The first name Nell

In 2025, 128 girls born in the United States were named Nell, the 1,628th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1917, when 766 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Nell Carter
  American actress and singer (1948–2003)
• Nell Tiger Free
  English actress, born 1999
• Nell Fisher
  English and New Zealand actress (born 2011)
• Nellie McKay
  American musician, born 1982
• Nell Hall Hopman
  Australian female tennis player (1909–1968)
• Nell Shipman
  Actress, screenwriter, producer, animal trainer (1892–1970)
• Nell Brinkley
  American illustrator (1886–1944)
• Patricia Nell Warren
  American writer (1936-2019)
• Nell Irvin Painter
  American historian, born 1942
• Nell Campbell
  Australian actor and singer, born 1953
• Nell Franzen
  Actress (1889-1973)
• Nell Williams
  British actress, born 1998

How popular is the name Nell?

In 2025, 100 girls born in England and Wales were named Nell, ranking 408th. Its peak was 2022, with 173 births.

Is Nell a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 27,710 US babies named Nell since 1880 were girls.

When was Nell most popular?

1917 in the United States, when 766 babies were named Nell, its highest rank at 221st.

What are other spellings of Nell?

Nel.

Is Nell also a surname?

Yes. Nell is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.