Nela
A girls’ name of Greek origin, meaning bright light; a diminutive form of Helen.
Nela by the numbers
In 2025, 45 babies in England and Wales were named Nela. In the US, 9 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 20 babies in 2007, making it a 2000s name.
Other names that come from Helen
Like Nela, each of these traces back to Helen: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Elainabright light; a form of Helen1,137 in the US (2017)
- Lanabright or fair; a form of Helen or Alana185 in England and Wales (2025)
- Helenbright, shining light758 in the US (2017)
- Aleenabright, shining; a form of Helen or Alena150 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elainebright light; form of Helen506 in the US (2017)
- Alenabright, shining; form of Helen462 in the US (2017)
- Nelliebright shining one; diminutive of Helen458 in England and Wales (2025)
- Aileenbright; shining; a form of Helen454 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nela. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Nalasuccessful, graceful66 in England and Wales (2025)
- Niladark blue; indigo64 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellbright light; a diminutive of Helen100 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nevasnow; from Neva River94 in the US (2017)
- Nellabeautiful; a form of Nell or Nella45 in England and Wales (2025)
- Neelablue48 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Nela
Names that are said the same way as Nela, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean light
Like Nela, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
Names about as common as Nela
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