Nell
A girls’ name of Greek origin, meaning bright light; a diminutive of Helen.
Nell by the numbers
In 2025, 100 babies in England and Wales were named Nell. In the US, 86 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 766 babies in 1917, so it is a 1910s name that has since fallen a long way.
Other names that come from Helen
Like Nell, 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 Nell. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Nellybright light; diminutive of Eleanor121 in England and Wales (2025)
- Neelblue, sapphire115 in the US (2017)
- Nellabeautiful; a form of Nell or Nella45 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nelabright light; a diminutive form of Helen45 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellebright light; diminutive of Helen or Eleanor18 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellishining light; diminutive of Helen4 in England and Wales (2025)
Sounds like Nell
Names that are said the same way as Nell, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Nel39 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean light
Like Nell, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
Names about as common as Nell
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