Find out how popular the first name Neva has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Neva by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Neva is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 65 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Neva.

The history of the first name Neva

The name Neva has its origins in the Russian language and is derived from the name of the Neva River, which flows through the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Neva River has been an important waterway since the founding of Saint Petersburg in the early 18th century, and its name is believed to come from an old Finnish word meaning "sedge-bedded."

One of the earliest known references to the name Neva can be found in the works of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who lived from 1799 to 1837. In his poem "The Bronze Horseman," Pushkin personifies the Neva River as a powerful and unpredictable force of nature.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Neva. One of the earliest was Neva Michailovna Romanova (1901-1975), a Russian princess and member of the Romanov dynasty. She was the daughter of Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia and a prominent figure in the Russian aristocracy before the Bolshevik Revolution.

Another notable figure with the name Neva was Neva Jane Langley Fickling (1920-2020), an American writer and educator who was known for her contributions to children's literature. She wrote several books, including the award-winning novel "Caldecott Medal" in 1963.

In the world of art, Neva Chavez (1901-1988) was a renowned Mexican painter and muralist who was part of the Mexican Muralist Movement. Her works often depicted scenes of everyday life and the struggles of the working class.

In the field of sports, Neva Morris (1895-1988) was an American tennis player who won several Grand Slam titles in the early 20th century. She was a dominant force in women's tennis during the 1920s and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1964.

Finally, Neva Gertrude Goodwin (1886-1974) was a Canadian geologist and paleontologist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil plants. She was one of the first women to work as a professional geologist in Canada and served as the president of the Canadian Federation of University Women.

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 Neva was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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