Nell
Peaked at #144 nationally in 1886, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Nell has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
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Nell — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#144
in 1886
Current rank
#1460
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Nell reached its peak popularity for girls in 1886, ranking #144 nationally with 175 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #3698 (2014) to #1460 (2024) — a 61% improvement.
As of 2024, Nell ranks #1460 nationally for girls, with 150 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,460 | 150 |
| 2023 | #1,682 | 123 |
| 2022 | #1,749 | 119 |
| 2021 | #2,021 | 96 |
| 2020 | #2,273 | 79 |
| 2019 | #1,783 | 115 |
| 2018 | #2,469 | 72 |
| 2017 | #2,195 | 87 |
Nell — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1440
in 1900
Last ranked
#5635
in 1977
Years tracked
15
1900–1977
Trend
Falling
Nell was already at its most popular for boys in 1900 (the earliest year in this data, ranked #1440), with 5 babies given the name that year.
Nell hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1977, when it stood at #5635.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | #5,635 | 6 |
| 1939 | #3,824 | 5 |
| 1935 | #3,533 | 6 |
| 1933 | #2,671 | 9 |
| 1928 | #4,011 | 6 |
| 1927 | #4,060 | 6 |
| 1924 | #4,769 | 5 |
| 1923 | #4,693 | 5 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Nell most popular?
Nell was most popular in 1886, when it ranked #144 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Nell becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Nell?
At least 27,581 babies have been recorded with the name Nell in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Nell? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.