Nellie

Nellie is an English pet form of the names Ellen and Helen, both of which trace back to the ancient Greek name Helene, whose root meaning is variously interpreted as torch, bright light, or possibly a reference to the moon. The name gained widespread popularity in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, partly through the fame of Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and American journalist Nellie Bly. It functioned for generations as an independent given name rather than merely a nickname, appearing across British, Irish, and American records. Related forms include Nell, Nella, and Nelly.