Nelle

Nelle, typically pronounced like the one-syllable Nell, is an elegant form of the name used by author Nelle Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird. With whatever spelling, Nell/Nelle is a charming old-fashioned nickname name currently on the rise again.

Originally short for Ellen, Eleanor, or Helen via the affectionate term "mine Ell-", it has since been used as both a stand-alone option and as a nickname for Penelope, Antonella, and Noelle among others too. In fact, this spelling may appeal to those who are honoring names such as Janelle, Nicole, and Danielle.

Variations of the name are popular in Finland, Poland and notably, England and Wales, where Nellie has ranked in the UK Top 100 in recent years and Nell, Nella, Nel, and Nelly also sit within the Top 1000. Nelle, however, was given to just 16 girls in the latest count.

In the US, Nellie is in Top 600, and though Nell has yet to catch up, it has doubled in popularity since 2020. Nelle however is well outside the charts, given to 26 girls in the latest count.

Thought NEHL is the go to pronunciation, NEHL-ee and even NEHL-uh are plausible, based on other names like Emme and Lotte.

TV personality and influencer Lo Bosworth recently chose Nelle for her daughter, born in 2026.

Pronounced NEL.

As of October 2026, Nelle ranked #4325 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #175 in 1885.