Nelly
Girl name · #1292 in 2025 · Uniqueness 38/100
In 2025, 173 baby girls were named Nelly, placing it at #1292 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1719, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 10,405 girls born in 2025 was named Nelly.
The 143-year story
Nelly first appears in the Social Security records in 1882, when 10 girls received the name. Its peak came in 2007, when 208 girls were named Nelly — good for #1205 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Nelly per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Nelly against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Nelly in class?
Nelly scores 38 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Nelly is most common
Geography matters for names, and Nelly is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Nellys were CA (23), TX (16), NY (11), NC (9), FL (8). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Nelly
Statistically, parents drawn to Nelly tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Elly, Nathaly, Nataly, Milly, and Emilly.
EllyNathalyNatalyMillyEmillyArelyLibbyAracely
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Nelly | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 173 | #1291 |
| 2024 | 168 | #1358 |
| 2023 | 142 | #1514 |
| 2022 | 158 | #1422 |
| 2021 | 135 | #1554 |
| 2020 | 92 | #2023 |
| 2019 | 146 | #1495 |
| 2018 | 99 | #1978 |
| 2017 | 128 | #1677 |
| 2016 | 104 | #1929 |
| 2015 | 122 | #1719 |
| 2014 | 139 | #1562 |
| 2013 | 130 | #1642 |
| 2012 | 159 | #1432 |
| 2011 | 147 | #1509 |
| 2010 | 161 | #1420 |
| 2009 | 194 | #1258 |
| 2008 | 195 | #1274 |
| 2007 | 208 | #1205 |
| 2006 | 158 | #1428 |
| 2005 | 150 | #1425 |
| 2004 | 156 | #1353 |
| 2003 | 159 | #1305 |
| 2002 | 144 | #1345 |
| 2001 | 119 | #1560 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Nelly a popular girl name?
Nelly ranked #1292 among girls in 2025 with 173 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1719.
When was the name Nelly most popular?
Nelly peaked in 2007, when 208 American girls received the name (ranked #1205 that year). Since 2007 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Nelly?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 10,405 newborn American girls was named Nelly. It scores 38/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.