,249 | 37 | 0.0020% |
| 2007 | #4,444 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 2006 | #4,435 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2005 | #4,554 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 2004 | #7,011 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #5,199 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2002 | #5,838 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2001 | #6,238 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2000 | #6,716 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1999 | #8,631 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1998 | #5,743 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1997 | #10,506 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #8,638 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1995 | #8,535 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #6,556 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1993 | #15,044 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #10,167 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #7,698 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1989 | #7,858 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1988 | #11,317 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #7,803 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #9,247 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #10,225 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #6,161 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1983 | #11,422 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #7,283 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1980 | #11,579 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1977 | #6,692 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1976 | #10,349 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #7,048 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1967 | #6,556 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1929 | #5,086 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1928 | #5,226 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1923 | #4,809 | 6 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Nava Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a vivid imagination who can bring inspired messages to the world. You like to enjoy the pleasures of life, and when self is overcome, you can rise to the heights. You have an ability to avoid trouble - that is why you often fails to learn from experiences. You are restless, sociable people-oriented, a lover of change, and a seeker of adventure and new thrills. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Nava's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Nava's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.