🔥Nellie

Diminutive of Helen, Ellen, and Eleanor, English, Swedish

"light, shining torch"

Nellie Origin and Meaning

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

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.

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".

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.

Nellie Rank in US Top 1000

# 521 in the US

Nellie Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 355 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Nellie

• 521 US 2024
• 355 Nameberry 2025
• 71 Unique 2018
• 902 Future 2028
• 93 England 2024
• 77 Sweden 2024

20 Names Similar to Nellie

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Nellie.

• Margo
• Bea
• Lottie
• Marnie
• Tillie
• Greta
• Tess
• Dottie
• Hattie
• Lou
• Minnie
• Betty
• Della
• Polly
• Effie
• Betsy
• Pippa
• Kit
• Penny
• Georgie

Famous People Named Nellie

• Nellie Melba (born Helen Porter Mitchell) Australian operatic soprano
• Nellie Bly pen name of American journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochrane
• Nellie Vladimirovna Kim Tajik Soviet Olympic gymnast
• Nellie Letitia McClung Canadian feminist, author and politician
• Nellie Farren English actress and singer
• Nell Marie "Nellie" McKay American singer,songwriter and actress
• Nellie Tayloe Ross first woman governor (Wyoming) in the U.S.
• Eleanor Towzey "Nellie" Stewart Australian actress and singer

The name Nellie in Pop Culture

• Nellie Forbush character in musical "South Pacific"
• Nellie O'Malley character in the American Girl series
• Nellie Oleson character on TV's "Little House on the Prairie"
• Nellie character in movie "Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure"
• Nellie Turner character in "This Golden Land" by Barbara Wood
• Nellie Ellis character on British soap "EastEnders"
• Eleanour Donna "Nellie" Bertram character on TV's "The Office"
• Nellie Pledge character in the Granada Television series "Nearest and Dearest"
• Nellie Brie character in animated movie "An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster"
• "Nellie the Elephant " 1956 song by Mandy Miller and animated TV series
• Nellie Boswell character on TV's "Bread"
• "Nellie " boat in Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"
• Nellie's Southern Kitchen Kevin Jonas Sr. restaurant in Belmont, NC
• "Whoa Nellie," a phrase
• Nellie Nick Nelson's dog on Netflix' Heartstopper
• Eleanor "Nellie" Crain character in series "The Haunting of Hill House"