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Original poster

Nell - what's it short for?

31 replies

KittyTwoShoes · 04/05/2010 23:34

Penelope or Helen or something else entirely? If I didn't know I'd guess Penelope, but I know a Helen who's a Nell, and now I'm confused. (Doesn't take much!)

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Original poster
KittyTwoShoes · 10/05/2010 19:36

Sorry all, been away! Just wanted to pop back and say thanks for the help, much appreciated

OP posts:
Angela82 · 07/05/2010 20:21

My nan was called Eleanora but was alway known as Nellie (or Nell).

cherrylips · 07/05/2010 19:01

Its short for Helena, Helen, Ellen and Eleanor. Lovely nn i think.

Hulababy · 06/05/2010 20:01

Helen generally, although can be used as a name in its out right too nowadays.

lelarose · 06/05/2010 19:58

Helen as far as i know but also knew a Danielle who got called Nell for short

Clary · 05/05/2010 12:58

Helen; Ellen; Eleanor

Sometimes it's a name on its own (I know one).

thumbwitch · 05/05/2010 12:53

Mostly Eleanor, can be used short for Ellen, Helen(a), Elaine even.

JackiePaper · 05/05/2010 12:50

I always thought it was short for Eleanor!

islandofsodor · 05/05/2010 12:47

Its Ellen with an E.

My grandmother was Nellie or Nell and all the Nellie's I know have been Ellen.

Dd on the other hand is a definate Ellen not a Nell!!

WoodenFish · 05/05/2010 12:44

I knew a Nell who was short for Vanella.

jessia · 05/05/2010 12:40

The Nell I know is Ellen too.

cory · 05/05/2010 12:37

Traditionally, it's short for Helen. But of course, for any individual child, it could be short for something else.

imahappycamper · 05/05/2010 09:59

Helen and Elaenor probably come from the same root.

woosam · 05/05/2010 09:56

Btw, it's lovely and the Nell I know is the only one.

For some reason though, I always thought it was short for Gwendolyn. (I know Gwen is but also thought Nell)

woosam · 05/05/2010 09:54

The Nell I know is Ellen. When I was growing up, our neighbour was Nellie. She too was Ellen.

rasputin · 05/05/2010 09:50

This reply has been deleted

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Anifrangapani · 05/05/2010 09:48

Antonella

SoMuchToBits · 05/05/2010 09:47

I think usually Helen/Helena or Ellen/Eleanor. Although in my family tree there are several Nelly/Nellies who just have that as their given name (similarly there are a couple of Annies and Jessies which don't seem to be short for anything.

midnightexpress · 05/05/2010 09:46

The only Nell I know is short for Eleanor.

imahappycamper · 05/05/2010 09:45

It's Helen and Nellie/Nell was often used as a dim. Knew quite a few old ladies with the name years ago who would all be well over 100 now if alive.

Original poster
KittyTwoShoes · 05/05/2010 08:51

Oh goodness, no consensus, then? Never mind - at least it's not just me! Thanks everyone

OP posts:
onebatmother · 04/05/2010 23:52

It's dd's middle name, was very nearly her first. I knew it was short for Eleanor (not wildly keen) but felt that much of its brilliance was in being 'for its own sake' iyswim. It's sort of independent and a bit arsey. I love it.

Greensleeves · 04/05/2010 23:42

Helen, Ellen, Petronella, Penelope, Fenella

noshouting · 04/05/2010 23:41

fenella

Linnet · 04/05/2010 23:40

Helen