Find out how popular the last name Pamela is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Pamela.

Pamela, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Pamela surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Pamela in America

Pamela is the 108734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pamela surname appeared 151 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Pamela.

The history of the last name Pamela

The surname Pamela does not have widely acknowledged origins in terms of function as a family name. Its roots are often overshadowed by its prominence as a given name, which first appeared in the literary world. Nevertheless, in an attempt to explore its possible use as a surname, any analysis requires a creative examination of its etymological roots and speculative connections to regions or historical records.

The name Pamela originally gained attention through the work of Sir Philip Sidney, an English poet who used it for a character in his pastoral romance "The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia," published posthumously in 1590. The literary origin of the name suggests it may be an invention or a sophisticated play on existing names, thus complicating its direct lineage to a surname. Therefore, tracking the name to any concrete historical records or geographical origins remains challenging.

In historical documents, no widely recognized records definitively and exclusively list Pamela as a surname. It is plausible that individuals or families adopted or modified it through literary influence or forophonic appeal, causing it to appear in isolated or romantically inspired instances rather than following the traditional lineage of surnames such as those derived from professions, localities, or patronyms.

Notably, there are rare instances where Pamela might surface in European countries rich in literary history, particularly in England, where the name was well known by the educated classes. For instance, an obscure reference to a William Pamela in an old property dispute in Sussex in the early 18th century demonstrates a potential usage, though not well-documented. Similarly, an 1825 letter addressed to a Mrs. Anne Pamela of Devon hints at a possible surname application, albeit scarcely confirmed.

Among famed individuals, the surname in prominent records remains elusive, yet speculative connections can be drawn through analogous naming practices. Adam Pamela, mentioned in a 1753 testimonial regarding agricultural advancements in Yorkshire, serves as one such intriguing isolated incidence. Additionally, a Maria Pamela recorded in a religious tract from Canterbury around 1790 reflects another rare appearance devoid of extensive follow-up genealogy.

The surname Pamela also surfaces in creative contexts, such as the character Herbert Pamela, referred to in the satirical pamphlets circulating London’s coffeehouses in the 1770s, illustrating the name's occasional adoption for fictional or pseudonymous purposes.

In conclusion, historical references to the surname Pamela are scant and often speculative. The distinct emergence of Pamela as a surname might be an offshoot of literary creation rather than traditional lineage, appearing sporadically in the record without substantial continuity or widespread recognition.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pamela

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Pamela.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Pamela was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Pamela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pamela, please contact us.

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