Girl · 598th of 12,526
Pamala
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
7,357
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1958
Peak Popularity Year
314
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Pamala stands across generations
This name is not present in the Generation Alpha ranking.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Pamala, a variant of Pamela, has its roots in English and is derived from Greek, meaning 'all sweetness'. The name evolved from its literary beginnings in the 16th century, gaining popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries. It carries traits of warmth and friendliness, with no direct biblical relevance. Notable figures with this name include Pamela Anderson and Pamela Geller.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈpæmələ/
Origin
English
Etymology
Pamala is a variant of the name Pamela, which was created by Sir Philip Sidney in his 16th-century work 'The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia'. It is derived from the Greek words 'pan' meaning 'all' and 'mela' meaning 'honey', hence 'all sweetness'.
Meaning
all sweetness
Language Evolution
Pamela, Pamala
Historical Usage
The name Pamela gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 17th and 18th centuries, particularly after its introduction in literary works.
Variants & Derivatives
Pam, Pammie, Pammy
Modern Popularity & Image
Pamala is viewed as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Pamela Anderson, Pamela Geller, Pamela Sue Martin
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 314 peak births in 1958
Geographic Spread
Popular across 36 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 6 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1971st of 9204 | 326 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 598th of 12526 | 4,605 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 987th of 19264 | 2,050 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4437th of 27321 | 328 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 19428th of 35406 | 43 |