Find out how popular the first name Nashua has been for the last 44 years (from 1981 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nashua by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Nashua is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nashua.

The history of the first name Nashua

The name Nashua has its origins in the Algonquian languages spoken by Native American tribes of the Northeastern United States and Canada. It is derived from the Nashua River, which flows through Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The name translates to "beautiful stream with a pebbly bottom."

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Nashua dates back to the 17th century, when it referred to the Nashua River and the Nashua tribe who lived along its banks. The Nashua tribe was part of the larger Algonquian linguistic and cultural group.

In historical records, the name Nashua appears in various spellings, including Natshua, Nashaway, and Nashawog. These variations reflect the different ways the name was transcribed by European settlers and explorers who encountered the Nashua tribe and the river.

While the name Nashua has its roots in Native American culture, it gained prominence in the 19th century with the growth of the city of Nashua, New Hampshire. The city was named after the Nashua River and became an important industrial center during the Industrial Revolution.

One notable individual named Nashua was Nashua Wyman, a Native American woman born in the late 18th century who was a member of the Penobscot tribe. She lived in Maine and was known for her skills as a basket maker and storyteller.

Another individual with the name Nashua was Nashua Plaunt, a Native American writer and activist born in 1908. He was a member of the Algonquin nation and worked to promote indigenous rights and cultural preservation.

In the realm of literature, Nashua appears as the name of a character in the novel "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, published in 1826. The character, a member of the Mohican tribe, plays a significant role in the story set during the French and Indian War.

Nashua was also the name of a racehorse that competed in the early 20th century. Nashua, a thoroughbred born in 1952, won several prestigious races, including the Preakness Stakes in 1955.

While the name Nashua has its roots in Native American culture, it has transcended its origins and become a part of American history and literature, with individuals bearing the name making contributions in various fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nashua was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nashua, please contact us.

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