"all sweetness, all honey"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Pamela
Pronunciation: [ p-AM-uhl-uh ]
Does Pamela flow with your last name?
A literary invention meaning all sweetness — 400 years strong
English
American
Vintage
Classic
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the 1996 Pam Anderson sex tape scandal, which some parents may wish to avoid
The Story of Pamela
Pamela was invented by the poet Sir Philip Sidney in his 1590 prose romance Arcadia, combining the Greek words pan (all) and meli (honey) to create a name meaning all sweetness. Samuel Richardson's enormously popular 1740 novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded spread the name across England and America, making it a genuine literary invention that became a real given name.
Pamela peaked in popularity in the United States in the 1950s-1960s, when it was a top-10 name. It has declined significantly since then, partly associated with its Baby Boomer generation and partly due to tabloid associations with Pamela Anderson in the 1990s.
Pamela holds a unique place in literary history as a name invented by a poet and popularized by a novel. Samuel Richardson's Pamela is considered one of the first English novels and was a sensation across Europe.
Historical Record
Pamela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 519,199 babies have been named Pamela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pamela is past its peak , currently ranked #2,147 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Pamela was literally invented by Sir Philip Sidney in 1590 — it did not exist before his poem Arcadia
- Samuel Richardson's 1740 novel Pamela was one of the first bestsellers in English literary history
- Pamela was a top-10 girl's name in America throughout most of the 1950s
Pamela in Other Languages
French
Pamela
Italian
Pamela
Spanish
Pamela
Portuguese
Pamela
Popularity Over Time
#2,147
Current Rank
Peaked 1953
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pamela
P
Pamela Anderson
Actor
1967
Canadian-American actress and model, known for Baywatch and her role in 1990s pop culture
P
Pamela (novel character) Fictional
Other
Heroine of Samuel Richardson's 1740 novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, one of the first English novels
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Compare Pamela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,147
- Total SSA Count
- 88
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pam
Pammy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pamela
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Pamela is also used as a boy name, ranked #39139.
View Pamela as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English + Celtic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pamela
What does the name Pamela mean?
"all sweetness, all honey" (from Greek). Pamela was invented by the poet Sir Philip Sidney in his 1590 prose romance Arcadia, combining the Greek words pan (all) and meli (honey) to create a name meaning all sweetness. Samuel Richardson's enormously popular 1740 novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded spread the name across England and America, making it a genuine literary invention that became a real given name.
What is the origin of the name Pamela?
Pamela has Greek, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "all sweetness, all honey".
Is Pamela a boy or girl name?
Pamela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2147. As a boy name, it is ranked #39139. Pamela is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Pamela?
Pamela is pronounced p-AM-uhl-uh.
How popular is the name Pamela?
Pamela is currently ranked #2147 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pamela?
Common nicknames for Pamela include Pam and Pammy.
What are good middle names for Pamela?
Popular middle name pairings include Pamela Jean, Pamela Sue, Pamela Ann, Pamela Lynn, Pamela Jo, Pamela Claire, and Pamela Grace.
What are good sibling names for Pamela?
Names that pair well with Pamela as siblings include Susan, Linda, Sandra, Gary, Larry, Dennis, and Nancy.
How many syllables does Pamela have?
Pamela has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Pamela a common or rare name?
Pamela is an uncommon name, ranked #2147 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Pamela
Pamela is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "all sweetness, all honey" in Greek .
Is Pamela a boy or girl name? Pamela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,147 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,139. Pamela is more commonly used as a girl name.
Pamela is currently ranked #2,147 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Pamela has 3 syllables and is pronounced p-AM-uhl-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Pamela include Pam and Pammy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis