Rising since 1992, #5,099 for girls today.
Popularity of Nelli since 1977
Babies named Nelli per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 16 |
| 2000s | 106 |
| 2010s | 126 |
| 2020s | 127 |
Meaning & origin
Nelli is a feminine given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1977. After a period of low usage, it has been rising steadily since 1992 and reached its peak rank of 5,099 in 2025, when approximately 1 in 64,291 girls were named Nelli. The name is a diminutive form of longer names like Eleanor and Helen, giving it a classic yet fresh feel. Its upward trajectory suggests growing appeal among parents seeking vintage nicknames as given names.
Nelli is a diminutive form of names such as Eleanor, Helen, or Cornelia. Eleanor derives from the Provençal name Aliénor, of uncertain meaning, while Helen comes from Greek Helene, meaning 'torch' or 'light.' As an independent name, Nelli has been used since the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Nelli
Names that share Nelli's style, for a brother or sister.
