MallowbyNames

Pamella

puh-MEL-uh · All sweetness; a variant of Pamela, coined by Sir Philip Sidney in the 16th century.

Peak popularity
1954
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Pamella since 1928

Babies named Pamella per year in U.S. Social Security records.

509914919602000Most births 1954Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1920s5
1930s59
1940s693
1950s1,254
1960s651
1970s200
1980s140
1990s68
2000s74
2010s22
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Pamella is a spelling variant of the better-known Pamela, a name invented by Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century. While it has never cracked the U.S. top 1,000, Social Security records show its peak year of use was 1954, reflecting the broader mid-century popularity of Pamela. The name's trajectory has been stable in recent decades, and it remains a distinctive alternative to the more common Pamela. Though top states data is unavailable, Pamella's classic yet uncommon feel appeals to parents seeking a name with literary roots and a sweet meaning.

Pamella is a variant of Pamela, a name invented by the English poet Sir Philip Sidney for his prose romance 'The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia' (c. 1590). The name is generally thought to be a blend of the Greek elements pan (all) and meli (honey), thus often interpreted as 'all sweetness'. It gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States during the 1950s.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Pam, Ella, Mella

Variants: Pamela

Sibling names for Pamella

Names that share Pamella's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

P is for Pamella, our favorite little girl.

P is for Pamella…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Pamella's letter becomes Pamella's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Pamella's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Pamella mean?
Pamella is generally understood to mean 'all sweetness', derived from Greek elements pan (all) and meli (honey).
Is Pamella a popular name?
Pamella has never ranked in the U.S. top 1,000 names, but its peak usage was in 1954 according to Social Security data.
Is Pamella a girl's name?
Yes, Pamella is used almost exclusively for girls.