Nell
Nell is an girl name of English origin, meaning “Light (from Helen)”.
| Meaning | Light (from Helen) |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | English |
| Pronunciation | NEL |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, United States |
Meaning and origin of Nell
Nell began as a medieval short form of Eleanor, Ellen and Helen; the initial N probably came from 'mine Ell' heard as 'my Nell'. Helen is from Greek and is usually linked to a word for torch or light, though this is debated. Nell Gwyn, actress and mistress of Charles II, made it famous, and Dickens's Little Nell kept it in view. It has returned as a fashionable name in Britain.
Is Nell a religious name?
Nell has no religious meaning of its own, though Helen recalls Saint Helena, mother of Constantine.
How popular is Nell?
Popular again in Britain and Australia.
Gifts with the name Nell
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Spellings and variants of Nell
Names similar to Nell
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nell mean?
Nell means 'Light (from Helen)'. It is of English origin.
Does Nell have a religious meaning?
Nell has no religious meaning of its own, though Helen recalls Saint Helena, mother of Constantine.
How do you pronounce Nell?
Nell is pronounced NEL.
Is Nell a boy or girl name?
Nell is usually a girl name.