Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Tamela since 1947
Babies named Tamela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tamela's real moment was 1966.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 997 |
| 1960s | 3,436 |
| 1970s | 1,735 |
| 1980s | 674 |
| 1990s | 226 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 19 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Tamela is a distinctly American invention from the mid-20th century, first recorded in 1947. It reached its peak popularity in 1966, during a period when compound or blend names like Tammy and Pamela were especially fashionable. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily falling, reflecting a shift away from this naming style. Today, Tamela is uncommon, and its status as a modern coinage means it carries no ancient or cross-cultural baggage. While not carried by any widely known public figures, it remains a soft, feminine choice with an intuitive pronunciation. Its highest year at birth was 1966, and the trajectory has been declining for nearly four decades.
Tamela emerged in the mid-20th century, likely as a creative combination of the popular name Tammy and the suffix -ela, influenced by names like Pamela or Carmela. It was most popular in the 1960s in the United States, though its usage has declined since the mid-1980s.
Where Tamela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tam, Tammy, Ela
Sibling names for Tamela
Names that share Tamela's style, for a brother or sister.
