Nellie
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Nellie
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 is also given to boys.
Pronounced NEL-ee.
As of October 2026, Nellie ranked #533 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #14 in 1881, Nameberry popularity #523.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,303 | 183 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #1,245 | 197 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #1,222 | 202 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #1,227 | 196 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #1,069 | 239 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #863 | 311 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #840 | 325 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #743 | 384 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #664 | 445 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #615 | 485 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #521 | 591 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #533 | 567 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Nellie.
Nellie on lists
Famous Nellies
- Nellie Melba (born Helen Porter Mitchell)Girl
Australian operatic soprano
- Nellie BlyGirl
pen name of American journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochrane
- Nellie Vladimirovna KimGirl
Tajik Soviet Olympic gymnast
- Nellie Letitia McClungGirl
Canadian feminist, author and politician
- Nellie FarrenGirl
English actress and singer
- Nell Marie "Nellie" McKayGirl
American singer,songwriter and actress
- Nellie Tayloe RossGirl
first woman governor (Wyoming) in the U.S.
- Eleanor Towzey "Nellie" StewartGirl
Australian actress and singer
Nellie in pop culture
- Nellie ForbushGirl
character in musical "South Pacific"
- Nellie O'MalleyGirl
character in the American Girl series
- Nellie OlesonGirl
character on TV's "Little House on the Prairie"
- NellieGirl
character in movie "Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure"
- Nellie TurnerGirl
character in "This Golden Land" by Barbara Wood
- Nellie EllisGirl
character on British soap "EastEnders"
- Eleanour Donna "Nellie" BertramGirl
character on TV's "The Office"
- Nellie PledgeGirl
character in the Granada Television series "Nearest and Dearest"
- Nellie BrieGirl
character in animated movie "An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster"
- "Nellie the ElephantGirl
" 1956 song by Mandy Miller and animated TV series
- Nellie BoswellGirl
character on TV's "Bread"
- "NellieGirl
" boat in Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"
- Nellie's Southern KitchenGirl
Kevin Jonas Sr. restaurant in Belmont, NC
- "WhoaGirl
Nellie," a phrase
- NellieGirl
Nick Nelson's dog on Netflix' Heartstopper
- Eleanor "Nellie" CrainGirl
character in series "The Haunting of Hill House"
- Negative NellieGirl
Phrase