Nelly
Girl name · #1292 in 2025 · Rare
How old is the name Nelly? In official American birth records, Nelly has been tracked continuously since 1882, giving it 143 years of documented American history.
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. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Nelly against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Nelly in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Nelly is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Nelly will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Nelly is most common
Geography matters for names, and Nelly is no exception. Adjusted for how many girls are born in each state, Nelly is most common in CA (0.1 per 1,000), NY (0.1 per 1,000), TX (0.1 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.1 per 1,000 girls. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Nelly is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
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
How old is the name Nelly?
In official American birth records, the name Nelly first appeared in 1882 (over 143 years ago), when 10 newborn girls received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
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. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.