A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Nell since 1880
Babies named Nell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nell's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,345 |
| 1890s | 2,138 |
| 1900s | 2,436 |
| 1910s | 5,613 |
| 1920s | 6,034 |
| 1930s | 3,984 |
| 1940s | 2,074 |
| 1950s | 1,122 |
| 1960s | 462 |
| 1970s | 340 |
| 1980s | 271 |
| 1990s | 259 |
| 2000s | 259 |
| 2010s | 579 |
| 2020s | 696 |
Meaning & origin
Nell is a name with a gentle, old-fashioned charm that has been in use since at least 1880, when it first appeared in U.S. records. It reached its peak popularity in 1886, ranking among the top names of that era. After a long decline, Nell has been rising in use again since 1994, reflecting a revival of Victorian-era names. Today, it is given to about 1 in every 12,557 girls, making it a distinctive choice. The name is most popular in states like Colorado, Massachusetts, and Illinois, where parents often favor classic, understated names.
Nell originated as a medieval English diminutive of the names Ellen and Helen, which derive from the Greek Helene, meaning 'light' or 'torch'. It was commonly used as a standalone name by the 19th century, often in the form of a pet name for Eleanor. The name saw widespread use in the English-speaking world during the Victorian era.
Where Nell is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nell” around the world
Where Nell lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
40
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Nell
Names that share Nell's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ada, Clara, Edith, Mabel, May, Rita, Lin, Yitty, Flo, Ame, Deette, Imo, Janney, Maree, Mell, Trilby, Ura, Acy, Detta, Linn, Okie, Oza, Airlie, Ezma, Foye, Mliss
Brothers: Fred, Harry, Tom, Will, Arthur, Dell, Edd, Judd, Kip, Kit, Wylie, Clem, Lem, Lew, Loy, Prentis, Sim, Vann, Webb, Chee, Cline, Jud, Lafe, Lenn, Loney, Loye, Lum, Oree, Reeve, Tobe, Wash, Zell, Birl, Birt, Burk, Carr, Coe, Dez, Doyl, Ebb, Ersel, Esco, Huber, Jep, Kel, Less, Loc, Mal, Saw, Tan, Tel, Winn, Wirt, Burel, Add, Boykin, Dare, Dink, Dover, El, Ell, Huie, Kitt, Leng, Lister, Lott, Mung, Rawson, Tip, Ulus, Witt
