Norva
Of unknown meaning or origin, potentially derived from the Latin "norma" (a rule or standard).
Name Census estimates that about 91 living Americans carry the first name Norva. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Norva today is around 78 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Norva births was 1931 (23 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Norva. 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.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Norva is about 78 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Norvas were born before 1958.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Norva. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
91
~ 1 in 3,766,531 Americans
Peak year
1931
23 babies that year
Average age
78
years old
1964 SSA rank
#5,848
Tracked since 1911
Popularity
Norva: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Norva from the 1910s through to the 1960s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1930s, with 103 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1930s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Norva 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 Norva during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Norva
The name Norva is a rare and intriguing moniker with a rich history and fascinating origins. It is believed to have its roots in the ancient Norse language, which was spoken by the Germanic tribes that inhabited Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Linguists suggest that Norva may be derived from the Old Norse word "norðr," meaning "north," and the suffix "-va," which was commonly used to form feminine names.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Norva can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas. These medieval literary works chronicled the lives and adventures of the Viking explorers and settlers who ventured across the North Atlantic, establishing settlements in places like Iceland, Greenland, and even reaching the shores of North America.
In the realm of historical figures, the name Norva is inextricably linked to the legendary Viking warrior and seafarer, Norva the Fearless. Born in 871 in the Norwegian village of Haugesund, Norva is said to have sailed across treacherous seas and led daring raids against rival clans. Her courage and fierce leadership earned her a place in the annals of Norse folklore, and her name became synonymous with bravery and unwavering determination.
Another noteworthy figure bearing the name Norva was the 11th-century Norwegian noblewoman, Norva Halldorsdottir. A powerful landowner and respected advisor to the King of Norway, Halldorsdottir played a pivotal role in the political and social landscape of her time. Her influence extended far beyond the boundaries of her estates, and her name is often invoked as a symbol of strength and wisdom.
In the realm of literature, the name Norva gained prominence in the 13th-century Icelandic saga, "The Saga of Norva the Wise." This epic tale recounts the adventures of a young woman named Norva, who embarked on a perilous journey across the icy seas, seeking knowledge and enlightenment. Her unwavering pursuit of wisdom and her ability to navigate treacherous waters made her a celebrated figure in the annals of Norse mythology.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning the 16th-century Danish artist, Norva Johannesdatter, whose breathtaking woodcarvings and intricate tapestries adorned churches and noble households across Scandinavia. Her exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail earned her widespread acclaim, and her works became treasured symbols of the rich cultural heritage of the Nordic region.
While the name Norva may have faded from common use in modern times, its legacy remains firmly rooted in the annals of history, a testament to the courage, resilience, and ingenuity of those who bore this moniker throughout the ages.
People
Norva + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Norva 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
Norva: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Norva?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 91 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Norva 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 3,766,531 US residents.
Is Norva a common name?
We classify Norva as "Very Rare". It ranks above 63.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 365 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Norva most popular?
The single biggest year for Norva was 1931, when 23 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Norva is about 78 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Norva a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Norva 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.