The name Neleh first appeared in the U.S. baby name data in 2002:
- 2004: 7 baby girls named Neleh
- 2003: 6 baby girls named Neleh
- 2002: 26 baby girls named Neleh [debut]
- 2001: unlisted
- 2000: unlisted
Where did it come from?
Neleh [pronounced nuh-LEE-uh] Dennis, a 21-year-old from Utah who was featured on the competitive reality TV show Survivor: Marquesas during the first half of 2002.
She had a “charming, sunny disposition” and was known for her frequent use of the Utah Mormon expression “Oh my heck.” Neleh made it all the way to the final episode, but ended up losing the title of Sole Survivor to fellow contestant Vecepia “Vee” Towery.
Neleh’s first name was Helen — the name of her maternal grandmother — spelled backwards. (The similar name Nevaeh, a backwards spelling of Heaven, was extremely trendy in the early 2000s.)
Following her success on Survivor, Neleh Dennis worked as a morning news reporter at Utah television station KUTV. After that, she became a stay-at-home mom. (She has two sons named Kai and River and a daughter named McKay.)
What are your thoughts on the name Neleh? How would you pronounce it?
Sources:
- Survivor: Marquesas – Wikipedia
- Pierce, Scott D. “‘Survivor IV’ contestants include Utahn.” Deseret News 7 Feb. 2002.
- Robinson, Doug. “Neleh — from TV’s ‘Survivor’ to motherhood.” Deseret News 28 Apr. 2014.
- SSA
Image: Screenshot of Survivor: Marquesas
I would pronounce it like Nella, because of phonics. That’s the nicest thing I can say about this name. “Oh my heck” is pretty funny, though.
NAY-Luhman…I rather like it.
“Because of phonics” — haha :)
I like the name Neela, so given a choice that’s how I’d choose pronounce Neleh.