Nelly is a name of French origin, derived from the word "neller," which means "little nut tree." The name was originally given to girls born under the sign of the Virgo zodiac constellation, as the nut tree is associated with this astrological sign. Nelly has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular in France during the 19th century. Today, Nelly is still widely recognized as a feminine given name, although it can also be used as a shortened form of the masculine name Napoleon. Despite its origins, Nelly does not have any specific associated traits or personality characteristics beyond those associated with the Virgo zodiac sign. Instead, people named Nelly are simply known by their unique and charming name.
The name Nelly experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The highest point was reached in 1917 with 24 births, followed by a decline and then a resurgence in the 1950s and 1960s, peaking at 77 births in 1974. However, since the late 1980s, there has been a consistent decrease in the popularity of this name, reaching an all-time low of 92 births in 2020. As of 2023, Nelly is not among the most popular names, with only 142 births recorded.