English

Alternative forms

• Nelly

Proper noun

Nellie

1. A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor and Helen. Popular as a formal given name at the turn of the 20th century.
   • 1860 Mary Jane Holmes: Cousin Maude. BiblioBazaar,LLC, 2007. ISBN 1434652122 page 14:

     "Then we will call her Matilda," said he, "as it is a maxim of mine never to spoil children by giving them pet names."

     "But you call your daughter Nellie," suggested the little widow, and in her soft, blue eye there shone a mischievous twinkle, as if she fancied she had beaten him in his own argument. - - -

     "That is sister Kelsey's idea, and as she is very fond of Nellie I do not interfere.

   • 2007 Rachel M. Harper: Brass Ankle Blues. Simon&Schuster 2007. ISBN 0743296583 page 88:

     "Eleanor, that's kind of an old lady name. I like Nellie better. Nellie Kincaid, that's got a nice ring to it. It sounds like you're a singer or something.

2. A male given name
3. A female given name

Swedish

Alternative forms

• Nelly

Etymology

From English Nellie. First recorded as a Swedish name (as Nelli) in 1793.

Proper noun

Nellie

1. A female given name.