Definition of "Nellie"

Nellie

proper noun
1. A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor or Helen; popular as a formal given name at the turn of the 20th century.
  Quotations
  "Then we will call her Matilda," said he, "as it is a maxim of mine never to spoil children by giving them pet names.""But you call your daughter Nellie," suggested the little widow, and in her soft, blue eye there shone a mischievous twinkle, as if she fancied she had beaten him in his own argument. - - -"That is sister Kelsey's idea, and as she is very fond of Nellie I do not interfere.
  1860, Mary Jane Holmes, Cousin Maude, BiblioBazaar,LLC, published 2007, page 14
  "Eleanor, that's kind of an old lady name. I like Nellie better. Nellie Kincaid, that's got a nice ring to it. It sounds like you're a singer or something.
  2007, Rachel M. Harper, Brass Ankle Blues, Simon&Schuster, page 88
2. (rare) A diminutive of the female given name Chanel.
3. (rare) A diminutive of the male given name Nelson.