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Nelly

Girl name · 38 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nelly: 38 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 8 births in 2021.

Nelly began as a pet form of Eleanor or Helen, both with Greek roots—Helen from *helē* meaning "torch" or "moon," and Eleanor possibly from the Provençal *alénor* (the other Aenor). The name gained standalone popularity in the 19th century, thanks in part to the beloved Scottish singer and music-hall star Sir Harry Lauder's frequent collaborator, Nelly Power, though perhaps its most famous bearer is the American poet Nelly Sachs, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966. There is also the American singer Nelly Furtado, though her stage name comes from her own first name. The name shares its root with the Greek mythological figure Helen of Troy, whose name inspired countless places including Helenopolis. In Scotland, Nelly has a cozy, vintage charm, often associated with the gentle, affectionate nickname of a grandmother figure.