Nelly \n(el)-ly\ as a girl's name is pronounced NEL-ee. It is of English origin. Short form of Helen, Eleanor (Greek) "light". Opera celebrity Nellie Melba.

Nelly has 9 variant forms: Nel, Nelida, Nell, Nella, Nellene, Nellie, Nellwen, Nellwin and Nellwyn.

For more information, see also related names Nelsey and Cornelia.

Baby names that sound like Nelly are Neely, Nelli, Nelley and Nelle.