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Name Biscuit

Girl name

Nelly

Nelly ranks #287 out of 5,428 girl dog names in our data (the #1 girl dog name is Bella). Across all 14 places, 110 dogs carry the name. It's also a cat name: #754 for cats.
Nelly's popularity trend

Nelly's share of dogs, year by year — or toggle to its yearly rank. Peak year by share: 2018.

0.01%0.02%0.03%200720112015201920232025
Dogs in our data
110
across 14 places
Popularity rank
#287
of 5,428 girl dog names
5-year rank move
+100
2020 → 2025
Gender split
98% girls
98% girls2% boys
What does Nelly mean?
/nɛli/2 syllables

Nelly began as an affectionate pet form of names like Helen, Eleanor, and Ellen, names generally traced to the Greek Helene, often linked to a root meaning "torch" or "light," though scholars debate the exact origin.

It has an old-fashioned sweetness — a cozy, homey name for a pet who feels like a warm and familiar presence.

Etymology & pronunciation from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Where Nelly shows up

Nelly's share of each place's counted dogs. Places count differently — hover a Share figure for the basis. Click a heading to sort.

Basel-StadtSwitzerland0.0%
Port Adelaide EnfieldAustralia0.0%
Noosa ShireAustralia0.0%
Surf Coast ShireAustralia0.0%
WorcesterUnited States of America0.0%
Maple RidgeCanada0.0%
New York CityUnited States of America0.0%
ZürichSwitzerland0.0%
Allegheny CountyUnited States of America0.0%
CambridgeUnited States of America0.0%
PlayfordAustralia0.0%
SeattleUnited States of America0.0%

Names like Nelly

NellieNellNellaNelliNelaMollyLillyHollyTillyDollySallyMilly