An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Nelke

by Friedrich Kluge

Nelke, feminine, ‘pink carnation,’ a Low German form for Nägelchen (Low German negęlkin), neuter; in Middle High German nęgellîn, neuter, ‘clove.’ Compare Icelandic negull, masculine, ‘clove,’ Dutch nagelbloem, ‘carnation.’