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Nell
What do you think of the name Nell? Usually the name is used as a shortened name for Eleanor, Penelope, Helena etc. But could Nell be used on its own as a first name? And what middle name/names would you pair with it?
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I used to not like it, since it sounded nasal and dated, but now I like it! I prefer it as a nickname or middle name. I like it more than Nellie or Ellie -weird, huh? I even like it on a guy. Maybe its because Nell reminds me of Ned? (Mine Edward, Mine Eleanor). It sounds unisex to my ears.If you make a stretch, it could be a nickname for masculine names containing El, like Elsworth, Elmer, Elm, Delbert, Elbert, Elvin, Eldon... You get the idea.I really don't like short names with longer middle names. Most don't flow well in my opinion. Nell can operate like Anne and Sophia. Just slap it at the end of a 2-3 syllable name and you're good to go. Examples:Jessie Nell, Betty Nell, Ollie Nell, Kara Nell, Cassandra Nell, Rebecca Nell, Stacy Nell, Sherri Nell, Marinda Nell, Tara Nell, Lori Nell, Aura Nell, Melissa Nell, and so on and so forth.
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I used to not like it, since it sounded nasal and dated, but now I like it! I prefer it as a nickname or middle name. I like it more than Nellie or Ellie -weird, huh? I even like it on a guy. Maybe its because Nell reminds me of Ned? (Mine Edward, Mine Eleanor). It sounds unisex to my ears.If you make a stretch, it could be a nickname for masculine names containing El, like Elsworth, Elmer, Elm, Delbert, Elbert, Elvin, Eldon... You get the idea.I really don't like short names with longer middle names. Most don't flow well in my opinion. Nell can operate like Anne and Sophia. Just slap it at the end of a 2-3 syllable name and you're good to go. Examples:Jessie Nell, Betty Nell, Ollie Nell, Kara Nell, Cassandra Nell, Rebecca Nell, Stacy Nell, Sherri Nell, Marinda Nell, Tara Nell, Lori Nell, Aura Nell, Melissa Nell, and so on and so forth.
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I like Nellie and Nan, but Nell seems shrill in comparison. I guess because of knell and nail.Nell Seraphine
Nell Antoinette
Nell Juanita
Nell Dinah
Nell Clemence
Nell Shireen
Nell Saoirse
Nell MemphisEta: wow, a lot of combos (Shireen, Felicity, Rosemary, Miriam, Katherine) got suggested more than once.

This message was edited 11/4/2021, 5:46 PM

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I don’t mind Nell at all. My paternal grandmother is named Nellie and I’ve always thought that was a rather lovely name, though I think she may dislike it herself. Nell can definitely be used as a full name on its own. Combo suggestions are Nell Tabitha, Nell Phoebe, Nell Felicity, Nell Imogen, Nell Miriam, Nell Jemima, Nell Katherine, Nell Madeleine, Nell Marnie, Nell Evelyn, Nell Rosemary, Nell Sophia and Nell Primrose.
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I had two fairly distant aunts, on my mother's and my father's sides, named Nellie. Not Nell, I admit, but close. One Aunt had Sandford as her mn; the other one didn't have a mn at all. And I knew a Moira Nell. Not a strange concept, therefore, but not something I'd be likely to use. I don't like Ella, Ellie, Bella etc either.
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My name is Ellen but spell it backwards to use on websites - Nelle. Nell can certainly be used as a first name. I went to college with a girl named Gwendolyn Nell which is lovely so it has great mn potential too.Nell Peninah
Nell Olena
Nell Oberon
Nell Annelise
Nell Annora
Nell Amberly
Nell Annaleigh
Nell Iris
Nell Lorelei
Nell Larkin
Nell Rosemary
Nell Rosemarie
Nell Rosalie
I like a lot of the combos Ani has posted below
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One of my absolute favorite names and has been for a while now. I actually picked it up from Victoria Pedretti’s character on The Haunting of Hill House.I like it as a standalone FN because I wouldn’t want hypothetical child to decide they want to go by Penny or Nora or something instead, I want her to be Nell.It’s a cute, pleasant name that works on all ages imo, and it’s not very common either.Middle names have been hard for me. I find middle names for one syllable FN’s always hard.Nell Agatha
Nell Amara
Nell Amelia
Nell Irene
Nell Josephine
Nell Katerina
Nell Katherine
Nell Marjorie
Nell Maxine
Nell Miriam
Nell Ophelia
Nell Persephone
Nell Roxanna
Nell Sabrina
Nell Selene
Nell Shireen
Nell Victoria
Nell Violet
Nell Vivian
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Hi Ani,That’s where I heard the name and immediately loved it. Thank you for all your suggestions!
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It's creamy and pleasant and glossy. It could work as a first name, sure. Nell Adelaide? Nell Calliope? Nell Cornelia? Nell Felicity? Nell Florence? Nell Genevieve? Nell Hermione? Nell Magdalena? Nell Violet?
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Love these combos! Thanks :)
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It's ok as a nn, I don't really like it as a fn
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