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Pamela

PA-muh-luh

Pamela (name) means a feminine given name coined by poet Philip Sidney in the 16th century, from Greek elements meaning "all sweetness". Example: “Pamela invited her friends over for dinner.”

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A feminine given name coined by poet Philip Sidney in the 16th century, from Greek elements meaning "all sweetness".
"Pamela invited her friends over for dinner."
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Test yourself on “Pamela” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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_____ invited her friends over for dinner.

Etymology

Coined by Sir Philip Sidney around 1590 for a character in his romance "Arcadia", from Greek "pan" (all) and "meli" (honey).

Origin: Greek · First attested 1590

Class of 1590 Pamela joined the language around 1590.
See the full Class of 1590 →
Pam Pammy Pamella

Related words

Rhymes for Pamela

See all rhymes for Pamela →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Pamela” mean?

The word “Pamela” means a feminine given name coined by poet Philip Sidney in the 16th century, from Greek elements meaning "all sweetness".

How do you pronounce “Pamela”?

“Pamela” is pronounced PA-muh-luh (/ˈpæmələ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Pamela” in a sentence?

Here is “Pamela” used in a sentence: “Pamela invited her friends over for dinner.”

What part of speech is “Pamela”?

“Pamela” is a name.

Where does the word “Pamela” come from?

The word “Pamela” dates back to around 1590 and comes from Greek. Coined by Sir Philip Sidney around 1590 for a character in his romance "Arcadia", from Greek "pan" (all) and "meli" (honey).

Is “Pamela” a common word?

“Pamela” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Where does the name "Pamela" come from?

"Pamela" was coined by the poet Philip Sidney in the 16th century, drawing on Greek elements meaning "all sweetness." It was invented as a literary name rather than evolving gradually from older naming traditions.

What is the difference between "Pamela" and "Pam"?

"Pamela" is the full given name, while "Pam" is its common short form or nickname. Both are used as names in their own right, though "Pamela" is the original, complete form.

Is "Pamela" a modern name or does it have a long history?

"Pamela" has existed since the 16th century, when it was coined by poet Philip Sidney, giving it several centuries of continuous use. Despite its age, it has remained popular enough to still be widely used today.

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