Nellie
On November 14, 1889, journalist Elizabeth Cochran Seaman — known by pen name “Nellie Bly” — embarked on a record-breaking 25,000-mile journey chronicled in her book Around the World in Seventy-Two Days.
A pioneer in her field who launched a new style of investigative journalism, Nellie’s career began with an undercover exposé in a mental institution.
Nellie — along with the even shorter form Nell — is a traditional nickname for vintage classics like Eleanor and Helen. Nellie was wildly popular on its own in the late 1800s, but fell out of favor for most of the 20th century.
Nellie re-entered the US Top 1000 names in 2019, and is currently ranked #663. In England and Wales where nickname names are all the rage, Nellie is sitting right outside the Top 100. Climbing fast, sweet Nellie feels like a novel alternative to oh-so-popular Ellie.
In addition to Eleanor, parents wanting a stylish route to the nickname Nellie may like Penelope, Antonella, or Helena.