Nelly

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEL-lee /ˈnɛl.i/High

Meaning: A short, friendly form — for boys usually tied to Cornelius or Nelson, and famously the stage name of rapper Nelly (Cornell Haynes Jr.). As a given name it leans more often to girls (from Helen/Eleanor). Used here for a boy.Low

In 30 seconds: A friendly nickname-name: Nelly, for boys, trims Cornelius or Nelson (said 'NEL-lee'). More often a girl's name — we note the lean.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningA short, friendly form — for boys usually tied to Cornelius or Nelson, and famously the stage name of rapper Nelly (Cornell Haynes Jr.). As a given name it leans more often to girls (from Helen/Eleanor). Used here for a boy.

U.S. rank (2025)#8710 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 79

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nelly is a short, warm form: for boys it trims Cornelius or Nelson, and it carries pop-culture weight through the rapper Nelly. As a given name it is more often a girl's (from Helen/Eleanor), which we note. Rare for boys in the U.S. (said 'NEL-lee').

For boys it appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare for boys, friendly, and familiar.

Did you know? Nelly is best known as the stage name of rapper Nelly (Cornell Haynes Jr.); as a boy's given name it usually shortens Cornelius or Nelson, though the name leans more often to girls (said 'NEL-lee').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Nelly — Short form Cornelius/Nelson; rapper Nelly; cross-sex

Variations

NellieNelliNelson

Nicknames

NelElls

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nelly…

Cornelius— the name Nelly can shorten

Nelson— a like source name for boys

Otis— a like vintage boy's pick

Milo— a like friendly two-beat name

Explore names like Nelly

By themeshort vintage cross-sex pop-culture

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nelly mean?

For boys Nelly usually shortens Cornelius or Nelson, and it's famous as rapper Nelly's stage name; it's more often a girl's name, which we note.

How do you pronounce Nelly?

It's said NEL-lee /ˈnɛl.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nelly a boy or girl name?

Nelly is used here as a boy's name, though it's more often a girl's — we note the lean.

How popular is Nelly?

Nelly is rare for boys in the U.S.