Pamela is a classic feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the name Pamphilus, which means "all loving". The name gained popularity during the 18th century due to its use in Samuel Richardson's novel "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded". It was one of the first novels written in English epistolary style, consisting entirely of letters between the characters. This usage popularized the name Pamela and it has remained a beloved choice among parents ever since. The name can also be associated with various notable figures such as Pamela Anderson, the Canadian-American actress and model, further contributing to its familiarity and recognition.
The name Pamela experienced significant popularity during the mid-20th century, peaking between the late 1950s and early 1960s with over 50 births per year occurring annually from 1957 to 1964. However, its usage dramatically declined thereafter, dropping below 20 births per year by the mid-1970s and continuing to fall until it reached single-digit figures in the late 1980s. Overall, there were 1386 recorded births of the name Pamela from 1941 to 2004.