Novalee
Novalee is a girl's name of Contemporary origin.
Meaning
New meadow, or modern combination of 'nova' (new) and 'lee' (clearing or meadow).
Origin and history
Novalee is a modern American invented name, created by combining the Latin prefix 'Nova' with the popular name suffix 'Lee'. It gained significant attention after being used for the protagonist in the 1995 novel and 2000 film 'Where the Heart Is'. In recent years, its usage in the United States has risen steadily among parents seeking a fresh, rustic compound name.
Popularity in the United States
4,567 babies in the United States have been named Novalee since 1880. It ranks #2587 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #775.
States where it is most popular
- TX (13.2 %)
- CA (9.6 %)
- FL (6.1 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
- NY (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 18 |
| 1970-1980 | 6 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 494 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,994 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,055 |
Famous people named Novalee
- Novalee Nation: Fictional character
Nicknames
Nova, Lee, Nova Lee
Fun facts
- The name was popularized by the main character Novalee Nation in Billie Letts's 1995 bestseller 'Where the Heart Is'.
- It merges the Latin root 'nova' meaning 'new' with the Old English suffix 'lee' meaning 'clearing or meadow'.