Nell could be short for....

[FriggFRIGG]

Any ideas?
I don't mind if the connection is a little tenuous...

[pooka]

Helen, Helena, Eleanor, Ellen.

[BOF]

Traditionally, it's Helen, but it could be Eleanor. I can't think of others off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are some.

[wheredoistartmrs]

Penelope

[Asinine]

Bloomin'Nell

[Asinine]

Sorry, not useful.

Prunella?

[pinkandsparklytoo]

I knew someone at school called Chanelle who was Nell/Nellie for short.

[Ham69]

Eleanor
Helen
Helena
Nelly
Fenella
Cornelia

I love Nell.

[UniqueAndAmazing]

Eleanor
Helen
Ellen

[UniqueAndAmazing]

ooh, yes i like Ham's ideas.

anything with -nell- inside.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

Elizabeth.

The connection is quite tenuous, but Nell is short for Eleanor/Helen based on 'mine Eleanor', so also works for 'mine Elizabeth' or any name starting with 'El' really.

[FriggFRIGG]

That's very interesting Outraged...

[UniqueAndAmazing]

You know, Outraged, I wanted to say Elizabeth too , but thought it was far too tenuous!

[FriggFRIGG]

Fenella is my favourite so far...

[BOF]

That is interesting. It makes me wonder though why there's no such name as Rell. In Liverpool, we all say "Our 'Elen" or "Our Elizabeth"

[FriggFRIGG]

And Nella...

[Iseeall]

Eleanora

[whomovedmychocolate]

Nutella (kidding)

Round here it's generally short for Fenella.

[BuntyPenfold]

Petronella

Noelle

Manuela

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

Quenelle

[lalalonglegs]

Antonella

[wigglesrock]

I always associate with Elizabeth too, never Helen

[thermalsinapril]

Eleanor and Helen emphasise the first syllable. Mine HEL-en, mine ELL-ea-nor.

With Elizabeth the emphasis is on the second syllable, so I don't think the "mine" thing works as you wouldn't say "mine ELL-izabeth".