Navika is a feminine given name of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Odisha in eastern India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Navaika," which means "the one who has new and creative ideas." In Hindu mythology, Navika is also associated with the female form of the god Vishnu, known as Nava-Vishnu.
The name Navika gained popularity during the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century. It was often given to girls born into families that were involved in the fight for India's freedom from British rule. The name's meaning, which suggests innovation and creativity, resonated with these families who wanted their daughters to embody these qualities.
In recent years, Navika has become more widely known outside of India due to its use by international figures such as Navika Kotia, a British-Indian YouTuber and social media influencer. Despite its increasing popularity, however, the name remains relatively uncommon compared to other Indian girls' names like Priya or Aisha.
In terms of spelling variations, "Navika" is most commonly written in English using the letter "i" between "N" and "ka." However, other spellings such as Naviha or Naveeka are also used. Regardless of how it's spelled, this beautiful name carries a powerful meaning that celebrates originality and innovation.
The name Navika has been given to a total of 113 babies born in the United States between 2008 and 2023, according to available statistics. While it's not one of the most popular names during this period, it has seen some fluctuations in its popularity.
In 2017, Navika was at its peak popularity with 15 births that year alone. This is a significant increase compared to previous years and sets it apart from other years where the number of births ranged between 6 to 10 annually.
However, since 2018, the number of babies named Navika has decreased somewhat, fluctuating between 6 to 9 births per year. Despite these fluctuations, it's clear that there is a consistent, if small, group of parents who choose this name for their children each year.
Overall, while Navika may not be a household name in the United States, it has been steadily present over the course of fifteen years, indicating that it holds some appeal for parents looking for unique and distinctive names for their children.