Neoma
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Greek meaning "new moon".
Name Census estimates that about 680 living Americans carry the first name Neoma. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Neoma today is around 59 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Neoma births was 1924 (110 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Neoma. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
680
~ 1 in 504,050 Americans
Peak year
1924
110 babies that year
Average age
59
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,784
Tracked since 1885
Popularity
Neoma: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Neoma from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 899 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neoma by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Neoma during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Neomas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 18 states and territories. Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas recorded the most babies named Neoma, while Mississippi, Colorado, Alabama recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 59 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Neoma
The name Neoma is a unique and intriguing moniker with a fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greek, where it is believed to have derived from the word "neos," meaning "new," and "moira," which translates to "destiny" or "fate." Together, the name Neoma could be interpreted as "new destiny" or "new fate," suggesting a fresh start or new beginnings.
In the annals of history, Neoma has been a relatively rare name, but its occurrences have been documented in various cultures and time periods. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who briefly mentioned a woman named Neoma in his work "Nicomachean Ethics."
During the Byzantine era, Neoma was occasionally bestowed upon young women as a symbol of hope and renewal. It is said that a notable figure named Neoma lived in Constantinople during the 6th century, though records of her life and accomplishments are scarce.
In the Middle Ages, the name Neoma resurfaced in various European regions, particularly in Italy and France. One notable bearer of the name was Neoma de Montfort, a French noblewoman who lived in the 12th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and literature.
As time progressed, the name Neoma continued to be used sporadically across different parts of the world. In the 19th century, a woman named Neoma Jeffries gained recognition in the United States for her work as a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights.
Another notable figure with the name Neoma was Neoma Hoskins, an American artist and sculptor who lived from 1885 to 1967. Her works, which often depicted scenes from nature, were highly acclaimed and can be found in several art museums across the country.
In more recent times, Neoma has maintained its rarity as a given name, but it has been carried on by individuals who have left their mark in various fields. One such person was Neoma Harding, a Canadian writer and journalist who was born in 1927 and is renowned for her insightful commentary on social and political issues.
While Neoma may not be a household name, its unique blend of ancient Greek roots and the promise of new beginnings make it a captivating choice for those seeking a name with a rich historical background and profound meaning.
People
Neoma + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Neoma as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Neoma: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Neoma?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 680 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Neoma going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 504,050 US residents.
Is Neoma a common name?
We classify Neoma as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 3,231 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Neoma most popular?
The single biggest year for Neoma was 1924, when 110 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Neoma is about 59 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Neoma a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Neoma in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.