Nelly
A unisex name of Greek origin, meaning bright light; diminutive of Eleanor.
Nelly by the numbers
In 2025, 121 babies in England and Wales were named Nelly. In the US, 126 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 208 babies in 2007, making it a 2000s name.
Other names that come from Eleanor
Like Nelly, each of these traces back to Eleanor: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Elleshe; a form of Eleanor or Ellen828 in the US (2017)
- Eleanorabright light or sun ray; a form of Eleanor42 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elinorbright light; a form of Eleanor27 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ellybright one; a form of Eleanor144 in the US (2017)
- Eleanorebright light; a form of Eleanor99 in the US (2017)
- Ellisun; a diminutive of Helen or Eleanor74 in the US (2017)
- Leonoralight, torch; a form of Eleanor71 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elleeshining light; a respelling of Ellie or Eleanor68 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nelly. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Nelly
Names that are said the same way as Nelly, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean light
Like Nelly, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Lucasbringer of light; from Lucania12,963 in the US (2017)
- Lukefrom Lucania; light9,168 in the US (2017)
- Norahonour, light6,036 in the US (2017)
- Eleanorshining light5,519 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Ellieshining light; short for Eleanor5,000 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Nelly
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