Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Nell
GirlEnglish· “short form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”
- Meaning
- short form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- NEHL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,628
- US babies 2025
- 128
- Best rank
- #144 (1886)
- Peak year
- 1917
Meaning and origin of Nell
Nell is an English name that means “short form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”.
Nell is a short form of Eleanor, Helen and Ellen, used since the Middle Ages. Nell Gwyn, the actress and mistress of King Charles II, is a famous historical bearer, and Little Nell is the heroine of Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop. It is said NEHL. The name has a cozy, vintage feel and has returned to fashion as parents rediscover short Victorian names. It works as a full name or as a nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Nelle.
Popularity over time
Nell has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 76 different years. Its best national rank was #144 in 1886, and the most babies received it in 1917, when 766 were named Nell. In 2025, 128 babies were named Nell, and it ranked #1,628 nationally. That is 110% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #256 in 1920, #684 in 1950, #2,422 in 1980, #4,371 in 2000, #5,741 in 2010, and #1,628 in 2025. Of the 27,612 US girls named Nell since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 5,613 babies. Since 2010, 1,275 more have been named Nell.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Elva, Selma, Helene, Alta, and Frieda.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nell ranked highest in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #734 | 7 |
| Colorado | #770 | 7 |
| Illinois | #838 | 11 |
| New Jersey | #909 | 8 |
| Washington | #1014 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nell is usually pronounced NEHL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-ll”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Nelle.
Middle names for Nell
A few middle names that flow with Nell: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nell
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Lists that include Nell
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nell mean?
Nell is an English name that means “short form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”.
What is the origin of the name Nell?
Nell has English roots. Nell is a short form of Eleanor, Helen and Ellen, used since the Middle Ages.
Is Nell a popular name?
Not especially. Nell ranked #1,628 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nell a boy or girl name?
Nell is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nell?
Nell is usually pronounced NEHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings