Is Pam a boy's or girl's name?

Pam is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 23 recorded births.

When was Pam most popular?

Pam reached its peak popularity in 1959 with 3,677 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Pam?

Pam is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 33,125 babies in the U.S. since 1915. Its peak was in 1959.

Pam

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysNot ranked recently Also a pet name

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the female given name Pamela.

Pam is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, a diminutive of Pamela, a name invented by the poet Sir Philip Sidney in his 1590 prose romance Arcadia, possibly combining the Greek words for 'all' and 'honey.'

Pam was at its most popular in the 1950s and 60s when diminutives were fashionable as standalone names. Pam Beesly from The Office is perhaps the most beloved fictional Pam of the modern era, making the name feel both retro and quietly endearing.

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Popularity Over Time

Pam has 65+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Pam
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1990s	26	#12772	▼
1980s	144	#6160	▼
1970s	1,126	#1656	▼
1960s	17,109	#262	▲
1950s	11,235	#398	▲
1940s	3,357	#505	▲
1930s	116	#2842	▲
1920s	7	#4186	▲
1910s	5	#4806	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(65 years, 1915–1996)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Pam
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1996	5	#15216	0
1992	5	#14889	-1 (-16.7%)
1991	6	#12646	-4 (-40.0%)
1990	10	#8335	+4 (66.7%)
1989	6	#11905	-7 (-53.8%)
1988	13	#6156	+3 (30.0%)
1987	10	#7189	+1 (11.1%)
1986	9	#7556	+1 (12.5%)
1985	8	#8091	-9 (-52.9%)
1984	17	#4442	-1 (-5.6%)
1983	18	#4234	-7 (-28.0%)
1982	25	#3391	+11 (78.6%)
1981	14	#5165	-10 (-41.7%)
1980	24	#3472	-5 (-17.2%)
1979	29	#2973	-3 (-9.4%)
1978	32	#2661	-6 (-15.8%)
1977	38	#2366	+4 (11.8%)
1976	34	#2422	-19 (-35.8%)
1975	53	#1771	-21 (-28.4%)
1974	74	#1395	-46 (-38.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Pam as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Pam has also been given to 23 boys in the U.S. since 1957.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1960

Peak year

Compare Pam as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Pam be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Pam is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it is not currently ranked. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Pam has two lives

Pam, the baby name

Raregirls

33,125 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1915–1996) · Methodology

Pam