Nell could be short for....

[FriggFRIGG]

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

Yes, I think the Elizabeth one is a bit tenuous really; there are probably half a dozen diminutives you would think of first: Beth, Betty, Betsy, Lizzy etc.

Penelope, Danielle, Ellen... I love Nell!

Ellen

Annabelle

Petronella....don't know if you want to name a baby that!

Just have Nell.

Janelle.

Annella.

But I like Nell. Short, sweet but also works for a grown woman.

I agree that it could be any name starting with stressed El- or Hel- of which my favourite is currently Helena (HELL-uh-nuh, not hell-AY-nuh).

Or Penelope at a push.

I think it's much prettier if you spell it Elinor rather than Eleanor.

Boo I could have been a Nell with my name. I love that name.

I love Nella. Fenella is also very pretty, and Penelope is awesome.

I think Helena is beautiful too, as is Helene (which I think I prefer pronounced he-LAY-nay, though he-LAYN and HE-luh-nay are pretty too).

How about:

Elaine
Elena
Eleni?

I had an Auntie Nellie and she was an Ellen really plus she was lovely.
HTH