Nelly
Nelly is an girl name of English pet form origin, meaning “Diminutive of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”.
| Meaning | Diminutive of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | English pet form |
| Pronunciation | NEL-ee |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United Kingdom, United States, France |
Meaning and origin of Nelly
Nelly is an old English pet form of names such as Eleanor, Ellen and Helen; the initial N came from running 'mine Ellie' together, the same way Ned came from 'mine Ed'. Helen's own meaning is unclear, though it is often linked to the Greek word for 'torch' or 'light'. Nelly was a favourite in the nineteenth century and appears often in English literature, for instance as the narrator Nelly Dean in Wuthering Heights.
Is Nelly a religious name?
Nelly is a pet form with no religious background of its own, though Helen and Eleanor have Christian associations through Saint Helena.
How popular is Nelly?
Rare in English-speaking countries today; more common in France, Germany and Sweden.
Gifts with the name Nelly
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Spellings and variants of Nelly
Names similar to Nelly
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nelly mean?
Nelly means 'Diminutive of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen'. It is of English pet form origin.
Does Nelly have a religious meaning?
Nelly is a pet form with no religious background of its own, though Helen and Eleanor have Christian associations through Saint Helena.
How do you pronounce Nelly?
Nelly is pronounced NEL-ee.
Is Nelly a boy or girl name?
Nelly is usually a girl name.