Find out how popular the first name Nelya has been for the last 9 years (from 2015 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nelya by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Nelya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nelya.

The history of the first name Nelya

The name Nelya has its origins in the Russian language. It is a diminutive form of the name Nelly, which is itself a shortened version of the Russian name Nadezhda, meaning "hope" or "trust." The name Nadezhda can be traced back to the early Christian era, with roots in the Greek language.

The earliest recorded use of the name Nelya dates back to the 19th century in Russia. One of the first notable individuals to bear this name was Nelya Afanasyevna Bazhenova (1836-1902), a Russian philanthropist and benefactor who founded several schools and orphanages in her hometown of Nizhny Novgorod.

Another historical figure with the name Nelya was Nelya Konstantinovna Krupskaya (1869-1939), a Russian Bolshevik revolutionary and the wife of Vladimir Lenin. She played a significant role in the development of the Soviet education system and was a prominent advocate for women's rights.

In the realm of literature, Nelya Mikhailovna Kozhevnikova (1892-1962) was a Russian writer and poet. Her works often explored themes of rural life and the struggles of the working class during the early Soviet period.

Moving into the 20th century, Nelya Vasilyevna Novikova (1908-1988) was a Soviet actress and theater director. She is particularly renowned for her performances in productions of Anton Chekhov's plays.

Lastly, Nelya Vladimirovna Kuzmina (born 1983) is a contemporary Russian biathlete and Olympic medalist. She has won multiple medals at the Winter Olympic Games and World Championships, cementing her place as one of the most successful biathletes of her generation.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Nelya. While the name has Russian origins, it has also been adopted in other Slavic cultures and has gained recognition beyond its initial geographical boundaries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nelya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nelya, please contact us.

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