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Baby Name of the Day: Neva

January 4, 2011 By appellationmountain 31 Comments

View from a Snowdrift

Image by dibytes via Flickr

Here’s a choice with a subtle link to wintry weather.

Thanks to Nicole for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Neva.

The seasonal story of Neva is that she’s related to the Latin word for snow – nivem.  But it’s just one of several possible origins:

  • She could be a short form of names that end in -neva.  The only -neva ending name that springs to mind is Geneva, but as it happens, this tracks.  In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Geneva regularly appeared in the US Top 1000 a few dozen places ahead of Neva;
  • Nevada also appeared in the US Top 1000 in the same era.  While we don’t think of the American Southwest and snow, Nevada owes its name to the Spanish nevado – snowy, as in the Sierra Nevada mountain range;
  • Neva also brings to mind the Gaelic Niamh, or the sometimes-related Neve, with an extra -a tacked on to the end;
  • Then there are a few references to Niva, sometimes listed as a Hebrew name, but also a place name in Denmark and the Czech Republic;
  • While we’re looking at the map, there’s Russia’s Neva River, and wouldn’t you know it?  There’s a debate about the river’s name meaning, too.  Options range from a Finnish word meaning sea, to a Finnish word meaning swamp, to a Swedish word meaning new.  Or, well … possibly the Latin root for snow.

That takes us back to where we started, so let’s just say that Neva will make many people think of snow-covered fields and forests.

Others might think of one of a few famous Nevas, including:

  • Former NPR Morning Edition producer Neva Grant;
  • One of David Rockefeller, Sr.’s eight children is the distinguished academic Neva Rockefeller Goodwin, though she’s known professionally as just Neva R. Goodwin;
  • Miss America 1953 was Neva Langley;
  • Neva Patterson had a long career, from supporting roles in Hollywood classics like An Affair to Remember, to guest roles on many a television series, from The Waltons to Webster.

Neva almost reads like one of those names that is slipping out of fashion.  After peaking at #212 in 1898, Neva held on in the US Top 1000 nearly every year through 1963.  She’s been rare ever since.  But given the rise of Ava,  Eva, and company, she may be poised for a renaissance.

Which brings us to one of Neva’s enduring drawbacks: does she rhyme with diva, or Ava?  Forvo gives the  pronunciation as the latter.  You might even hear Neva’s -ev pronounced like the -ev in clever – or Nevada.  She’s so little used that you can take your pick.

She’s simple, distinctive, and manages to feel both pan-European and vintage Americana at once.  Especially for a winter-born daughter, Neva could be a perfect choice.

More names you might like:

  • Baby Name of the Day: NivaBaby Name of the Day: Niva
  • Name of the Day: NiamhName of the Day: Niamh
  • Simple, Sweet and Stuck in the MiddleSimple, Sweet and Stuck in the Middle
  • David: Baby Name of the DayDavid: Baby Name of the Day
  • Baby Name of the Day: NevabelleBaby Name of the Day: Nevabelle

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Comments

  1. Neva Adams says

    November 8, 2020 at 9:59 AM

    Another Neva here born in the 1950s. Love your article and the last sentence fits me perfectly, even to being born in January. I’ll definitely use Neva = diva next time I introduce myself.
    On Facebook recently a “Neva” quilt popped up and the last time I looked at it there seemed to be at least 100 Neva’s popping in to say Hello. It’s a beautiful name.

    Reply
    • NEVA WHITE says

      October 21, 2021 at 5:47 PM

      I am Neva Jane and was named after Miss America 1953. BEAUTIFUL NAME.AND SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL LADY. NAMESAKE!

      Reply
  2. texasredbird says

    July 31, 2017 at 3:53 PM

    My name is Neva. Pronounced Nee-vuh. Rhyming with Diva. I hated my name growing up (I was born in 1954). Most people mispronounce it and I always have to spell it. But almost everywhere I go I am told that it is a pretty name and people seem to like it. I am still not fond of my name, but I no longer hate it. My middle name is Kay and always wished it was Marie. I like the two names together – Neva Marie.

    Reply
  3. NEVA HENLEY says

    June 22, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    MY NAME IS NEVA HENLEY. I WAS BORN IN 1924. I DON’T KNOW WHERE MY MOTHER FOUND THE NAME. I LIKE IT BECAUSE PEOPLE REMEMBER IT.

    Reply
  4. Jessica says

    June 3, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    I just stumbled upon this. We named our daughter Neva – rhymed with Ava – derived from Latin or Spanish for snow. I love that it’s unusual and yet so classic feeling too. And although NO one pronounces it right, we don’t care 🙂

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      June 3, 2013 at 11:15 PM

      Great name!

      Reply
  5. sophie says

    May 11, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    I named my daughter (born in February snowstorm last year) Neva and I really love the name! We pronounce it Nee-vuh, ie rhymes with diva (as it happens she is turning out to be a bit of a diva!). I love that it is unusual yet somehow classic.

    Reply
  6. Sarah A says

    January 7, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I know a spunky blond 4 year old named Neva who lives in a tiny town in northern MI and it’s pronounced like Diva. I loved reading about the history of Neva because based on her sibling’s names I always thought her parents just made it up. I love the winter vibe!

    Reply
  7. julia says

    January 5, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    In Russian, the Neva river is pronounced “n’yeva” – I wonder if that’s how the model is pronouncing it. It is a really beautiful, soft sound in Russian

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 7, 2011 at 7:15 AM

      Julia, thanks for that! It is a lovely sound.

      Reply
  8. appellationmountain says

    January 4, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    Great to hear from you, Neva! And I’m glad the name has worn so well. “Hi I’m Neva, rhymes with diva” makes for a memorable introduction, too. 😉

    Reply
    • Neva says

      November 6, 2014 at 12:15 AM

      I totally introduce myself to people that way. Or I’ll say, “Hi I’m Neva, like Geneva without the “juh”. It doesn’t sound terribly articulate but it helps people remember it.
      Mine is actually derived from Geneva. My aunt is named Neva and her great grandmother was Geneva.

      Reply
      • Neva says

        November 6, 2014 at 12:17 AM

        Oh also, sorry for not providing additional context. I was born in the early 1990s and I seldom hear of any other Nevas. I do pronounce it as rhyming with diva (nee-vuh). I don’t care for the way it sounds when it is pronounced like a slang “never” as in “neh-vuh” but to each their own. 🙂

        Reply
  9. Neva says

    January 4, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I’m a Neva, born in the 1970’s. I’ve always loved my name, only meeting one other Neva who was in her 80’s. I am an American living in England and I get called Neve a lot here, very few people know the name Neva and tend to remember the more familiar. It is a good nicknameless name, and pronouce it Nee-vah (rhyming with diva) so it is never confused with the slang for “never”. I have a winter birthday and have always thought my name was quite appropriate:)

    Reply
    • Violet Collins says

      November 2, 2020 at 2:13 PM

      I know a Neva, but we always call her Nevie or Nev or just plain Neva. Her full name is actually Jeneva, but she goes by Neva.

      Reply
  10. Joy says

    January 4, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I like Eva better, because it was my grandmother’s name, but I think she had a friend at our church named Neva.

    I do like Neva a lot better than Nevaeh, surprised you didn’t mention it.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 4, 2011 at 8:16 PM

      I didn’t even THINK of Nevaeh, but yes, Joy – you’re exactly right that there’s a similar vibe there.

      Reply
  11. Heather Elaine says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    I like Neva, although I’d never use it personally. I like how the N makes the name feel a bit more substantial than Ava, Eva, or Eve. Geneva nicknamed Neva would be very sweet.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 4, 2011 at 8:15 PM

      I like the idea of Geneva, nn Neva!

      Reply
  12. nicole says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Thanks for doing this one! This is my grandmother’s name and one of my middle names. It is certainly in consideration for a middle name for a future daughter. In our family we pronounce it nee -vah. I have only met one other person with this name other than my grandmother, and she was my grandmother’s best friend for a while til she moved away, funny! She also pronounced her name nee-vah. My grandmother was born in October 1946, apparently when the name was still on the charts, but not during winter. Our family are southwesterners from California and Nevada, so I always connected her name with Nevada even though they are pronounced differently. I am excited to show Granny what you dug up and ask what she thinks!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 4, 2011 at 8:15 PM

      What a very cool name to have on your family tree – and in the middle spot, too!

      Reply
    • Neva says

      December 18, 2012 at 7:52 PM

      That’s cool!
      My first name actually is legit, Neva pronounced the way you said.

      Reply
  13. Joanna says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Ha! Estella beat me to it.

    Reply
  14. Joanna says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    LOVE it! Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova named her daughter Neva after the river.

    Reply
  15. estella says

    January 4, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I think Neva is a really beautiful name, pronounced any which way you can think of. Supermodel Natalia Vodianova and husband Justin Portman named their daughter Neva after the river.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 4, 2011 at 8:15 PM

      Oooh … I didn’t know that. How cool!

      Reply
  16. nikki says

    January 4, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Very pretty! And I love the related Neve! But i just can’t get past that no matter how I pronounce it, it sounds like a slang version of “never”! “Would you use this name?””Neva!!” SORRY!!!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      January 4, 2011 at 8:14 PM

      Yikes! That’s true. But not if you rhyme Neva with Eva …

      Reply
    • Neva says

      December 18, 2012 at 7:50 PM

      My name actually happens to be Neva, and I pronounce it knee-vah.
      So the name is still being used.

      Reply
      • Neva says

        November 6, 2014 at 12:20 AM

        I agree with Neva above ^^.
        It is my name and I pronounce it the same (with a long E). I was born in the ’90s so it is still used at least a little this generation. I don’t know any other Nevas outside of my family though.

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fetching Names: The Katnisses, Part II | Appellation Mountain says:
    March 2, 2012 at 2:03 AM

    […] Neva, Niva, Neve – These short names have many possible origins, ranging from famous rivers to Irish myth to the Latin word for snow.  They also have an awful lot of edge.  It’s easy to imagine any of them wielding a bow and arrow. […]

    Reply

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