Nell

Nell is a girl's name of English origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 150 girls in the United States.

Nell at a glance

Gender
Girl name
Origin
English & American
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references

About the name Nell

Nell belongs to the English & American tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Nell first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #144 in 1886, and in 2024 150 babies received the name — 27,483 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Nell in US records

First recorded (US)
1880
Best US rank
#144 in 1886
Peak year
1917
Babies named Nell in 2024
150
Total since 1880
27,483

Nell in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Best rank
#263 in 2022
Babies named Nell in 2025
100
Total since 1996
3,183

Similar names

More names from the English & American shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nell mean?

The meaning of Nell is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its English origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Nell a boy or girl name?

Nell is a girl name. In 2024, 150 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Nell?

Nell comes from the English & American tradition.

How popular is the name Nell?

Nell first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #144 in 1886, and 150 babies were given the name in 2024.

This profile is built from the US Social Security Administration's public baby-names data — see the source. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check. If you spot an error, write to [email protected].