Nova or Nora

Nova Lewis or Nora Lewis for the aunt in my novel, New Haven?

Personally, I think it comes down to what name would be more appropriate for a woman her age, in her social standing, in her region, country, or state. It's hard to answer "what should I name this character", because we don't know anything about your setting, plot, or characters—are the aunt's parents more old-fashioned? Are they focused on the future? Are they interested in astronomy, in which case "Nova" would be a plausible name?

Also, just so you know, you can make a thread for your novel in Writers Corner that acts as advertisement as well as working out the kinks in said novel. You don't need to create a new thread for every little question if you have a composite one.

I want to point out that "Nora" in Japanese means "Stray" (as in the "Noragami" anime that means "Stray God") and something like that. If it suits your story, then I would love to recommend "Nora"!

NicolMemo wrote:I want to point out that "Nora" in Japanese means "Stray" (as in the "Noragami" anime that means "Stray God") and something like that. If it suits your story, then I would love to recommend "Nora"!
:D

This isn't quite correct. While "nora" (野良) does mean "stray", it's only in specific cases, all of them as compound words. 野良 can also mean "unauthorized" in compound words, and it means "fields, farmland" when on its own.

As a family name, 野良 is read Nora, but as a personal name, it is read as Noyoshi.

Heh.
Thanks @Kyllorac for repairing me. I got bad marks in Kanji...

By the way, in Greek, Nora means "light" and it also describes women of great Beauty. Beautiful babies are often named Nora as they beleived that the name would give the baby good luck.

And some Scholars say that Nora also means "the enlightened one", "the Beautiful one" and also "the wise one". In high society most women are named Nora, because the name entitles Nobility, Beauty, Light, Grace and Wit. ^^
~Memo

To me, Nora is an old-fashioned and very aunt-like name. Aunt Nora conjures up images of Auntie Em from The Wizard of Oz, a very sensible woman. Nova on the other hand, sounds like a fairy godmother. I think you have to decide which one she is!