Holding steady, #1,291 for girls today.
Popularity of Nelly since 1882
Babies named Nelly per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 50 |
| 1890s | 30 |
| 1900s | 62 |
| 1910s | 130 |
| 1920s | 210 |
| 1930s | 162 |
| 1940s | 160 |
| 1950s | 384 |
| 1960s | 428 |
| 1970s | 634 |
| 1980s | 770 |
| 1990s | 973 |
| 2000s | 1,596 |
| 2010s | 1,335 |
| 2020s | 868 |
Meaning & origin
Nelly has been in steady use since at least 1882, but its recent trajectory is relatively stable after a peak in 2007. In 2025 it ranked 1,291st nationally, with a 1-in-9,291 frequency that places it in moderately rare territory. The name has been most popular in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Minnesota, reflecting a Midwestern and Southern tilt. As a diminutive of Eleanor and Helen, Nelly carries a vintage charm that feels neither trendy nor dated. Its current stable trajectory suggests it remains a recognizable but uncommon choice.
Nelly originated as a diminutive of various feminine names containing the element -nel- or -nell-, particularly Ellen, Helen, and Eleanor. By the 19th century it became an independent given name in English-speaking countries. Its popularity peaked in the early 2000s, partly influenced by the singer Nelly Furtado.
Where Nelly 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.
“Nelly” around the world
Where Nelly lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
21
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nel
Sibling names for Nelly
Names that share Nelly's style, for a brother or sister.
