Nelle

Nelle is an English name that originated as a short form of Eleanor or Ellen, both of which trace back through Old French to a Germanic root meaning bright or shining light, or alternatively to the Greek Helene, associated with brightness or the Greek word for torch. The name gained independent use as a given name in the English-speaking world during the nineteenth century, partly popularized by the Australian soprano Nellie Melba, born Helen Mitchell, who took her stage name from her hometown of Melbourne. Nell and Nellie are closely related forms sharing the same origin.