It is my top girls name at the moment and has been for awhile (
Penelope nn
Nella). It is also my favorite nn for
Eleanor.
I think it can definitely stand on its own as well and I would use it as such if I couldn't convince a SO to use
Penelope or
Eleanor, but I do prefer it as a nn.
The author of a blog I read has a little girl named
Nella Cordelia which I think is a perfect little combo.