Nelly
/ˈnɛli/noun
A feminine given name and nickname, originally a pet form of Eleanor, Helen, or other names beginning with N.
Did you know?Nelly is a classic pet form built by English speakers from longer names like Eleanor and Helen, showing how names can be reshaped by affection rather than by a single ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
Nelle
“A pet form used for women’s names beginning with N or for names like Eleanor and Helen.”
Early Modern English
English
Nelly
“A familiar diminutive nickname for a woman or girl.”
18th-19th Century
English
Nelly
“A common affectionate form of female given names in everyday use.”
Modern English
English
Nelly
“A feminine given name and nickname, sometimes used independently.”