Nella

Nella is an Italian feminine name that originated as a short form of names ending in the element -nella, most commonly Antonella, Cornelia, or Francesca in its contracted regional forms. The suffix -ella is a diminutive in Italian, lending the name a sense of endearment or smallness. Nella has been used as an independent given name throughout Italy since at least the medieval period. Related forms include Nella's source names Antonella and Cornelia, as well as the similar diminutive Nellie found in English-speaking traditions.