Nell

Nell is an English pet form of Eleanor, Ellen, or Helen, all of which trace back ultimately to the Greek name Helene, possibly derived from a root meaning torch or bright one, or alternatively connected to the name of the Greek god Helios and thus meaning sun. The practice of forming such diminutives by adding an N- prefix arose in medieval England, likely from affectionate phrases like mine Eleanor being reanalyzed as my Nell. The name gained wide cultural recognition through characters such as Little Nell in Charles Dickens's novel The Old Curiosity Shop. Related forms include Nellie, Nelly, and Nella.