Surname Novy - Meaning and Origin
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Novy: What does the surname Novy mean?
Novy is a surname of Czech origin that can also be found among Slovakian, Polish, or Russian communities. It is derived from the word "nový," which translates to "new" in English. This could have several interpretations, such as a nickname or occupational name for someone who was new in a town or village, or for a person who was a newcomer or novice in a certain trade or profession. It may have also been given to people who just embarked on a new life, perhaps after marriage or after a transformational event. Additionally, given that surnames often used to denote a person's trade, this last name could also signal at a profession where something "new" was created. Like many surnames, Novy could have different meanings depending on the specific historical and regional context.
Order DNA origin analysisNovy: Where does the name Novy come from?
The last name Novy is most common in Central and Eastern Europe today, particularly Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine. It is a Slavic last name derived from the old Slavic word "novy" or "nový", which translates to "new". It is likely to have been adopted by a family who settled in a new area, or began a new profession.
In Poland, Novy is ranked as the 795th most popular last name. It is most prevalent in the south and east of the country, including the region of Silesia which has been under Polish rule since 1945. The number of people bearing the Novy surname is estimated to be around 15,000.
In the Czech Republic, Novy is one of the top 250 surnames with an estimated 8,000 people bearing the name. It is particularly concentrated in the south and east of the country as well as Prague.
In Slovakia, the surname appears to be slightly more common than in the Czech Republic. It ranks as the 134th most popular surname with an estimated 5,500 people bearing the name.
In Ukraine, Novy is one of the more popular surnames, ranking as the 88th most popular with an estimated 5,000 people bearing the name. It primarily appears in the west of the country as well as the capital, Kyiv.
Overall, Novy is a common last name throughout Central and Eastern Europe. While its exact origin is unclear, it most likely refers to a family who settled in a new area or began a new profession.
Variations of the surname Novy
The surname Novy is an old Czechoslovak name that first appeared in historical records in the 11th century. Variations in the spelling of the name are numerous and include Novy, Nový, Novi, Nová, Nové, Novík, Novák, Novica, Novicky, and even Nauwy. It is believed that the name Novy is derived from the old Slavic word for ‘new’.
The Czech patronymic suffix -če is also commonly added to the name, which results in variants such as Novyče, Novýček, and Novýčeková. Moravian iterations of the Novy surname include Novýč and Novif, and Ukrainian variations include Noviy and Novyi.
In some cases, the spelling has been modified to sound more German-sounding, such as Writing Novy as Nowy or Nowey, or Nový as Nawy or Nawey. The surname has been Anglicised in a range of forms, such as Novey, Novie, Novy-Heyduk, Novi-Heyduk, Heyduk-Novy, and Heyduk-Novi.
The surnames Nowak and Novak are related to Novy; in the Polish language Nowak is a variation of the Polish word for new, while Novak is a derivation of the Slavic Novy.
Additionally, many variants of the Novy surname have evolved as a result of variations in local dialects and languages. In France, Novy is now known as the surname Novi, while in Spain and Italy it is often spelled Novi or Navi. Variants have also been found in Holland, Germany, and Austria, where the name is spelled Novi or Nawe, among other variations.
Famous people with the name Novy
- Stanislav Novy: Stanislav Novy is one of the most famous Czech hockey players of all-time. He is a three-time European Player of the Year and is considered the best Czech ever to play hockey.
- Frederick Novy: Frederick Novy was an American researcher and bacteriologist. His groundbreaking research on typhoid revolutionized germ theory and his views on prevention of disease with vaccination and other methods were considered revolutionary at the time.
- Jan Novy: Jan Novy was a Czech journalist and editor. He founded the influential Czech newspaper Lidove noviny and was the country's chief dissident in the 1950s.
- Richard Novy: Richard Novy is an American painter and sculptor. He is best known for his monumental outdoor sculptures, including the “Time Machine” and the “Fountain of Life”.
- Ales Novy: Ales Novy is a Czech movie director. He is best known for his surrealist films, such as “The Summer of Sloth” and “Ode to Greenness”.
- Kurt Novy: Kurt Novy is a Austrian fashion designer. He is best known for his unique menswear designs, which are highly sought after by celebrities and high-profile individuals.