Baby Name Popularity Profile

Nellie

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Nellie.

✦ Light or shining one 🌍 Greek, English, French traditional
National Rank (2025) #533
All-Time Peak Rank #14 Achieved 1881
Total U.S. Births 152,691 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 0.0% Boy / 100.0% Girl Female Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 1910s 4,048 births in 1918
💡 The Nellie Vibe: Considered a Vintage Revival. A classic name from early generations that is currently experiencing a measurable statistical resurgence.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Light or shining one
Language Origin Greek, English, French
Origin Type multiple
A diminutive of names such as Helen, Eleanor, and Ellen. Helen is derived from Greek 'helene' meaning 'torch' or 'bright, shining one'. Eleanor is an Old French form of the Old German name Alienor, possibly meaning 'other Aenor' or related to the Greek 'Helios' (sun).
Common Nicknames
Nell
Alternative Spellings
Nelly
Pronunciation: NEL-ee
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Nellie

According to SSA data, Nellie achieved its highest historical rank of #14 in 1881. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1918 with 4,048 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 187.8%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Nellie across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Fast Rising
10-Year Shift +187.8% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 4,048 births in 1918
Years in Top 100 46 yrs
Years in Top 500 80 yrs
Registry Streak 146 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 13,761
1890s: 17,285
1900s: 16,339
1910s: 30,879
1920s: 29,689
1930s: 17,703
1940s: 10,207
1950s: 5,360
1960s: 2,409
1970s: 1,479
1980s: 1,112
1990s: 838
2000s: 971
2010s: 1,859
2020s: 2,800

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Nel-lie
Letter Count 6 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 25.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with N, a letter used by only 3.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Nellie.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State West Virginia
Top States West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi
States with Data 50
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
West Virginia Unranked 3,482 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #696 5,913 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #269 4,542 1918 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #368 7,122 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi #331 3,082 1915 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #883 3,386 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #359 4,629 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #739 6,032 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 2,324 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #648 4,696 1916 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 926 1932 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma #473 2,252 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #413 3,149 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 1,335 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 166 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #581 2,203 1921 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 341 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #564 1,347 1925 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #347 5,547 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Maine #198 424 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #457 699 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #193 1,237 1916 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota #268 312 1914 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #417 1,345 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #290 2,043 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho #394 328 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #368 3,726 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 135 1914 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut #603 814 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #485 858 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #1147 5,172 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #563 3,110 1915 28.0% Decline
Massachusetts #558 1,480 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #1308 2,020 1920 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #327 460 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #478 1,967 1916 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota #236 177 1916 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 163 1914 Insufficient historical volume
New York #821 3,751 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #474 762 1916 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon Unranked 414 1918 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #607 1,180 1917 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 83 1914 Insufficient historical volume
California #933 3,866 1926 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 167 1914 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #228 630 1918 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 46 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #384 657 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 99 1927 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 100 1919 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Frank Walter Julius Wilson Booker Sidney Lester Sylvan Morris Irving
👧 Sister Suggestions
Lottie Goldie Helen Edith Della Estelle Alma Cecelia Mae Esther

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