How Many People Are Named Pamela?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Pamela

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 4,717 living people in the United States currently have the first name Pamela. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,619 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #492 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~4,717CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,619Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#492U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1974 (90 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~4,717
Historical Births (SSA)
5,619
All-Time Rank
#492
Historical Peak
1974

Key Insights for Pamela

Estimated Living Bearers
~4,717 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#492
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1974
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
90.7% Male · 9.3% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~590 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Pamela

Living Population Model
~4,717

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,619

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,380

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
37.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1974

Highest annual total: 90 registrations in 1974.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-4%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Pamela has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Pamela (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1974 (~90 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201065587
201164577
201263567
201362557
201461547
201560537
201660537
201759536
201858526
201958526
202057516
202157516
202256506
202356506
202456506

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
27/100
1950s
56/100
1960s
86/100
1970s
98/100
1980s
84/100
1990s
53/100
2000s
83/100
2010s
68/100
2020s
31/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Pamela has been predominantly masculine (90.7% male vs 9.3% female).

Male: 90.7% (~5,097 births)Female: 9.3% (~522 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Pamela

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Pamela in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Pamela appeared 3,380 times, ranking #420 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,380 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#420
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Pamela Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~590 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~59012.5%
Texas (TX)~4349.2%
Florida (FL)~3216.8%
New York (NY)~2886.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1894%
Illinois (IL)~1843.9%
Ohio (OH)~1703.6%
Georgia (GA)~1563.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 4,717 people named Pamela are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 37.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Pamela: 37.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Pamela

How many people in the U.S. are named Pamela?

Approximately 4,717 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Pamela. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,619 birth applications for Pamela between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Pamela?

Pamela ranks #492 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Pamela comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Pamela most popular in America?

The name Pamela reached its peak historical popularity in 1974, when 90 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Pamela?

Pamela has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Pamela?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Pamela has been predominantly masculine (90.7% male vs 9.3% female).

Where is the name Pamela most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Pamela resides in California, with approximately 590 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Pamela in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Pamela appeared 3,380 times in census returns, ranking #420 in official 2020 returns.

✨ Free Demographic Tool

Check Another First Name

Search our database of official Social Security & Census records instantly.

⚡ Instant calculation🛡️ No signup required📊 Official SSA 1880–2024 data