Girl · 15th of 12,526
Pamela
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
596,378
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1954
Peak Popularity Year
27,399
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Pamela stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Pamela is a name with Greek roots, meaning 'all honey'. It was popularized in the 16th century by Sir Philip Sidney's poem 'Arcadia'. The name has evolved through the centuries and is associated with sweetness and charm. It has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈpæmɪlə/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Pamela was created by Sir Philip Sidney in his 16th-century poem 'Arcadia'. It is derived from the Greek elements 'pan', meaning 'all', and 'melos', meaning 'honey' or 'sweet'.
Meaning
all honey
Language Evolution
Pamela (16th century), Pamela (17th century), Pamela (18th century), Pamela (19th century)
Historical Usage
Pamela gained popularity in the 17th century following the publication of Sidney's work, and it has remained a recognizable name since.
Variants & Derivatives
Pam, Pammie, Pammy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Pamela is viewed as a classic name that evokes a sense of charm and sweetness. It may also carry connotations of nostalgia.
Famous People
Pamela Anderson, Pamela Geller, Pamela Sue Martin
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 27,399 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3652nd of 6773 | 74 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1247th of 7552 | 720 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1659th of 10718 | 458 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5484th of 16616 | 124 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 20994th of 24088 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1362nd of 9107 | 578 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 166th of 9204 | 24,026 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 15th of 12526 | 394,037 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 33rd of 19264 | 138,047 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 165th of 27321 | 28,463 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 568th of 35406 | 8,133 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1555th of 30306 | 1,697 |