Jamela Girl

Popularity: #941 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jah-MEL-ah //dʒəˈmɛlə//

Origin: Arabic; Hebrew

Meaning: Arabic: 'beautiful'; Hebrew: 'God is gracious'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jamela has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "jamal," which means "beauty" or "grace." This etymology reflects a common linguistic practice in Arabic where names are often derived from positive attributes or qualities. The name has likely passed into English through cultural exchanges and the influence of Arabic-speaking populations, particularly during periods of trade and interaction between the Arab world and Europe, especially during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance when interest in Arabic literature and science surged in the West.

Historically, the name Jamela may not have specific milestones akin to biblical or royal figures, but it aligns with a broader tradition of names that celebrate beauty and virtue in various cultures. The use of names derived from Arabic in English-speaking contexts became more pronounced in the 19th and 20th centuries, coinciding with increased awareness and appreciation of Middle Eastern cultures.

This period saw the translation of significant works from Arabic to European languages, which helped introduce Arabic names and their meanings to a wider audience. Culturally, names like Jamela carry connotations of elegance and charm, resonating with the values of beauty and grace that have been celebrated in various artistic and literary traditions.

The name's melodic quality and positive meaning contribute to its appeal, making it a fitting choice for those who value the attributes it represents. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as Jam or Jami, the name Jamela itself stands as a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural tapestry that shapes personal names across different societies.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jamela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jamela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jamela was first seen in the United States in 1957.

Jamela has ranked as high as #4301 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Jamela has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Jamela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jamela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jamela.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 7 7
2024 9 9
2023 6 6
2022 7 7
2021 10 10
2020 5 5
2018 10 10
2016 6 6
2015 8 8
2014 8 8
2013 8 8
2012 13 13
2011 10 10
2010 6 6
2009 7 7
2008 17 17
2007 19 19
2006 18 18
2005 25 25
2004 21 21
2003 11 11
2002 18 18
2001 24 24
2000 16 16
1999 19 19
1998 26 26
1997 20 20
1996 21 21
1995 30 30
1994 23 23
1993 33 33
1992 29 29
1991 27 27
1990 31 31
1989 31 31
1988 31 31
1987 22 22
1986 35 35
1985 17 17
1984 23 23
1983 22 22
1982 16 16
1981 21 21
1980 17 17
1979 20 20
1978 21 21
1977 26 26
1976 16 16
1975 15 15
1974 13 13
1973 11 11
1972 11 11
1971 6 6
1969 7 7
1967 5 5
1964 5 5
1957 6 6

Top States for Jamela (2005)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
OH 5
100%