How Many People Are Named Pamela?

Complete statistics for the name Pamela: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Pamela
Uncommon
Greek, coined in English

Pamela is a classic name with a long history. Over 499,000 people are named Pamela in the U.S., making it 1 in 661. Most are from the older generation, with the peak year being 1954.

~499,088
Living in US
1 in 661
Americans
1954
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
All sweetness, honeyed
🌐
Origin
Greek, coined in English
🌟
Lucky Day
Friday
💎
Lucky Stone
Emerald
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 3
Personality Traits
Warm Nurturing Creative Sincere
3
Life Path Number

Life path number 3 is traditionally linked to creativity, self-expression, and a natural gift for communication. People associated with 3 are often seen as optimistic and socially magnetic, with a strong pull toward artistic or imaginative pursuits.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

1,497,264
Worldwide Bearers
#500
Global Rank
🇺🇸 United States
499,088

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
1,073 (0%)
♀ Female
498,015 (100%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 65
9,840
Would be under 30 (2%)
149,588
Would be 30–60 (25%)
436,950
Would be over 60 (73%)

All 596,378 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1954

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Declining

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
100
Classic Feel
72
Modern Appeal
28
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Pamela Through the Generations

Pamela has been a staple in American naming trends for decades, appearing in the top 10 names for 31 years. While the total number of births with the name peaked at 27,399 in 1954, the current population of people named Pamela stands at 499,088, which is quite a significant difference. This indicates a strong legacy and enduring popularity. The majority of those named Pamela are over 60, showing a clear age skew towards older generations. The declining trend since its peak suggests a gradual shift away from the name, yet its presence remains strong among the older population.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 47,395
Ohio 37,559
New York 36,712
Illinois 35,557
Texas 32,108
Michigan 30,374
Pennsylvania 27,962
Indiana 19,954
North Carolina 18,683
Georgia 16,610

✨ Similar Names to Pamela

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Pamela's Greek, coined in English roots

📄 About the Name Pamela

How Many People Have the Name Pamela?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 499,088 people in the United States currently share the name Pamela. That works out to roughly 1 in every 661 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.

Is Pamela a Common or Rare Name?

Pamela is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Pamela Mean?

Pamela means "All sweetness, honeyed" and comes from Greek, coined in English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 3.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Pamela in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.

When Was Pamela Most Popular?

The name Pamela reached peak popularity in 1954, with 27,399 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Pamela?

Approximately 499,088 people named Pamela live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 596,378. That works out to roughly 1 in 661 Americans.

Is Pamela a rare name?

Pamela is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 661 Americans has this name.

What does the name Pamela mean?

Pamela means "All sweetness, honeyed" and comes from Greek, coined in English origins.

Is Pamela more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Pamela are male and 100% are female.

When was Pamela most popular?

Pamela peaked in 1954 with 27,399 births that year. Current trend: Declining.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US499,088
All-Time Births596,378
1 in X1 in 661
RarityUncommon
GenderFemale
Avg Age65
Peak Year1954
World Rank#500
Male %0%
Female %100%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.