Nell
Nell is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Shining light or bright one.
Origin and history
Nell originated as a medieval English nickname derived from phrases like 'mine Eleanor' or 'mine Ellen'. Historically popular as an independent name, it fell out of common use in the late 20th century but has seen a modest revival in recent years. It is appreciated today for its vintage charm and simple, single-syllable sound.
Popularity in the United States
27,612 babies in the United States have been named Nell since 1880. It ranks #878 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1419.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12.1 %)
- AL (10.9 %)
- NC (10.1 %)
- TN (9.4 %)
- GA (9.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,345 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,138 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,436 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,613 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,034 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,984 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,074 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,122 |
| 1960-1970 | 462 |
| 1970-1980 | 340 |
| 1980-1990 | 271 |
| 1990-2000 | 259 |
| 2000-2010 | 259 |
| 2010-2019 | 579 |
| 2020-2029 | 696 |
Famous people named Nell
- Nell Carter: Actress, Singer
- Nell Gwynn: Actress
- Nell Freudenberger: Author, Novelist
Fun facts
- Nell arose from medieval English misdivision of phrases like 'mine El', turning 'mine Eleanor' into 'my Nell'.
- Charles Dickens featured the beloved character Little Nell in his 1841 novel The Old Curiosity Shop.