Nelly

Nelly originated as a medieval English pet form of Ellen or Eleanor, both of which trace back ultimately to the Greek Helene, associated with the word for torch or, in some interpretations, with the name of the mythological Helen of Troy. The name enjoyed widespread use throughout the English-speaking world and became culturally embedded through figures such as the Australian soprano Nellie Melba, born Helen Mitchell, who took her stage name from her hometown of Melbourne. It functions as an independent given name in English, Swedish, French, and German contexts. Related forms include Nellie, Ellen, Eleanor, and Helena.