Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nelly
GirlEnglish· “pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”
- Meaning
- pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- NEH-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,294
- US babies 2025
- 173
- Best rank
- #625 (1882)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Nelly
Nelly is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”.
Nelly is a pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen, and it has long been used as an independent name. Eleanor's origin is uncertain, and Helen's meaning is debated, so Nelly's roots are varied. The name has a sweet, old-fashioned charm and appears in literature and song, including Nelly Dean in Wuthering Heights. Nelly sounds cheerful and warm. Nell and Nellie are common alternatives, and the name pairs nicely with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Nellie, Nelli.
Popularity over time
Nelly first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 5 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #625 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 208 were named Nelly. In 2025, 173 babies were named Nelly, and it ranked #1,294 nationally. That is 42% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,934 in 1920, #2,167 in 1950, #1,654 in 1980, #1,575 in 2000, #1,426 in 2010, and #1,294 in 2025. Of the 7,792 US girls named Nelly since records began, 20% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,335 babies. Since 2010, 2,203 more have been named Nelly.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ariyana, Yarely, Kirra, Cianna, and Ananya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nelly ranked highest in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #768 | 6 |
| Kentucky | #836 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #959 | 5 |
| Arizona | #1002 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #1037 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Nelly over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Nelly is usually pronounced NEH-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Nellie and Nelli.
Middle names for Nelly
A few middle names that flow with Nelly: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nelly
Similar names
Ally Girl
A-lee
“pet form of Alison or Alexandra” · English
#2,118
Molly Girl
MAH-lee
“diminutive of Mary” · English
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Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
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Tilly Girl
TIH-lee
“strength in battle” · English
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Dolly Girl
DAH-lee
“pet form of Dorothy, "gift of God"” · English
#1,781
Polly Girl
PAH-lee
“pet form of Mary via Molly” · English
#2,318
Carly Girl
KAHR-lee
“free man” · English
#1,009
Ashly Girl
ASH-lee
“ash tree clearing” · American (modern coinage)
#1,273
Aly Unisex
AL-ee
“short form of Alyson or Alexandra” · English
#3,716
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#18
Blakely Girl
BLAYK-lee
“dark clearing” · English
#191
Holly Girl
HAH-lee
“the holly tree” · English
#416
Lists that include Nelly
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nelly mean?
Nelly is an English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen”.
What is the origin of the name Nelly?
Nelly has English roots. Nelly is a pet form of Eleanor, Helen or Ellen, and it has long been used as an independent name.
Is Nelly a popular name?
Not especially. Nelly ranked #1,294 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nelly a boy or girl name?
Nelly is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Nelly over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Nelly?
Nelly is usually pronounced NEH-lee. 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