The nameNellie
Nellie is a pet form of Eleanor, Ellen or Helen. Very common around 1900, it is coming back in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- English
Meaning
Nellie comes from Eleanor, Ellen or Helen, from the Greek Helene, often linked to "torch, light".
Origin
English, from a diminutive.
History
Nellie was in the American top 100 from 1880 to 1925 and reached 14th place in 1881. In England and Wales it reached 93rd place in 2024.
Famous people named Nellie
- Nellie Melba, soprano
- Nellie Bly, journalist
- Nellie McKay, singer
Popularity of the name Nellie
Nellie in the United States
Nellie was most popular in the United States in the 1910s, with 30,968 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Nellie. Half of all babies named Nellie in the United States were born before 1919, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 446 births a year on average, against 229 in the five years before.
Nellie in the United Kingdom
Nellie was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 2,969 births over the decade, 64% of all recorded babies named Nellie. Its rise began around 2014, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Nellie in the United Kingdom were born before 2021, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 512 births a year on average, against 310 in the five years before.
Nellie in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Nellie
Names from the same generation as Nellie, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Nellie? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Nellie with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Nellie side by side with the name of your choice.
Nellie in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nellie mean?
Nellie comes from Eleanor, Ellen or Helen, from the Greek Helene, often linked to "torch, light".
What is the origin of the name Nellie?
English, from a diminutive.
Is Nellie a girl's or a boy's name?
Nellie is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Nellie?
In 2024, Nellie was the 520th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 591 births.
What are the variants of the name Nellie?
Variants and related names of Nellie include Eleanor and Eleonore.
What are good sibling names for Nellie?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Rosie, Louise, Flora and Romy for a sister, Louie, Sonny, Teddy and Musa for a brother.
Who are famous people named Nellie?
Nellie Melba, soprano; Nellie Bly, journalist; Nellie McKay, singer.