Nella

English, diminutive of Helen, Eleanor, et al

"bright, shining one"

Nella Origin and Meaning

The name Nella is a girl's name.

Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or 'in the,' while as a short form, it often inherits meanings from its longer versions. Nella has historical usage dating back centuries but has experienced periods of renewed popularity in recent decades. The name has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet not overused. With its brief two syllables and melodic sound, Nella strikes a balance between simplicity and distinctiveness. The name carries connotations of sweetness and strength, making it versatile for different personalities.

Nella Rank in US Top 1000

# 990 in the US

Popularity of the name Nella

• 1620 Nameberry 2025
• 765 England 2023
• 45 Finland 2023

20 Names Similar to Nella

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Nella.

• Sosie
• Tully
• Effy
• Immy
• Gwyn
• Merrily
• Bridie
• Clancy
• Letty
• Merrill
• Milou
• Mellie
• Tallie
• Audie
• Lotta
• Abbott
• Marni
• Afton
• Melrose
• Torrance

Famous People Named Nella

• Nella Walker American actress
• Nellallitea "Nella" Larsen (born Nellie Walker) American novelist
• Nella Martinetti Swiss singer,songwriter
• Nella Simaová Czech figure skater
• Nella Beevor daughter of English writers Artemis Cooper and Antony Beevor

The name Nella in Pop Culture

• "Nella Fantasia" a famous italian song
• Nella Chain alias of Anne Cahill in "The 39 Clues" series
• Could be used as a short form of Penelope Antonella, Fenella, Ornella, Petronella, Prunella, Danella, etc.
• Nella the Princess Night a cartoon on NickJr.