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Nella

Girl name · 8 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nella: 8 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2022.

Nella began as a short form of names like Antonella or Fenella, though in Scotland it’s most often considered a diminutive of Helen, from the Greek Helene, meaning “torch” or “bright one.” The most famous bearer of a closely related name is the Roman empress Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. An unusual place connection is the Nella Selva forest in Sardinia, though the name itself has no direct place namesakes. Nella also appears as a standalone name in Scandinavian countries, where it carries the same gentle, luminous feel. A charming variant is Fenella, which has strong Scottish roots and a similar lyrical quality.