Nellie began as a pet form of Eleanor, Helen and Ellen, so it carries their meanings: "bright, shining one" from Helen and the uncertain, often "light" reading of Eleanor. Journalist Nellie Bly, who raced around the world in 72 days in 1889, is its most famous American bearer. A favorite of the late 1800s, Nellie returned to the US top 1000 in 2019 after a long absence and ranks number 533 among girls' names in 2025.