Nellie

Nellie is an English pet form of the names Eleanor and Ellen (and occasionally Helen), all of which trace back ultimately to the Greek Helene, likely connected to the Greek word helene meaning torch or to Selene, the goddess of the moon, though the precise root remains debated. The name gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world during the nineteenth century. Australian soprano Nellie Melba, who took her stage name from her native Melbourne, is among the most celebrated bearers and helped fix the name in cultural memory. Related forms include Nell, Nelly, Eleanor, Ellen, and Helena.