How to say it
NEL · lie
/ˈnɛl.i/
Feminine
Nellie
Light; horn
What it means
A pet form of Helen, Eleanor, and Cornelia, used as a name on its own.
Nellie grew up as a sweet pet form of Helen, Eleanor, and Cornelia, so it carries echoes of 'light' and 'horn.' A Victorian and old-prairie favorite, it has the same warm -ie charm as Hattie and Millie and is climbing back into style. Said NEL-ee.
Popularity over time
peaked at #14 in 1881, currently #533 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A pet form of Helen, Eleanor, or Cornelia.
Spelling variants
- Nelly
- Nell
- Nellee
Names with the same feeling
See Nellie from another angle
By meaning
By style