CeVO4 (Cerium orthovanadate) nanoparticles were synthesized by urea-assisted simple and efficient combustion method. Phase formations of synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyzer (TG-DTA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the crystal planes and size of synthesized CeVO4 nanoparticles. The average size, morphological shape and the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopic with selected area electron diffraction (TEM-SAED). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of elemental composition and purity of the synthesized nanoparticles. Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the possible stretching frequency on the surface of CeVO4 nanoparticles. Surface area and porosity studies of synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) curve. Moreover, CeVO4 nanoparticles evinced excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The studies describing the synthesis of CeVO4 nanoparticles by efficient combustion method followed by the investigation of antibacterial activities may be useful for research opening a new arena in the field of nanobiotechnology.