nellie

Proper noun capitalized: Nellie

Nellie

1. A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, and Chanel; popular as a formal given name at the turn of the 20th century.
   • "Then we will call her Matilda," said he, "as it is a maxim of mine never to spoil children by giving them pet names."
     "But you call your daughter Nellie," suggested the little widow, and in her soft, blue eye there shone a mischievous twinkle, as if she fancied she had beaten him in his own...1860, Mary Jane Holmes, Cousin Maude, BiblioBazaar,LLC, published 2007, →ISBN, page 14
   • "Eleanor, that's kind of an old lady name. I like Nellie better. Nellie Kincaid, that's got a nice ring to it. It sounds like you're a singer or something.2007, Rachel M. Harper, Brass Ankle Blues, Simon&Schuster, →ISBN, page 88
2. (rare) A diminutive of the female given name Chanel.
3. (rare) A diminutive of the male given name Nelson.