Nellie Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Nellie Name Meaning

Fact: You should be careful when giving your daughter the name Nellie, as it’s also a slang for denoting a gay man.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Nellie Overview

Meaning

Horn, sun ray, shining light

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Etymology

Over time, it evolved as a diminutive form of Helen or Eleanor, both of which share the meaning of light or shining.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈnɛli/

Popularity

Nellie is cherished in various countries, especially in the USA and the UK, for its vintage charm. In the USA, it ranked #611 for girls in 2023.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

6 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Vintage, Short, Cool

Associated Traits

Charming, nostalgic, graceful, friendly

Name Day

July 21 (Sweden)​, January 2nd
A Deep Dive

Nellie Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, Nell, Nella, Cornelia, Elinor, Nelle, Nelly, Daniela

Common Nicknames

Nell, Elle, Ellie, Nella, Nel, Nells, Nelie, Ella, Nini

Diminutives

Nelly, Nell, Nelle, Nelli, Nelie, Neli, Nela, Nillie, Nel, Ellie

Famous People

  • Nellie Bly
    (American Journalist)
  • Nellie McClung
    (Canadian Activist)
  • Nellie Melba
    (Australian Opera Singer)
  • Nellie Tayloe Ross
    (American Politician)
  • Nellie Kim
    (Soviet Gymnast)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Nellie the Elephant"
    (Song)
  • Nellie Oleson
    ("Little House on the Prairie," TV Series)
  • Nellie Lovett
    ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," Musical)

Places

  • Nellie Village
    (Ohio, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Nellie?

Nellie means “horn,” “sun ray,” or “shining light.” This name carries a sense of brightness and positivity, often reflecting a cheerful and radiant personality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Nellie?

Nellie originates from the Latin name “Cornelia,” meaning “horn.”

Nellie Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Nellie in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#7432021#6632022#6112023
Top 3 Rankings#141881#161885#171883

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Nellie

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023611
(+52 from 2022)
485
(+40 from 2022)
0.02773
2022663
(+80 from 2021)
445
(+62 from 2021)
0.02482
2021743
(+96 from 2020)
383
(+58 from 2020)
0.02138
2020839
(+22 from 2019)
325
(+14 from 2019)
0.01839
2019861
(+203 from 2018)
311
(+72 from 2018)
0.01695
20181064
(+159 from 2017)
239
(+43 from 2017)
0.01285
20171223
(-6 from 2016)
196
(-6 from 2016)
0.01037
20161217
(+22 from 2015)
202
(+5 from 2015)
0.01043
20151239
(+61 from 2014)
197
(+14 from 2014)
0.01010
20141300
(+130 from 2013)
183
(+25 from 2013)
0.00935
20131430
(+136 from 2012)
158
(+19 from 2012)
0.00820
20121566
(+192 from 2011)
139
(+23 from 2011)
0.00717
20111758
(-7 from 2010)
116
(-2 from 2010)
0.00599
20101751
(-9 from 2009)
118
(-7 from 2009)
0.00602
20091742
(+138 from 2008)
125
(+12 from 2008)
0.00617
20081880
(-88 from 2007)
113
(-6 from 2007)
0.00543
20071792
(+211 from 2006)
119
(+20 from 2006)
0.00562
20062003
(+177 from 2005)
99
(+15 from 2005)
0.00474
20052180
(-255 from 2004)
84
(-13 from 2004)
0.00414
20041925
(+106 from 2003)
97
(+9 from 2003)
0.00481
20032031
(-134 from 2002)
88
(-5 from 2002)
0.00439
20021897
(+98 from 2001)
93
(+8 from 2001)
0.00471
20011995
(+282 from 2000)
85
(+17 from 2000)
0.00429
20002277
(-420 from 1999)
68
(-17 from 1999)
0.00341
19991857
(-56 from 1998)
85
(-1 from 1998)
0.00437
19981801
(+113 from 1997)
86
(+10 from 1997)
0.00444
19971914
(-16 from 1996)
76
No change from 1996
0.00398
19961898
(-214 from 1995)
76
(-11 from 1995)
0.00396
19951684
(+205 from 1994)
87
(+12 from 1994)
0.00453
19941889
(+77 from 1993)
75
(+4 from 1993)
0.00385
19931966
(-192 from 1992)
71
(-11 from 1992)
0.00360
19921774
(-7 from 1991)
82
(+1 from 1991)
0.00409
19911767
(-420 from 1990)
81
(-37 from 1990)
0.00398
19901347
(+132 from 1989)
118
(+20 from 1989)
0.00574
19891479
(-52 from 1988)
98
(+1 from 1988)
0.00492
19881427
(+251 from 1987)
97
(+25 from 1987)
0.00504
19871678
(-327 from 1986)
72
(-24 from 1986)
0.00384
19861351
(-82 from 1985)
96
(-10 from 1985)
0.00520
19851269
(-99 from 1984)
106
(-8 from 1984)
0.00574
19841170
(-99 from 1983)
114
(-15 from 1983)
0.00632
19831071
(+36 from 1982)
129
(+2 from 1982)
0.00721
19821107
(-52 from 1981)
127
(-8 from 1981)
0.00700
19811055
(-21 from 1980)
135
(-3 from 1980)
0.00755
19801034
(-84 from 1979)
138
(-16 from 1979)
0.00775
1979950
(+19 from 1978)
154
(+11 from 1978)
0.00894
1978969
(+35 from 1977)
143
(+9 from 1977)
0.00870
19771004
(-33 from 1976)
134
(+3 from 1976)
0.00815
1976971
(-92 from 1975)
131
(-20 from 1975)
0.00833
1975879
(-37 from 1974)
151
(-5 from 1974)
0.00967
1974842
(+68 from 1973)
156
(+20 from 1973)
0.00996
1973910
(-55 from 1972)
136
(-15 from 1972)
0.00875
1972855
(-19 from 1971)
151
(-13 from 1971)
0.00936
1971836
(+12 from 1970)
164
(+5 from 1970)
0.00936
1970848
(+10 from 1969)
159
(+12 from 1969)
0.00868
1969858
(-80 from 1968)
147
(-18 from 1968)
0.00834
1968778
(-83 from 1967)
165
(-32 from 1967)
0.00965
1967695
(-33 from 1966)
197
(-16 from 1966)
0.01147
1966662
(+29 from 1965)
213
(+11 from 1965)
0.01213
1965691
(-66 from 1964)
202
(-60 from 1964)
0.01105
1964625
(+3 from 1963)
262
(+3 from 1963)
0.01339
1963628
(-13 from 1962)
259
(-7 from 1962)
0.01303
1962615
(-80 from 1961)
266
(-69 from 1961)
0.01312
1961535
(-28 from 1960)
335
(-28 from 1960)
0.01613
1960507
(-9 from 1959)
363
(-22 from 1959)
0.01745
1959498
(-8 from 1958)
385
(+4 from 1958)
0.01852
1958490
(-35 from 1957)
381
(-52 from 1957)
0.01844
1957455
(-45 from 1956)
433
(-54 from 1956)
0.02064
1956410
(-24 from 1955)
487
(-34 from 1955)
0.02365
1955386
(-14 from 1954)
521
(-29 from 1954)
0.02599
1954372
(-36 from 1953)
550
(-56 from 1953)
0.02763
1953336
(-15 from 1952)
606
(-31 from 1952)
0.03141
1952321
(+1 from 1951)
637
(+33 from 1951)
0.03349
1951322
(-39 from 1950)
604
(-153 from 1950)
0.03270
1950283
(-2 from 1949)
757
(+14 from 1949)
0.04305
1949281
(-31 from 1948)
743
(-148 from 1948)
0.04232
1948250
No change from 1947
891
(+15 from 1947)
0.05113
1947250
(-10 from 1946)
876
(-9 from 1946)
0.04819
1946240
(-30 from 1945)
885
(-47 from 1945)
0.05487
1945210
(-11 from 1944)
932
(-79 from 1944)
0.06924
1944199
(-2 from 1943)
1011
(-68 from 1943)
0.07398
1943197
(-14 from 1942)
1079
(-127 from 1942)
0.07517
1942183
(-16 from 1941)
1206
(-78 from 1941)
0.08673
1941167
(-6 from 1940)
1284
(-16 from 1940)
0.10305
1940161
(-4 from 1939)
1300
(-73 from 1939)
0.11004
1939157
(-5 from 1938)
1373
(-81 from 1938)
0.12107
1938152
(-12 from 1937)
1454
(-136 from 1937)
0.12738
1937140
(-5 from 1936)
1590
(-75 from 1936)
0.14430
1936135
(-4 from 1935)
1665
(-73 from 1935)
0.15452
1935131
(-5 from 1934)
1738
(-99 from 1934)
0.15992
1934126
(-6 from 1933)
1837
(-30 from 1933)
0.16972
1933120
(+3 from 1932)
1867
(-112 from 1932)
0.17848
1932123
(-4 from 1931)
1979
(-8 from 1931)
0.17889
1931119
(-6 from 1930)
1987
(-226 from 1930)
0.18003
1930113
No change from 1929
2213
(+15 from 1929)
0.18972
1929113
(-2 from 1928)
2198
(-148 from 1928)
0.18988
1928111
(-6 from 1927)
2346
(-332 from 1927)
0.19623
1927105
(-3 from 1926)
2678
(-44 from 1926)
0.21659
1926102
(-4 from 1925)
2722
(-215 from 1925)
0.22127
192598
(-6 from 1924)
2937
(-138 from 1924)
0.23253
192492
(-4 from 1923)
3075
(-109 from 1923)
0.23733
192388
(-5 from 1922)
3184
(-90 from 1922)
0.25422
192283
(-3 from 1921)
3274
(-239 from 1921)
0.26243
192180
(-4 from 1920)
3513
(-249 from 1920)
0.27451
192076
(-7 from 1919)
3762
(+36 from 1919)
0.30240
191969
(-4 from 1918)
3726
(-322 from 1918)
0.31720
191865
(-1 from 1917)
4048
(+240 from 1917)
0.33667
191764
(-3 from 1916)
3808
(-54 from 1916)
0.33888
191661
(+2 from 1915)
3862
(+183 from 1915)
0.35571
191563
(-2 from 1914)
3679
(+727 from 1914)
0.35933
191461
(-3 from 1913)
2952
(+307 from 1913)
0.37056
191358
(+1 from 1912)
2645
(+280 from 1912)
0.40387
191259
(-5 from 1911)
2365
(+499 from 1911)
0.40309
191154
(-3 from 1910)
1866
(-62 from 1910)
0.42235
191051
No change from 1909
1928
(+160 from 1909)
0.45957
190951
(-2 from 1908)
1768
(+11 from 1908)
0.48031
190849
(+1 from 1907)
1757
(+86 from 1907)
0.49559
190750
(-1 from 1906)
1671
(+75 from 1906)
0.49521
190649
(-1 from 1905)
1596
(-30 from 1905)
0.50920
190548
(-4 from 1904)
1626
(+66 from 1904)
0.52475
190444
(+1 from 1903)
1560
(+69 from 1903)
0.53345
190345
(-4 from 1902)
1491
(-75 from 1902)
0.53595
190241
No change from 1901
1566
(+112 from 1901)
0.55863
190141
(+2 from 1900)
1454
(-396 from 1900)
0.57193
190043
(-2 from 1899)
1850
(+340 from 1899)
0.58224
189941
(-5 from 1898)
1510
(-300 from 1898)
0.61013
189836
(+1 from 1897)
1810
(+117 from 1897)
0.66023
189737
(-3 from 1896)
1693
(-3 from 1896)
0.68191
189634
(-5 from 1895)
1696
(-137 from 1895)
0.67303
189529
(+1 from 1894)
1833
(+66 from 1894)
0.74179
189430
(-3 from 1893)
1767
(-3 from 1893)
0.74882
189327
(+3 from 1892)
1770
(+32 from 1892)
0.78586
189230
(-5 from 1891)
1738
(+91 from 1891)
0.77274
189125
(-5 from 1890)
1647
(-174 from 1890)
0.83789
189020
(-1 from 1889)
1821
(+69 from 1889)
0.90299
188919
(+2 from 1888)
1752
(+16 from 1888)
0.92592
188821
(-2 from 1887)
1736
(+279 from 1887)
0.91636
188719
(-2 from 1886)
1457
(-35 from 1886)
0.93744
188617
(-1 from 1885)
1492
(+60 from 1885)
0.97051
188516
(+1 from 1884)
1432
(+15 from 1884)
1.00883
188417
No change from 1883
1417
(+171 from 1883)
1.02991
188317
(+2 from 1882)
1246
(+108 from 1882)
1.03781
188219
(-5 from 1881)
1138
(+42 from 1881)
0.98363
188114
(+4 from 1880)
1096
(+101 from 1880)
1.10869
188018
First SSA data recorded
995
First SSA data recorded
1.01941

American States Popularity Rankings for Nellie

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7952021#6382022#4692023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#14452021#7392022#5772023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6412021#3212022#6812023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#8142021#8252022#4942023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#9682021#12962022#10822023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#10312021#5922022#5342023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#9612021#5582022#7462023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3782020#4952021#4652023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#16172021#11642022#9862023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#9112021#8742022#12742023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4092021#4982022#4492023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3912017#3152020#3472023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#7162014#8582019#4572022

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3892021#4342022#4322023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4681968#6232022#5142023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6852021#10242022#6332023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6342018#4742019#4112022

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4642020#6802021#6022022

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#8461984#9642016#5492023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5362021#3792022#3362023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#12482021#10412022#8432023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#6462021#5212022#3842023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#8122020#8392022#7122023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4782021#2822022#5522023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#10182021#7532022#7312023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#10402020#8852021#6542023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3352021#2212022#3382023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#13322021#13622022#7232023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3911960#3281962#3851977

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#6182021#6162022#4692023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3251950#5942011#6152021

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5452021#6742022#6672023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3082021#1782022#2062023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3942021#4972022#4072023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5012021#5032022#2802023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3192021#2372022#3672023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1561944#1691946#2412021

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#7202021#7062022#6882023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2151948#1912021#2272023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2172020#3542021#3142023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2101934#1261935#2252022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1941928#1981931#2171934

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1571934#2351941#2321948

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#581932#671933#1361947

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1371929#1371938#1481942

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1331925#1181926#1261930

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1601921#1121922#1971924

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1971941#2921954#3221956

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1031922#641924#801925

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1711960#1811962#2021988

Popularity Rankings for Nellie in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#582021#652022#752023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1142019#1202020#1012021

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1952021#3022022#1652023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2662021#2432022#2642023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2762020#2512021#3082022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2742021#3802022#3042023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4642021#2842022#3392023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3442021#3772022#3882023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5002016#3832017#5742018

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#11582020#7792021#7752022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Nellie a Name for Boys or Girls?

Historically, Nellie has been used as a feminine name, often as a nickname for Eleanor or Helen. Its gentle and friendly tone makes it a popular choice for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Nellie

Nellie in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Nellie Bly (Journalist, 1864–1922): An American journalist famous for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days.
  • Nellie McClung (Activist, 1873–1951): A Canadian author and suffragette who played a significant role in the women's rights movement.
  • Nellie Melba (Opera Singer, 1861–1931): An Australian soprano whose name became synonymous with exceptional vocal talent.
  • Nellie Tayloe Ross (Politician, 1876–1977): The first woman to serve as governor of a U.S. state, Wyoming.
  • Nellie Kim (Gymnast, 1957): A Soviet gymnast who won multiple gold medals in the Olympics.
  • Nellie Oleson ("Little House on the Prairie," 1974 TV Series): A spoiled antagonist in the "Little House" series, known for her troublesome behavior.
  • "Nellie the Elephant" (1956 Song): A popular children's song about an elephant named Nellie who packs her trunk and says goodbye to the circus.
  • Nellie Lovett ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," 1979 Musical): A pie shop owner who partners with Sweeney Todd in his murderous schemes.
  • Nellie Village (Ohio, USA): A village in Ohio, characterized by its historical significance and tight-knit community atmosphere.

Similar Names to Nellie

Sibling Names for Nellie