Nelson (given name)

Nelson  is an English given name, more commonly used as a surname.

It is derived from a patronymic name created from the given name "Nell".

A

 * Nelson Abadía (born 1956), Colombian football manager
 * Nelson Abbott (born 1966), American attorney
 * Nelson Abeijón (born 1973), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Acevedo (born 1988), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson Acosta (born 1944), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Adams (born 1953), American physician
 * Nelson Adams (boxer) (born 1967), Puerto Rican boxer
 * Nelson Aerts (born 1963), Brazilian tennis player
 * Nelson Agbesi (1939–2016), Ghanaian barrister
 * Nelson Agho (born 2003), English footballer
 * Nelson Agholor (born 1993), American football player
 * Nelson Agresta (born 1955), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Akwari (born 1982), American soccer player
 * Nelson Alaguich (born 1959), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson W. Aldrich (1841–1915), American politician
 * Nelson W. Aldrich Jr. (1935–2022), American educator
 * Nelson Algren (1909–1981), American writer
 * Nelson Allen (1933–2005), American politician
 * Nélson Almeida (born 1979), Angolan tennis player
 * Nelson Alom (born 1990), Indonesian footballer
 * Nelson Amadin (born 2001), Dutch footballer
 * Nelson Amorim Magalhães (1911–?), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson Mauricio Ancheta (born 1963), Salvadoran footballer and manager
 * Nelson Annandale (1876–1924), Scottish zoologist
 * Nelson Araujo (born 1987), American politician
 * Nélson Domingues de Araújo (born 1972), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson Rodríguez Arévalo, Colombian gang leader
 * Nelson Asaytono (born 1967), Filipino basketball player
 * Nelson Ascencio (born 1964), Cuban-American actor
 * Nelson Asofa-Solomona (born 1996), New Zealand rugby league footballer
 * Nelson Atiagli (born 1996), Ghanaian footballer
 * Nelson Avila (born 1940), Argentine dancer
 * Nelson Ávila (Chilean politician) (born 1942), Chilean politician
 * Nelson Azeem, Pakistani politician
 * Nelson Azevedo-Janelas (born 1998), Belgian footballer

B

 * Nelson Baker (1842–1936), American priest
 * Nelson C. Baker, American civil engineer
 * Nelson Ball (1942–2016), Canadian poet
 * Nelson Ball (rugby union) (1908–1986), New Zealand rugby union footballer
 * Nelson Balongo (born 1999), Belgian-Congolese footballer
 * Nelson Barahona (born 1987), Panamanian footballer
 * Nelson Barbosa (born 1969), Brazilian economist
 * Nelson H. Barbour (1824–1905), American writer
 * Nelson Barbudo (born 1960), Brazilian politician
 * Nelson Barclift (1917–1993), American choreographer
 * Nelson Barrera (1957–2002), Mexican baseball player
 * Nelson Cárcamo Barrera, Chilean politician
 * Nelson Barrere (1808–1883), American politician
 * Nelson B. Bartram (1832–1886), American army officer
 * Nelson Bascome (1955–2009), Bermudian politician
 * Nelson Estupiñán Bass (1912–2002), Ecuadorian writer
 * Nelson Batista (born 1962), Cuban dancer
 * Nelson J. Beach (1800–1876), American surveyor
 * Nelson Becerra (born 1987), Peruvian footballer
 * Nelson F. Beckwith (1813–1873), American politician and businessman
 * Nelson Benítez (born 1984), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson Bentley (1918–1990), American poet
 * Nelson Bernal (born 1972), Paraguayan footballer
 * Nélson Bertolazzi (born 1966), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson Betancourt (1887–1947), Trinidadian cricketer
 * Nelson Gordon Bigelow (1840–1892), Canadian lawyer and politician
 * Nelson Boateng (born 1968), Ghanaian sprinter
 * Nelson Bolan (born 1990), West Indian cricketer
 * Nelson S. Bond (1908–2006), American writer
 * Nelson Bonilla (born 1990), Salvadorian footballer
 * Nelson Borges (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Bornier (1950–2021), Brazilian lawyer and politician
 * Nelson Blanco (born 1999), Salvadorian footballer
 * Nelson Bragg (born 1961), American musician
 * Nelson Brickham (1927–2007), American intelligence officer
 * Nelson Briles (1943–2005), American baseball player
 * Nelson Brito (born 1960), Ecuadorian football manager
 * Nelson V. Brittin (1920–1951), American soldier
 * Nelson Brizuela (born 1950), Paraguayan footballer
 * Nelson Broms (1919–2023), American business executive
 * Nelson Brown, American curler
 * Nelson C. Brown (1885–??), American professor
 * Nelson Brownell, American politician
 * Nelson Burbrink (1921–2001), American baseball player
 * Nelson M. Burroughs (1899–1998), American prelate
 * Nelson Burton (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Bustamante (born 1992), Chilean footballer

C

 * Nelson Cabanillas (born 2000), Peruvian footballer
 * Nelson Cabrera (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Calzadilla (born 1954), Venezuelan boxer
 * Nelson Carmichael (born 1965), American skier
 * Nelson Carrero (bron 1953), Venezuelan footballer
 * Nelson Victor Carter (1887–1916), English army officer
 * Nelson Case (1910–1976), American radio announcer
 * Nelson Castro (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Catalina (born 1950), American basketball coach
 * Nelson Cavaquinho (1911–1986), Brazilian singer
 * Nelson Ceaser (born 2001), American football player
 * Nelson Cereceda (born 1991), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Chabay (1940–2018), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Chai (born 1965), American investment banker
 * Nelson Chamisa (born 1978), Zimbabwean politician
 * Nelson Chanady (born 1963), American motocross racer
 * Nelson Chelle (1931–2001), Uruguayan basketball player
 * Nelson W. Cheney (1875–1944), American politician
 * Nelson Cherutich (born 1993), Bahraini steeplechase
 * Nelson Chia, Singaporean theatre director
 * Nelson Chittum (1933–2024), American baseball player
 * Nelson Chui (born 1947), Peruvian engineer
 * Nelson Clarke (1914–1982), Canadian politician
 * Nelson Coates, American production designer
 * Nelson Cobb (1811–1894), American judge
 * Nelson D. Cole (1833–1899), American army officer and politician
 * Nelson Colón, Puerto Rican basketball coach
 * Nelson Cooke (1919–2018), Australian cellist
 * Nelson M. Cooke (1903–1965), American entrepreneur
 * Nelson Cossio (born 1966), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Cowan (born 1951), American psychology professor
 * Nelson Cowles (1930–2021), American politician
 * Nelson Cragg (born 1978), American film director
 * Nelson Crispin (born 1992), Colombian Paralympic swimmer
 * Nelson Cruikshank (1902–1986), American policy analyst
 * Nelson Cruz (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Cuevas (born 1980), Paraguayan footballer
 * Nelson Cupello (born 1951), Brazilian footballer and manager

D

 * Nélson da Conceição (1900–??), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson da Luz (born 1998), Angolan footballer
 * Nelson Dantas (1927–2006), Brazilian actor
 * Nelson Horatio Darton (1865–1948), American geologist
 * Nelson Davidyan (1950–2016), Armenian wrestler and coach
 * Nelson Davis (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Dawson (1859–1941), British artist
 * Nelson Dean (1899–1939), American baseball player
 * Nélson de Araújo (1926–1993), Brazilian writer
 * Nelson Debenedet (born 1947), Italian-Canadian ice hockey player
 * Nelson DeCastro (born 1969), American comic book artist
 * Nelson Delailomaloma, Fijian politician
 * Nelson de la Rosa (1968–2006), Dominican actor
 * Nelson Dellis (born 1984), American memory athlete
 * Nelson del Valle (born 1965), Puerto Rican politician
 * Nelson Demarco (1925–2009), Uruguayan basketball player
 * Nelson DeMille (born 1943), American author
 * Nelson Dewey (1813–1889), American politician
 * Nelson Diale (1936–2015), South African politician
 * Nelson Diaz (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Diebel (born 1970), American swimmer
 * Nelson Dieppa (born 1971), American boxer
 * Nelson S. Dilworth (1890–1965), American farmer and politician
 * Nelson Dingley Jr. (1832–1899), American politician and journalist
 * Nelson Dladla (born 1954), South African footballer
 * Nelson Doi (1922–2015), American politician
 * Nelson Dollar (born 1961), American politician
 * Nelson Domínguez (born 1957), Cuban water polo player
 * Nelson dos Santos (born 1952), Brazilian sprinter
 * Nelson Doubleday (1889–1949), American publisher
 * Nelson Doubleday Jr. (1933–2015), American businessman
 * Nelson Dunford (1906–1986), American mathematician

E

 * Nelson Eddy (1901–1967), American singer
 * Nelson E. Edwards (1887–1954), American film historian
 * Nelson Effiong (born 1953), Nigerian politician
 * Nelson Elder (1923–1983), Northern Irish politician
 * Nelson Emerson (born 1967), Canadian ice hockey player
 * Nelson Erazo (athlete) (1959–2017), Puerto Rican track athlete
 * Nelson Evans (1889–1922), American photographer
 * Nelson Évora (born 1984), Portuguese triple jumper

F

 * Nelson Delle-Vigne Fabbri (born 1949), Italian pianist
 * Nelson Famadas (1948–2010), Puerto Rican businessman
 * Nelson Faria (born 1963), Brazilian guitarist
 * Nélson Fernandes (born 1946), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Fernández (born 1957), Cuban gymnast
 * Nelson Ferreira (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Fogarty (1871–1933), Namibian bishop
 * Nelson M. Ford (born 1947), American politician
 * Nelson Frank (1906–1974), American journalist
 * Nelson Franklin (born 1985), American actor
 * Nelson Freire (1944–2021), Brazilian pianist
 * Nelson Fryer (1818–1896), American farmer and politician
 * Nelson Fu (1894–1968), Chinese doctor
 * Nelson Fuentes (born 1978), Salvadoran economist
 * Nelson Fuson (1913–2006), American physicist

G

 * Nelson Gabolwelwe (born 1977), Botswanan footballer
 * Nelson Gaetz (1907–1988), Canadian politician
 * Nelson Gaichuhie, Kenyan politician
 * Nélson Gama (born 1972), Bissau-Guinean-Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Garner (born 1976), American football player
 * Nelson B. Gaskill (1875–1964), American politician
 * Nelson Gavit (1810–1876), American manufacturing executive
 * Nelson Geingob (born 1982), Namibian footballer
 * Nelson George (born 1957), American writer
 * Nelson F. Gibbs (born 1938), American politician
 * Nelson Gidding (1919–2004), American screenwriter
 * Nelson Gill, American politician
 * Nelson Glueck (1900–1971), American rabbi and archaeologist
 * Nelson L. Goldberg (1930–2005), American telecommunications pioneer
 * Nelson Gonçalves (1919–1998), Brazilian singer
 * Nelson González (born 1988), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson González (musician) (born 1948), Puerto Rican tres player
 * Nelson Goodman (1906–1998), American philosopher
 * Nelson Gooneratne (born 1934), Sri Lankan cricket umpire
 * Nelson H. H. Graburn (born 1936), British professor
 * Nelson Greene (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson G. Gross (1932–1997), American politician
 * Nelson Guarda (1933–2002), Brazilian rower
 * Nelson Guerrero (born 1962), Ecuadorian footballer
 * Nelson Gutiérrez (born 1962), Uruguayan footballer

H

 * Nelson Hackett (1810–??), American escaped slave
 * Nelson Hahne (1908–1970), American illustrator
 * Nelson Hairston (1917–2008), American ecologist
 * Nelson Harding (1879–1944), American cartoonist
 * Nelson Hardwick (born 1951), American politician
 * Nelson Hardy (1905–1993), Australian rugby league footballer
 * Nelson Harris (born 1964), American politician
 * Nelson Hart (born 1968), Canadian murderer
 * Nelson B. Hatch (1879–1956), American football coach
 * Nelson Hawks (1840–1929), American inventor
 * Nelson Heg (born 1993), Malaysian badminton player
 * Nelson Henricks (born 1963), Canadian artist
 * Nelson M. Holderman (1885–1953), American army officer
 * Nelson K. Hopkins (1816–1904), American lawyer and politician
 * Nelson Howarth (1904–1945), English footballer
 * Nelson Bunker Hunt (1926–2014), American businessman

I

 * Nelson Ibáñez (born 1981), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson Inz (born 1969), American politician
 * Nelson Illingworth (1862–1926), Australian sculptor
 * Nelson Insfrán (born 1995), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson Ishiwatari (born 2005), Japanese footballer

J

 * Nelson Jamili (born 1959), Filipino boxer
 * Nelson Javier (born 1985), Dominican badminton player
 * Nelson Johnson (born 1948), American lawyer
 * Nelson T. Johnson (1887–1954), American ambassador
 * Nelson Johnston (born 1990), Cuban footballer
 * Nelson Jones (born 1964), American football player

K

 * Nelson E. Kauffman (1904–1984), American bishop
 * Nelson Keene (born 1942), British singer
 * Nelson A. Kellogg (1881–1945), American athlete and coach
 * Nelson Keys (1886–1939), British actor
 * Nelson P. W. Khonje (1923–2019), Malawian politician
 * Nelson Khumbeni (born 2002), English footballer
 * Nelson Kiang, Chinese-American professor
 * Nelson King (1914–1974), American disc jockey
 * Nelson G. Kraschel (1889–1957), American politician
 * Nelson Kuhn (born 1937), Canadian rower
 * Nelson Kwei (born 1961), Singaporean conductor
 * Nelson Kyeremeh, Ghanaian politician

L

 * Nelson La Due (1831–1900), American politician
 * Nelson Lam (born 1968), Hong Kong politician
 * Nelson Laurence (born 1984), Seychellois footballer
 * Nelson Ledesma (born 1990), Argentine golfer
 * Nelson Lee (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Leigh (1905–1985), American actor
 * Nelson Leirner (1932–2020), Brazilian artist
 * Nelson Lemmon (1908–1989), Australian politician
 * Nelson Lemus (1960–1977), Salvadoran religious figure
 * Nélson Lenho (born 1984), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Levy (??–2007), French Polynesian travel executive
 * Nelson Lichtenstein (born 1944), American professor
 * Nelson Lincoln (1914–2000), American sports shooter
 * Nelson Liriano (born 1964), Dominican baseball player
 * Nélson Lisboa (1930–2020), Brazilian basketball player
 * Nelson Lokombo (born 1999), Canadian American football player
 * Nelson López (born 1941), Argentine footballer
 * Nelson Seymour Lougheed (1882–1944), Canadian businessman and politician
 * Nelson Loyola (born 1968), Cuban fencer
 * Nelson Lucas (born 1979), Seychellois sprinter
 * Nelson Ludington (1818–1883), American businessman

M

 * Nelson Madore (1943–2020), American politician
 * Nelson Maldonaldo-Torres, Puerto Rican philosopher
 * Nelson Mandela (1918–2013), South African politician and activist
 * Nelson H. Manning (1832–??), American politician
 * Nelson Marcenaro (1952–2021), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nélson Marcos (born 1983), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Margetts (1879–1932), American polo player
 * Nelson Mariano (born 1974), Filipino chess player
 * Nelson Martin (born 1958), Canadian football player
 * Nelson Martinez (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Mason (born 1987), Canadian racing driver
 * Nelson Mathews (born 1941), American baseball player
 * Nelson E. Matthews (1852–1917), American politician
 * Nelson Max, American computer scientist
 * Nelson Mazivisa (born 1985), Zimbabwean footballer
 * Nelson McCormick (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson McDowell (1870–1947), American actor
 * Nelson McVicar (1871–1960), American judge
 * Nelson Medina (born 1978), Peruvian artist
 * Nelson Meers (born 1938), Australian politician
 * Nelson Willy Mejía Mejía, Honduran military officer
 * Nelson Mensah (born 1973), Ghanaian footballer
 * Nelson Merced (born 1947), American activist and politician
 * Nelson Merentes (born 1954), Venezuelan mathematician
 * Nelson Merlo (born 1983), Brazilian racing driver
 * Nelson Meurer (1942–2020), Brazilian politician
 * Nelson Michael, American researcher
 * Nelson A. Miles (1839–1925), American soldier
 * Nélson Monte (born 1995), Portuguese footballer
 * Nélson Monteiro de Souza (1904–??), Brazilian basketball player
 * Nelson Mora (born 1976), Venezuelan swimmer
 * Nélson Morais (born 1974), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Morales (born 1976), Guatemalan footballer
 * Nelson Mores (born 1959), Chilean football manager
 * Nelson Morgan, American computer scientist
 * Nelson Morpurgo (1899–1978), Italian lawyer
 * Nelson Morris (1838–1907), American entrepreneur
 * Nelson Motta (born 1944), Brazilian journalist
 * Nelson Muguku (1932–2010), Kenyan entrepreneur
 * Nelson Müller (born 1979), German restaurateur
 * Nelson Munganga (born 1993), Congolese footballer
 * Nelson Munsey (1948–2009), American football player

N

 * Nelson Navarro (born 1949), Curaçaoan politician
 * Nelson Ned (1947–2014), Brazilian singer
 * Nelson Ne'e (1954–2013), Solomon Islands politician
 * Nelson Nhamussua (born 2001), Mozambican basketball player
 * Nelson Nieves (1934–2021), Venezuelan fencer
 * Nelson Nitchman (1908–1991), American athletic coach
 * Nelson Nogier (born 1996), Canadian ice hockey player
 * Nelson Norgren (1891–1974), American athletic coach
 * Nelson Norman (born 1958), American baseball player
 * Nelson I. Norton (1820–1887), American politician
 * Nelson R. Norton (1809–??), American politician

O

 * Nelson Obus (born 1947), American businessman
 * Nelson Odhiambo (born 1989), Kenyan cricketer
 * Nelson Oduber (born 1947), Aruban politician
 * Nelson Ogunshakin, British-Nigerian engineer
 * Nelson Olanipekun, Nigerian lawyer
 * Nélson Oliveira (born 1991), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Olmsted (1914–1992), American actor
 * Nelson Olveira (born 1974), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Ombito (born 1963), Kenyan judoka
 * Nelson Onana (born 2000), Belgian field hockey player
 * Nelson Oñate (1943–2022), Cuban sports shooter
 * Nelson Onono-Onweng, Ugandan bishop
 * Nelson Orji (born 2002), Nigerian footballer
 * Nelson Orozco (born 2000), Bolivian footballer
 * Nelson Oyarzún (1943–1978), Chilean football manager
 * Nelson M. Oyesiku, Nigerian neurosurgeon
 * Nelson Oyoo (born 1994), Kenyan rugby sevens footballer

P

 * Nelson Silva Pacheco (born 1944), Colombian footballer
 * Nelson Palacio (born 2001), Colombian footballer
 * Nelson Panciatici (born 1988), French racing driver
 * Nelson Papucci (born 1968), American politician
 * Nelson Parraguez (born 1971), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Pass (born 1951), American audio designer
 * Nelson Pedetti (born 1954), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nélson Pedroso (born 1985), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Peltz (born 1942), American businessman
 * Nélson Pereira (born 1975), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Pereira dos Santos (1928–2018), Brazilian film director
 * Nelson J. Pérez (born 1961), American prelate
 * Nélson Pescuma (1945–2006), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson Pessoa (born 1935), Brazilian equestrian
 * Nelson Peterson (1913–1990), American football player
 * Nelson Philippe (born 1986), French race car driver
 * Nelson Phillips (1873–1939), American judge
 * Nelson Pinder (1932–2022), American minister
 * Nelson Pinedo (1928–2016), Colombian singer
 * Nelson Pinto (born 1981), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Piquet (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Pizarro (born 1985), American soccer player
 * Nelson Pizarro (Chilean footballer) (born 1970), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson W. Polsby (1934–2007), American political scientist
 * Nelson D. Porter (1863–1961), Canadian politician
 * Nelson Thomas Potter Jr. (1939–2013), American philosopher
 * Nelson Poynter (1903–1978), American publisher
 * Nelson A. Primus (1842–1916), American artist
 * Nelson Proença (1950–2022), Brazilian businessman and politician
 * Nelson Prudêncio (1944–2012), Brazilian athlete
 * Nélson Purchio (1941–2015), Brazilian footballer

Q

 * Nelson Quan (born 1984), Chinese-American film editor
 * Nelson Quiñónes (born 2002), Colombian footballer

R

 * Nelson Rae (1914–1945), American actor
 * Nelson Jair Cardona Ramírez (born 1969), Colombian prelate
 * Nelson Ramodike (??–2012), South African politician
 * Nelson Ramos (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson Rand, Canadian journalist
 * Nelson Rangell (born 1960), American jazz musician
 * Nelson Rattenbury (1907–1973), Canadian politician
 * Nelson Rebolledo (born 1985), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Repenning, American business scholar
 * Nelson Ribeiro (1910–1973), Brazilian rower
 * Nelson Riddle (1921–1985), American bandleader
 * Nelson Riis (born 1942), Canadian politician and businessman
 * Nelson Rising (1941–2023), American businessman
 * Nelson Ritsema (born 1994), Dutch rower
 * Nelson Rivas (born 1983), Colombian footballer
 * Nelson Rockefeller (1908–1979), American politician
 * Nelson Rodrigues (1912–1980), Brazilian playwright
 * Nelson Rodríguez (boxer) (born 1955), Venezuelan boxer
 * Nelson S. Román (born 1960), American judge
 * Nelson Royal (1935–2002), American professional wrestler
 * Nelson Ruiz (born 1949), Venezuelan boxer
 * Nelson Somerville Rulison (1842–1897), American bishop
 * Nelson Russell (1897–1971), Northern Irish soldier
 * Nelson Ruttenberg (1893–1959), American lawyer and politician

S

 * Nélson Saavedra (born 1988), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Saenz (born 1965), Cuban taekwondo practitioner
 * Nelson Saiers, American artist and mathematician
 * Nelson Saldana, American cyclist
 * Nelson Samkange (??–2013), Zimbabwean politician
 * Nélson Sampaio (born 1992), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson León Sánchez (born 1966), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Ponce Sánchez (born 1975), Cuban illustrator
 * Nelson Sanhueza (born 1952), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Sandoval (born 1970), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson San Martín (born 1980), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Santana (1955–1964), Brazilian medical patient
 * Nelson Santovenia (born 1961), American baseball player
 * Nelson Sardelli (born 1934), Italian-Brazilian comedian
 * Nelson Sardenberg (born 1970), Brazilian karate fighter
 * Nelson Sardinha (born 1966), Angolan basketball player
 * Nelson Sargento (1924–2021), Brazilian musician
 * Nelson Saúte (born 1967), Mozambican writer
 * Nelson Schwenke (??–2012), Chilean singer
 * Nelson Searcy (born 1971), American minister
 * Nélson Semedo (born 1993), Portuguese footballer
 * Nelson Semperena (born 1984), Uruguayan footballer
 * Nelson Senkatuka (born 1997), Ugandan footballer
 * Nelson Rodríguez Serna (born 1965), Colombian cyclist
 * Nelson Serrano (born 1938), Ecuadorian businessman
 * Nelson Setimani (born 1990), South African cricketer
 * Nelson Sewankambo (born 1952), Ugandan physician
 * Nelson Shanks (1937–2015), American painter
 * Nelson Sharpe (1858–1935), American judge
 * Nelson Shin (born 1939), Korean film executive
 * Nelson Shoemaker (1911–2003), Canadian politician
 * Nelson Simmons (born 1963), American baseball player
 * Nelson Simões (born 1972), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson D. Simons (1885–1953), American native leader
 * Nelson Sing (born 1995), Timorese footballer
 * Nelson Skalbania (born 1938), Canadian engineer
 * Nelson Solórzano (born 1959), Venezuelan basketball player
 * Nelson Sossa (born 1986), Bolivian footballer
 * Nelson Soto (born 1963), Chilean footballer and manager
 * Nelson Soto (cyclist) (born 1994), Colombian cyclist
 * Nelson Spencer (1876–1943), Canadian merchant
 * Nelson Spruce (born 1992), American football player
 * Nelson Stacy (1921–1986), American race car driver
 * Nelson Stevens (1938–2022), American artist
 * Nelson Stokley (1944–2010), American football player
 * Nelson Stoll, American sound engineer
 * Nelson Stone (born 1984), Papua New Guinean runner
 * Nelson Story (1838–1926), American rancher
 * Nelson Story Jr. (1878–1932), American politician
 * Nelson R. Strong (1862–1930), American politician
 * Nelson Suárez (born 1956), Ecuadorian diver
 * Nelson Sullivan (1948–1989), American videographer

T

 * Nelson Tapia (born 1966), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Ferebee Taylor (1920–2004), American lawyer
 * Nelson Teich (born 1957), Brazilian oncologist
 * Nelson Tennant (1923–2006), English rugby league footballer
 * Nelson Terán (born 1968), Mexican composer
 * Nelson Thall (born 1952), Canadian media scientist
 * Nelson Thomas, American baseball player
 * Nelson B. Tinnin (1905–1985), American politician
 * Nelson Toburen (born 1938), American football player
 * Nelson Torno (1927–2015), Argentine sports shooter
 * Nelson Torres (born 1944), Chilean footballer
 * Nelson Townsend (1941–2015), American athletic administrator
 * Nelson Trad Sr. (1930–2011), Brazilian lawyer and politician
 * Nelson Trad Filho (born 1961), Brazilian politician
 * Nelson Wesley Trout (1921–1996), American bishop
 * Nelson Trujillo (born 1960), Venezuelan boxer
 * Nelson Tyler, American engineer

V

 * Nelson Vails (born 1960), American cyclist
 * Nelson Valdez (born 1983), Paraguayan footballer
 * Nelson H. Van Vorhes (1822–1882), American politician
 * Nelson Vargas (born 1974), American soccer player and coach
 * Nélson Vargas (born 1973), Colombian cyclist
 * Nélson Veiga (born 1978), Cape Verdean footballer
 * Nelson Veilleux (born 1967), Canadian professional wrestler
 * Nelson Venkatesan, Indian film director
 * Nelson Villagra (born 1937), Chilean actor
 * Nelson Vivas (born 1969), Argentinian footballer

W

 * Nelson Wallulatum (1926–2010), Native American chief
 * Nelson Wang (born 1950), Chinese-Indian restaurateur
 * Nelson W. Ward (1837–1929), American army officer
 * Nelson J. Waterbury (1819–1894), American politician and lawyer
 * Nelson Weiper (born 2005), German footballer
 * Nelson Wheatcroft (1852–1897), English actor
 * Nelson E. Whitaker (1839–1909), American businessman and politician
 * Nelson Williams (disambiguation), multiple people
 * Nelson W. Winbush (born 1929), American educator
 * Nelson Wolff (born 1940), American politician
 * Nelson Woss, Australian film producer
 * Nelson Ikon Wu (1919–2002), Chinese-American writer

X

 * Nelson Xavier (1941–2017), Brazilian actor

Y

 * Nelson Torres Yordán (born 1981), Puerto Rican politician

Z

 * Nelson Zamora (born 1959), Uruguayan runner
 * Nelson Ryan Zamora (born 1991), Canadian soccer player
 * Nelson Zeglio (1926–2019), Brazilian footballer
 * Nelson Zelaya (born 1973), Paraguayan footballer

Fictional characters

 * Nelson (Ninjago), a character in Ninjago
 * Nelson, a Canada goose in the 2006 Disney animated film The Wild
 * Nelson, a ballast tractor in the preschool TV series Thomas & Friends
 * Nelson Gabriel, a character in The Archers
 * Nelson Lee (detective), a character in various British story papers
 * Nelson Muntz, a character in The Simpsons
 * Nelson Tethers, a character in Puzzle Agent
 * Nelson Van Alden, a character in Boardwalk Empire
 * Nelson van Sloan, a character in the 1989 American action comedy movie Speed Zone