Surname Nelli - Meaning and Origin
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Nelli: What does the surname Nelli mean?
The origin of the surname Nelli is Italian. It is thought to be derived from the Italian male personal name Anello, derived from the Latin name Anellus. This name is thought to be derived from the Latin word "anellus" which means "ring". This could describe someone who wore a ring or made them for a living, or possibly someone who lived near a curved or ring-shaped object such as a bend in a river.
It is believed that the name Nelli originally referred to one's occupation, rather than a specific place of origin. This could potentially be someone who made rings for jewelry or wedding rings, or it could refer to someone who wore many rings to differentiate themselves from others in their group.
The surname Nelli is still relatively rare, and is common in Italy, particularly the southern and central regions. It is also found in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. The name is also sometimes spelled with a double 'l' at the end, such as Nelli.
The name Nelli is an intriguing name, with many potential origins and meanings. It might be someone who wore rings, or one who made rings, or it might be a geographic indication. The multiple possibilities make it a fascinating and mysterious name to trace.
Order DNA origin analysisNelli: Where does the name Nelli come from?
The last name Nelli is most commonly found today in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Lazio. It is also quite common in North and South America, as many Italian immigrants settled in those countries over the past several centuries. In the United States, Nelli is particularly common in the state of California, where it ranks in the top 500 surnames. In Mexico, it is also quite popular, ranking within the top 1,000 surnames in the country. Nelli is also found in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Spain.
The origin of the name Nelli is uncertain, though it appears to derive from an Italian word meaning "gentle" or "lovable". It is also speculated that it could be derived from a Hebrew root word meaning "miracle" or "gift". Whilst the true origin of the name is unclear, its association with the Nelli family of Siena, a line of famous Italian princes and distinguished clergy, is well known.
Nelli remains an uncommon yet distinct surname today, representing individuals of varied cultural backgrounds but united in their appreciation for a unique and powerful surname.
Variations of the surname Nelli
Nelli is an Italian surname that originated in the Middle Ages, possibly originating from the name of a city near Rome. It is thought to have originated from the Latin word for ‘napa’, which means ‘to weave’ or ‘to make lace’.
Variants of the surname Nelli include Nelli, Nelle, Nello, Nil, Nill, Neri, Nere, Neretto, Nerino, Nieri, Nepi, Nipi, Nipli, Nebr, and Neper. There is also a Hungarian variant of the name, spelled Ornelly.
In Italy, the surname is most frequent in the region of Tuscany, and is also present in many other Italian regions, including Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Piemonte, and Marche. It is also very common in the United States, where it has been naturalized in immigrant communities from Italy.
Other spellings of this Italian surname include Neally, Neilley, Neili, Nelley, Niley, and Nilly, as well as the French spelling of Neel.
The Nelli surname is an interesting one, as it comes from a variety of different origins. It reflects the myriad pathways of migration and cultural exchange from Italy, as well as the long history of the region.
Famous people with the name Nelli
- Emilio Nelli: A Cuban historian, and professor of history at the University of Havana, who has written extensively about the Cuban Revolution.
- Robby Nelli: An American singer from California who performs contemporary Christian music.
- Zou Nelli: An American ice hockey player who plays for the Women's National Hockey League's Boston Pride.
- Jessica Nelli: A professional tennis player from Italy who is currently ranked in the top 200 of the world's women's singles players.
- Christina Nelli: An Australian clothing designer who is best known for her work with the lingerie and beachwear label "Tigerlily".
- Ryan Nelli: An American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the New York Giants.
- Michael Nelli: An Italian-American actor who has appeared in films such as "The Expendables 2", "Jack Reacher", and "The Number 23".
- Silvio Nelli: An Italian lawyer who served as Vice President of the Italian Senate in the 1990s.
- Giuseppe Nelli: An Italian politician and entrepreneur who served as Prime Minister of Italy from 1966 to 1968.
- Isidoro Nelli: An Italian Catholic prelate who held important roles in the Vatican, including Prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of Faith.