Nelli
A girls’ name of Greek origin, meaning shining light; diminutive of Helen.
Nelli by the numbers
In 2025, 4 babies in England and Wales were named Nelli. In the US, 11 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 19 babies in 2008, making it a 2000s name.
Other names that come from Helen
Like Nelli, 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)
- Aileenbright; shining; a form of Helen454 in the US (2017)
- Ellenbright, shining; form of Helen383 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nelli. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Nelliebright shining one; diminutive of Helen458 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellybright light; diminutive of Eleanor121 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellbright light; a diminutive of Helen100 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellabeautiful; a form of Nell or Nella45 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellebright light; diminutive of Helen or Eleanor18 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nellodark, black; a form of Antonello6 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Nelli
Names that are said the same way as Nelli, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean light
Like Nelli, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
Names about as common as Nelli
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