nový

Nový is a Czech and Slovak word meaning "new." It functions as an adjective and as a surname in these languages. In grammar, the masculine singular nominative form is novým? Wait, careful: the correct form is nový; the feminine form is nová and the neuter nové. The root comes from Proto-Slavic *novъ and has cognates in other Slavic languages, such as Polish nowy, Russian novyy, and Ukrainian noviy.

In toponymy, Nový is frequently used to indicate a newer settlement relative to an older one. It appears in many Czech and Slovak place names, often paired with a geographic element, such as Nový Bor or Nový Jičín, among others. These examples illustrate how the word functions to distinguish a newer locality from an existing one.

As a surname, Nový is a common Czech and Slovak surname. The feminine form is Nová. Surnames of this type may originate from a description of a place (a “new” settlement) or from a nickname that once distinguished an individual. They are inherited and occur across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and diaspora communities.

Notes: In English-language texts, diacritics are often dropped, yielding the form Novy. The name may also appear in varied transliterations in non-Slovak and non-Czech contexts. Overall, Nový reflects a shared Slavic heritage tied to the concept of something new, whether in language, geography, or family names.