Nell

Nell is a longstanding English nickname associated with Helen, Ellen, and Eleanor, and it is also used independently. Those longer names do not all have the same established etymology. Helen is often associated with light, while Eleanor's oldest origin is uncertain, so “bright and shining” should not be assigned to every Nell without context.

Charles Dickens's Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop gives the name a familiar literary connection, and the historical Nell Gwyn provides another recognizable bearer. Nellie and Nelly are related familiar forms. Nell can honor a longer family name without requiring that name on official documents. Its short spelling contains a rich nickname history rather than one universal literal meaning.