Girl Names That Start With N, Popular and Rare Picks
Currently popular N names for girls
- Nova (Latin-linked, meaning new)
- Naomi (Hebrew, meaning pleasantness)
- Natalie (Latin, meaning Christmas Day, from natale domini)
- Nora (English/Irish roots, commonly read as meaning honor)
- Nicole (Greek, meaning victory of the people)
- Nevaeh (a modern coined name, “heaven” spelled backward)
Rare and distinctive N names for girls
- Nadia (Slavic roots, meaning hope)
- Narida (an Australian Aboriginal name meaning water lily, also carrying a separate “mermaid” reading in Greek)
- Nita (carrying different readings depending on source language, including friendly in Hindi and to plant in Hebrew)
Quick facts
| Common origins | Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Slavic |
| Common meaning themes | newness, pleasantness, honor |
| Note | Nevaeh is a genuinely modern coined name (heaven spelled backward), unlike most names on this list which trace back to older linguistic roots |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular girl’s name starting with N?
Nova, Naomi, and Natalie all currently rank among the top N names for girls in the US.
Is Nevaeh a “real” name with historical roots?
No, and that’s part of its story. It was deliberately created by spelling “heaven” backward, and it became widely used starting in the early 2000s, making it a genuinely modern coined name rather than one with older etymology.
Does Nita mean the same thing in every language that uses it?
No, its meaning varies depending on the source language, carrying separate readings in Hindi and Hebrew rather than one settled universal meaning.
Related reading
Boy equivalent: boy names starting with N.