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[Opinions] Nell and Nella
I've never been much a fan of Nellie (can't get over the elephant association) but Nella and the shorter diminutive Nell are really growing on me.1) What do you think of Nella and Nell as full names in their own right?2) If you met a Nella or Nell what would you expect their full name to be?3) If you met a Nella or Nell what would you like their full name to be?http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/117870?sort=rank&pop=ew
^Top 2 = Alice and James ~~ Bottom 2 = Courage and Indiana (m)
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They're very... "country"? Not like "hick" or "redneck", but like "lives on a farm and raises chickens and goats and gardens a lot". It's cute in that context, but it would make no sense on any other kind of person. Nella is more versatile than Nell, but a Nella would at least have to be somewhat outdoorsy. If I met a Nella, I'd assume that was their full name. Nell, I'm not sure. If I thought for a while I'd think maybe Eleanor or Elizabeth, because Ell--> Nell by the same nickname rules as Ed--> Ned, but honestly I don't immediately think of any full name at all when I hear Nella or Nell (although Nell sounds like a nickname. Nella doesn't). I'd also think of any name ending in "nella". Idk what I'd like a Nell's full name to be. None of the full names I can think of have the same feel as Nell at all, so there'd be an uncomfortable mismatch either way. I like Nella by itself though.ETA: Actually I'd like the full name to be Fenella. I think that works with the general vibe I get from Nell/Nella. It sounds a little dirty/outdoorsy to me, probably just because it has the word "fen" in it. But it works.

This message was edited 8/31/2017, 5:59 PM

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Nella reminds me of Nutella when I see it written and Nilla, like Nilla wafers, when said aloud. 1. I'm not really digging Nella, but I'm having trouble articulating why, probably because my reasons are so nebulous, plus the above associations. I'd rather see it as a nickname though. Nell is solid enough, but I don't know that I would use it as a full name either, because there isn't much to it. I tend to like names, especially female names, with lots of options. Also, Nell sounds like knell, which used to keep me from liking it at all. Now, I do like it as a nickname.2. Eleanor / Elinor / Eleanora or Penelope3. Eleanor / Elinor or Penelope
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1) I like the sound of Nell better, but would never spell it that way. I would spell it Nelle. I have known a Nelle in my life and thought her name was amazing. Her surname was the name of a fruit (straight noun-name). It is probably the coolest name combo I have ever come across. I would use Nelle IRL myself. Nella is lovely, but I guess I just don't like it comparatively (with Nelle). I would go for Della though. THAT is a cool name. 2) I wouldn't assume it was short for anything spelled Nelle or Nella, but spelled Nell I might wonder if she was a Penelope or a Janelle or something. 3) If I met a Nella or Nell, I would LIKE their full name to be Nella or Nell. I do like Penelope (my niece is named this), but prefer Penny to Nellie / Nella / or Nell on that. If I HAD to choose a longer name, I would say that Prunella is pretty awesome and Nella would be a sweet nickname for it. I actually would be more excited to meet a Prunella than a Nella tbh.
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1) What do you think of Nella and Nell as full names in their own right?
I've got no problem with them, although I wouldn't use them myself2) If you met a Nella or Nell what would you expect their full name to be?
Nella - probably something ending with nella. Marinella. Prunella. Fenella. Bananella
Nell - Eleanor, Helena, Leonora, Penelope, maybe Helen or Ellen3) If you met a Nella or Nell what would you like their full name to be?
Emmanuelle.
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1) I don't like Nella at all. Or Ella or Bella for that matter. I quite like Nell but it doesn't sound like a complete name to me. And there's the dreadful connection of Little Nell2) Eleanor or variant3) Elizabeth

This message was edited 8/31/2017, 7:41 AM

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I like Nell, it's cute. I'm not very fond of Nella.
If I met a Nell I would assume she was from an English-speaking country and that her real name was Eleanor, Elinor or similar.
In Sweden a Nella would probably be a Petronella, but that's a pretty uncommon name. It also sounds a bit like it could be a Saami name. If she was Italian I would guess for Antonella.
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I like Nell on it's own ok, but I prefer both Nell and Nella as nicknames. I'd assume Nell was a Penelope or an Eleanor, and Nella an Eleanora.I'd love to see it as a nickname for Penelope, Eleanor, Eleanora, Anneliese, or Antonella

This message was edited 8/31/2017, 5:01 AM

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I think they can both work as full names, but I would personally only use them as nns for Helena or Eleanor. I know one Nell (not short for anything) in her early 30s.
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Nella and Nell could be full names.The only Nell I have ever known was Janelle. I wouldn't really expect an Eleanor or an Ellen as most people I know wouldn't see the connection (just as though they wouldn't see the connection between Mary and Molly).
I also kind of dig Nelida.
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Nella was the name of my grandma's (Italian) cousin, not a NN, her full name and I have never thought it needed a longer version, so, to me it can stand on its own.Nell is a different matter, I think it is too nickname-y. I would expect a Nell full name to be Penelope and I think that's my favourite one.
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