Tamela

“a variation of the name Tami, derived from Tamara, meaning 'date palm'”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#1564US 2023

636Births / yr

→Stable

7.2kAll-time births

📅 Since 194700.02% of births at peak

How to pronounce Tamela

TAM·EL·uh

/ˈtæm.ˈɛl.ə/ · stress on TAM · 3 syllables

“a variation of the name Tami, derived from Tamara, meaning 'date palm'”

American origin · Girl name

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.

🌿

How else can you spell Tamela?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Tamella

Spelling variant

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

How popular is Tamela right now?

Holding steady — currently #1564 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1950–2023#1564 · Top 1.2%

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2021

2022

2023

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	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Tamela

Best Year1960Rank #494

Peak Count636

Average Rank#3441

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1950 - 202315 years

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:

Mary Susan Linda Karen Donna

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?

Common

TamTamieTamyEla

What names sound and feel like Tamela?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Tamela also consider these

Takela

American · Takela means 'the

Tamula

American · Derived from the

Tammela

Finland · Finnish

Tamyla

American · A modern blend

Taela

American · English

Camela

American · a variant of

Danela

American · God is my

Jakela

American · a variant of

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.