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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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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BitOfFun · 04/05/2010 23:36

Helen, IME.

zippy539 · 04/05/2010 23:37

It's Elisabeth isn't it? Or Have I got that completely wrong..?

zippy539 · 04/05/2010 23:38

Yes - completely wrong. Cornelia (Latin), Eleanor (Greek), Helen (Greek)

GrimmaTheNome · 04/05/2010 23:38

No, its def Helen - don't know why.

Most other 'historical' short names are either from Elizabeth or Margaret, but not Nell!

thesecondcoming · 04/05/2010 23:39

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bigstripeytiger · 04/05/2010 23:40

Eleanor

Linnet · 04/05/2010 23:40

Helen

noshouting · 04/05/2010 23:41

fenella

Greensleeves · 04/05/2010 23:42

Helen, Ellen, Petronella, Penelope, Fenella

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.

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:
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.

midnightexpress · 05/05/2010 09:46

The only Nell I know is short for Eleanor.

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.

Anifrangapani · 05/05/2010 09:48

Antonella

rasputin · 05/05/2010 09:50

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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.

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)

imahappycamper · 05/05/2010 09:59

Helen and Elaenor probably come from the same root.

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.

jessia · 05/05/2010 12:40

The Nell I know is Ellen too.

WoodenFish · 05/05/2010 12:44

I knew a Nell who was short for Vanella.

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!!

JackiePaper · 05/05/2010 12:50

I always thought it was short for Eleanor!

thumbwitch · 05/05/2010 12:53

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