Nelly
Nelly is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bright, shining one, or horn.
Origin and history
Nelly originated as an English diminutive for names such as Helen, Eleanor, or Cornelia. It has long been used as an independent given name in the United States, maintaining steady popularity over the decades. Today it offers a vintage, friendly appeal with classical root connections.
Popularity in the United States
7,792 babies in the United States have been named Nelly since 1880. It ranks #1895 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1287.
States where it is most popular
- CA (36.5 %)
- TX (22.8 %)
- NY (18.7 %)
- IL (7.6 %)
- FL (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 50 |
| 1890-1900 | 30 |
| 1900-1910 | 62 |
| 1910-1920 | 130 |
| 1920-1930 | 210 |
| 1930-1940 | 162 |
| 1940-1950 | 160 |
| 1950-1960 | 384 |
| 1960-1970 | 428 |
| 1970-1980 | 634 |
| 1980-1990 | 770 |
| 1990-2000 | 973 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,596 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,335 |
| 2020-2029 | 868 |
Famous people named Nelly
- Nelly Sachs: Poet, Playwright
- Nelly Furtado: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- Nelly developed historically as a pet form for names like Eleanor, Helen, and Cornelia.
- Nelly Dean is a central character and narrator in Emily Brontë's classic novel Wuthering Heights.