Tamela
Every Tamela since 1947 — 7,186 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tamela
Tamela is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1947, 7,186 American babies have been named Tamela. Its peak came in 1959, when 390 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Tamela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tamela year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,476 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #16,344 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 7 | #14,695 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 5 | #20,156 |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,312 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,548 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18,893 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,646 |
| 2003 | 9 | #11,234 |
| 2002 | 9 | #11,008 |
| 2001 | 11 | #9,295 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,657 |
| 1995 | 15 | #6,233 |
| 1990 | 35 | #3,220 |
| 1985 | 61 | #1,854 |
| 1980 | 108 | #1,226 |
| 1975 | 157 | #857 |
| 1970 | 308 | #579 |
| 1965 | 286 | #565 |
| 1960 | 383 | #494 |
| 1955 | 27 | #2,101 |
| 1950 | 12 | #3,216 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Tamela in 2025?
Tamela did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Tamela?
7,186 babies have been named Tamela in the United States since 1947, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tamela most popular?
Tamela peaked in 1959, when 390 newborns received the name.
Is Tamela a boy or girl name?
Tamela is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Tamela rising or falling?
Tamela is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.