Pamela

Pronunciation: [ p-AM-uhl-uh ]

Girl Name #2,147 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A literary invention meaning all sweetness — 400 years strong

English American

Vintage Classic Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"all sweetness, all honey"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Pamela

Pamela Anderson

Actor

1967

Canadian-American actress and model, known for Baywatch and her role in 1990s pop culture

Pamela (novel character) Fictional

Other

Heroine of Samuel Richardson's 1740 novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, one of the first English novels

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

Pairs Well With

Pamela Jean Pamela Sue Pamela Ann Pamela Lynn Pamela Jo Pamela Claire Pamela Grace

Sibling Names

Susan Linda Sandra Gary Larry Dennis Nancy

Also a Boy Name

Pamela is also used as a boy name, ranked #39139.

View Pamela as a boy name →

Similar Names

Barbara Samantha Camille Camilla Jemima Camila Tamar Tamia

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.