Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, or Helen
Nell is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, a medieval diminutive of Eleanor, Ellen, or Helen, all ultimately meaning 'bright' or 'shining.' Nell stands entirely on its own — used independently for centuries in English-speaking countries, it requires no full form to justify its existence.
Nell has a wonderful literary pedigree: Dickens' Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop, Nell Gwyn the famous mistress of King Charles II. Short, warm, and with a slightly old-fashioned charm that feels completely fresh today. A name that's been great for centuries and shows no signs of stopping.