Nelly

Updated: October 5, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Nelly is an adorable baby name for your daughter that has a wholesome and kindhearted feel. It began as a diminutive for Nell, which dates back to Eleanor and Helen. As of 2021, Nelly is a top 3,700 option for girls.

Meaning of the Name Nelly

Nelly began as a nickname for Nell and means “light”. Nell itself was first a diminutive for options that began with “el.” It likely represented Eleanor and Ellen. Some even used Nell as a nickname for Helen. Eleanor dates back to the ancient Occitan name Alienor. Ellen is the English form of Helen, which comes from the Greek name Helene.

Nelly has the same meaning as Nell, since it is a diminutive for it. Nell ultimately, has the same translations as Helen, Ellen, and Eleanor. Eleanor translates to “shining light.” Ellen and Helen both mean “light.”

Student girl having healthy lunch — ©ASIFE/iStock via Getty Images

Nicknames for Nelly

Nelly is a wholesome and kindhearted baby name. It feels youthful and informal and can be accompanied by a fun nickname. Below, we've compiled a list of options to help you get inspired:

Nell
Nene
El
Elle
Elly
Ellie
Nena
Nenny

Nelly Name Details

Style: Traditional

Gender: Neutral

Pronunciation: NEHL-ee

Syllables: Two

Alternative Spelling for Nelly

Nellie
Nellee
Nelley
Neley
Nely
Nelee
Nelie

Nelly Name Popularity

Nelly has no history as a top 1,000 baby name in America, according to the Social Security Popularity Index. As of 2021, Nelly is a top 3,700 option. It is number 3,642.