A female given name, often used as a nickname for names like Eleanor, Helen, or Cornelia.
From Middle English, likely a diminutive form of Eleanor or other longer names, with roots in Germanic and Greek languages, evolving through nickname conventions.
Nell Gwynne, mistress of King Charles II, became so famous in 1600s England that she's remembered more vividly in history than most queens—her story shows how individual charisma can override social rules.
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