UK girl's name
Ova
A word of Greek origin meaning "egg".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ova is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ova popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2020 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Ova is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Ova. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ova ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2020, when 3 girls were registered as Ova.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ova as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5493
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2020
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Ova mean?
The name Ova has its roots in the Latin language, originating from the word "ovum," which means "egg." This connection with the concept of an egg has led to various interpretations and associations throughout history.
In ancient Roman culture, the egg was a symbol of fertility, rebirth, and new beginnings. It was believed to represent the cycle of life, as it contained the potential for new life within its shell. The name Ova may have been derived from this symbolic meaning, reflecting the idea of fertility and new beginnings.
During the early Christian era, the egg also gained religious significance as a symbol of resurrection and eternal life. The breaking of the egg's shell was seen as a metaphor for Christ's resurrection from the tomb. As a result, the name Ova may have been used by early Christians as a way to honor and celebrate this symbolic meaning.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ova can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, who lived in the 1st century AD. In his work "Naturalis Historia," he mentions a Roman woman named Ova who was known for her exceptional beauty and grace.
In the Middle Ages, the name Ova was relatively uncommon, but it did appear in some historical records. One notable figure was Ova of Montferrat, a 12th-century noblewoman from the Montferrat region of Italy. She was known for her involvement in the political affairs of her time and her role in the Crusades.
During the Renaissance period, the name Ova gained some popularity among artists and intellectuals who were fascinated by the symbolism and imagery associated with eggs. One example is the Italian painter Ova Ghiberti, who lived in the 15th century and was renowned for his works depicting scenes from the Bible.
In the 19th century, the name Ova appeared in literature, notably in the works of the Russian author Ivan Turgenev. One of his characters, Ova Petrovna, was a strong-willed and independent woman who challenged societal norms of the time.
Another notable figure was Ova Nankivell, a British artist and suffragette who lived from 1858 to 1932. She was known for her vibrant paintings and her activism in the women's suffrage movement, advocating for women's rights and equality.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Ova by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ova was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5493 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ova
- Olivia 123,111
- Orla 10,799
- Olive 6,815
- Ophelia 4,939
- Ottilie 4,407
- Oliwia 2,608
- Ocean 1,811
- Orlaith 1,357
- Olivia-Rose 1,250
- Octavia 1,243
- Olivia-Grace 618
- Orlagh 608
FAQ
Ova: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ova in the UK right now?
In 2020, Ova was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ova most popular?
The peak year on record was 2020, with 3 babies registered as Ova in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ova?
A word of Greek origin meaning "egg".
How many people are called Ova in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Ova across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.