The name Nettie originated as a diminutive or pet form of the English name Annette, which itself is derived from the French name Anette, a diminutive of Anne. Anne is the French form of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor." The name Nettie emerged in the 19th century, particularly in England and the United States.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nettie can be found in the 1850 United States Federal Census, where a few individuals were listed with this name. By the late 19th century, Nettie had become a relatively popular name, particularly in the American South and Midwest.

One notable bearer of the name Nettie was Nettie Stevens (1861-1912), an American geneticist and pioneering researcher in the field of cytogenetics. She was the first person to describe the chromosomal basis of sex determination, a groundbreaking discovery in the early 20th century.

Another historical figure named Nettie was Nettie Fowler McCormick (1835-1923), an American philanthropist and women's rights activist. She was a prominent member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and worked tirelessly for the cause of women's suffrage.

In literature, Nettie is the name of a character in Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" (1982). Nettie is the younger sister of the protagonist, Celie, and her letters to Celie form a significant part of the novel's narrative.

Nettie Prentice Rosenstein (1854-1936) was an American social worker and advocate for women's rights, particularly in the field of labor laws. She played a crucial role in the establishment of the New York State Workmen's Compensation Law.

Nettie Maria Stevens (1869-1913) was an American educator and women's rights activist. She was a co-founder of the National Woman's Party and worked tirelessly for the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States.

While the name Nettie has declined in popularity in recent decades, it remains a charming and historically significant name with roots in the 19th century and connections to notable figures in various fields, including science, literature, and social activism.