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Nellie

The name Nellie peaked for boys at #475 in 1893. Nellie is also used for girls, ranking #533 in 2025.

The name Nellie is a girl's name of English origin meaning "light, shining torch".

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This sweet nickname name has seen a recent revival in the US, breaking the Top 1000 in 2019 for the first time in 40 years. By 2024, it became one of the fastest rising girl names, chasing sister name Eleanor up the charts, spurred on by the rise of other vintage gems like Margot, Millie, Willa, and Lottie. 
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Nellie is an elaboration of Nell, a medieval diminutive of names starting with El, such as Eleanor and Ellen, though it equally works for Penelope, Antonella, and more. It may have arisen from the affectionate phrase "mine El" which was later reinterpreted as "my Nel", much like "mine Anne" became "my Nan" and then "Nancy". 
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Nellie is an international choice, well-used throughout Europe. She is one of the top names in England and Wales and Sweden, while succinct spelling Nelly is also popular in Czechia and the UK. Over in the US, Nellie was given to around 590 girls, and featured in the Top 600. 

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The name Nellie is currently ranked #533 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #14 in 1881. The name is most popular in NELLIE, NELLIE, and NELLIE. Nellie is occasionally used for boys in 1947.

Cornelia

Eleanor

Nell

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	—	0	0
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	—	0	0
2020	—	0	0
2021	—	0	0
2022	—	0	0
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

Nellie

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