What does Tamela mean and where does it come from?
Tamela is a modern name that emerged in the United States, predominantly in the late 20th century. It is considered a variant of Tamara. Tamara has Hebrew origins and means 'date palm,' symbolizing grace and beauty in the Hebrew culture. The name Tamela gained popularity during the 1970s and 1980s,
Cultural significance
Tamela has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of a variation of the name tami, derived from tamara, meaning 'date palm'.
Peak popularity
Reached #493 in 1959 — currently #1564 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Tamela?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Tamela?
Tamela works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Tamela Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Tamela Rose
Floral · soft ending
Tamela Mae
Sweet · timeless
Tamela Claire
French influence · crisp
Tamela Jane
Literary · strong
Tamela Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Tamela right now?
Holding steady — currently #1564 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #1564 | 636 | ▲ up 5 · +3% births |
| 2022 | #1569 | 616 | ▲ up 5 · +5% births |
| 2021 | #1574 | 586 | ▲ up 15216 · +11620% births |
| 2005 | #16790 | 5 | ▼ down 6780 · -44% births |
| 2000 | #10010 | 9 | ▼ down 3975 · -40% births |
| 1995 | #6035 | 15 | ▼ down 2849 · -57% births |
| 1990 | #3186 | 35 | ▼ down 1343 · -43% births |
| 1985 | #1843 | 61 | ▼ down 621 · -44% births |
| 1980 | #1222 | 108 | ▼ down 370 · -31% births |
| 1975 | #852 | 157 | ▼ down 273 · -49% births |
| 1970 | #579 | 308 | ▼ down 14 · +8% births |
| 1965 | #565 | 286 | ▼ down 71 · -25% births |
| 1960 | #494 | 383 | ▲ up 1613 · +1319% births |
| 1955 | #2107 | 27 | ▲ up 1119 · +125% births |
| 1950 | #3226 | 12 | — |
The story of Tamela
Tamela entered American naming records in 1947 and has been in use for over 77 years. With 7,187 total births recorded, Tamela remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #3226 in 1950 to #1564 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Tamela in 1959:
Tamela by decade
Tamela peaked in the 1950s. See all 1950s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1940s | 25 | |
| 1950s | 997 | |
| 1960s ★ | 3,436 | |
| 1970s | 1,736 | |
| 1980s | 674 | |
| 1990s | 226 | |
| 2000s | 74 | |
| 2010s | 19 | |
💎With 7,187 total births, Tamela is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Tamela?
What names sound and feel like Tamela?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Tamela also consider these
Common questions about the name Tamela
What does the name Tamela mean?
Tamela means "a variation of the name Tami, derived from Tamara, meaning 'date palm'" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Tamela?
Tamela is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Tamela?
Tamela originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Tamela?
Tamela is a three-syllable name pronounced T AE1 M EH1 L AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Tamela?
Tamela pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.