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Nell

“Variant of Eleanor — The other Aenor (from Latin alia); root sense riches and fame” — Old Provencal/Latin, ultimately Germanic; Arabic light also suggested origin

Girl's name · #1622 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Nell has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #144 (1886) · 27,612 babies named Nell all-time · 1 in 13,000 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 530 girls in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 1,000 girls in Belgium (2025) · about 1 in 1,500 girls in N. Ireland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 12 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Nells

Nell Gwyn — Royal mistress (1650-1687)
Nell Carter — American actress and singer (1948–2003)
Nell Tiger Free — English actress
Nell Fisher — British-New Zealand actress
Nell Hudson — British actress

In stories & tradition

Nell Mangel — Neighbours
Nell Trent — The Old Curiosity Shop · Mister Quilp
Nell — The Child of the Cavern

What Nells become

Among 142 notable people named Nell:

Entertainers appear 2.36× more often than among typical names — e.g. Nell Tiger Free, English actress.

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.