Nellie
Nellie: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Nellie
- A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, and Chanel; popular as a formal given name at the turn of the 20th century.
- A diminutive of the female given name Chanel.
- A diminutive of the male given name Nelson.
Etymology
Suffixed with -ie, compare Noll and Neddie, respectively from Oliver and Edward.
How popular is Nellie?
Since 1880, 152,691 girls and 593 boys in the U.S. have been named Nellie (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #14 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #475 in 1893. In 2025 it ranked #533 for girls, with 567 babies given the name.
Names similar to Nellie
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Nellie
Names that peaked around the same time as Nellie and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Nellie FAQ
What does the name Nellie mean?
A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, and Chanel; popular as a formal given name at the turn of the 20th century. A diminutive of the female given name Chanel. A diminutive of the male given name Nelson. Suffixed with -ie, compare Noll and Neddie, respectively from Oliver and Edward.
How popular is the name Nellie?
Since 1880, 152,691 girls and 593 boys in the U.S. have been named Nellie (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #14 in 1881. Its highest rank for boys was #475 in 1893. In 2025 it ranked #533 for girls, with 567 babies given the name.
Is Nellie a boy or girl name?
Nellie is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 152,691 girls and 593 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.