The letter Nu is the 13th character of the Greek alphabet. It comes from the Phoenician letter Nun, a symbol originally linked to a fish. Early Greek scribes adopted Nu with a simple design that met the needs of their writing. In the earliest examples, Nu was drawn as a basic mark, easy to carve on stone or inscribe on clay.

As Greek writing developed, the form of Nu changed across regions. Local variations existed, but the need for clear communication led to a more uniform shape. Some texts show Nu with a slight curve, while others display it in a more angular form. Despite these differences, Nu consistently represented the /n/ sound. In some cases, Nu was also used in the Greek numeral system to denote a specific value, which helped traders and scholars work with numbers.

Today, Nu appears in modern Greek texts in everyday writing and formal documents. Its role extends into academic subjects as well. In physics, Nu is often used to denote frequency or appears in formulas related to waves. In statistics, Nu represents degrees of freedom in certain tests, while in mathematics it serves as a variable in various equations. These uses show that Nu has remained practical and adaptable over time.

The evolution of Nu is a clear example of how a simple symbol from an ancient alphabet can be refined for modern use. Its straightforward design and practical role in language and science have kept it relevant.