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Comments and insights on the name Nell

The name was originally an English pet form of "Helen", (meaning: light) and by extension, derivatives "Ellen", "Elinor", etc.

The nickname "Nell" derived from the medieval endearment "mine Helen/Ellen/Eleanor/Elinor", etc.

(In the same manner, the nickname "Ned" derived from "mine Edward/Edwin", etc.)

Personal experiences with the name Nell

I know a girl named Nell who is a competitive rock climber, artist, and sixth grader

Nicknames for Nell

Belly, Nell Bell
(they HATE being called Nellie)

Meanings and history of the name Nell

Famous real-life people named Nell

Nelly Furtado, Canadian singer of Portuguese descent.
Eleanor Roosevelt was called "Little Nell" by her father when she was a child.
Nell Gwynn, actress and mistress of King Charles II of England
Nell Carter, African-American actress and star of the 1980s TV series "Gimme a Break!"
"Little Nell", stage name of Laura Elizabeth Campbell, Australian actress who played Columbia (A Groupie) in the film version of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (she later opened a New York club called Nell's)
Nell, a South Korean rock band

Nell in song, story & screen

Dickens character, the poignant "Little Nell"
A 1994 movie starring Jodie Foster, playing the title role
The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer is a postcyberpunk novel by Neal Stephenson, focused on a young girl named Nell.
Nell Spivey Graylick from The Little House series