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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Nelle — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Nella|Nellee
CelticGirl↓ Fading

Nelle

NEL · 1 syllables

Share Nelle:
Compare with another name
Girl
#5090
↓ Fading
#5090
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 14
Peak rank
#3890 in 2020
5yr change
-838 ranks
Birth frequency
7.2 per 1,000,000 births
Sex split
0% boy · 100% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #5090 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Celtic girl names
Nelle

Popularity score: 14  ·  SSA Rank: #5090

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
40
Higher than 40% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-838 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
11 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Nelle scores lower overall — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
CelticIrishGirl1-syllableVintageClassicDiminutiveRareRetro RevivalLiterary Connection
Character
quiet gracegentle strengthartistic spiritthoughtful natureunderstated elegance
STRONG
High confidence

Nelle is a Celtic girl name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #5090 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -838 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#5090 · very rare
Nelle at a Glance
Meaning:Diminutive of Ellen/Helen, ultimately from Greek 'helene' meaning bright or shining; may also relate to Irish traditions of light and radiance.
Language root:Irish Gaelic · Old Irish
Peak rank:#3890 in 2020
5yr change:-838 ranks
Sex usage:0% boy · 100% girl
Notable bearers
Nelle Harper Lee
Author of To Kill a Mockingbird
Similar Sound
NelNelly◈NellEllenHelenElena
Similar Style
MabelClaraOlive◈HazelRubyIvy
Works well with
Olive◈ClaraHazelIvyEmmaLilyVioletAda
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Mabel
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Olive◈
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Hazel
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→ Stable
Ruby
Latin · #63
→ Stable
Ivy
English · #36
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Nelle · Overview
Summary

Nelle is a Celtic girl name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #5090 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 0/100 → Stable

Strengths
Vintage · Classic · Whimsical character
Nelle carries a soft, warm, gentle quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 838 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
nelle.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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