Nelly: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: n-ehlly
Origin: Greece
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 1 min read
Region Origin: Southern Europe
Meaning: Light

Nelly is a feminine name with Latin, and Greek origins. It means "light" or "shining light, " derived from names like Ellen, and Helen. Originally a diminutive form of Nelly has stood on its own for over a century, offering a fresh twist on traditional names. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, but it remains a charming and timeless choice. Nelly is currently not ranked in the top 1000 names on The Bump, indicating a steady but not extremely high level of popularity. Historically, it was more popular in the late 19th century, particularly as Nellie.

Nelly Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Nelly is currently #2310 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Nelly is currently #1276 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Nelly is currently #1189 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Nelly is currently #659 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births, Social Security Administration

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