The name Pamela is primarily a female name of English origin that means All Honey, Sweetness.Name invented by Sir Philip Sidney for a poem titled "Arcadia" in the 1580s; used by Samuel Richardson for his novel Pamela in the 1740s. Nickname for Pamela is usually Pam or Pammy. Pamela Anderson, actress. Pam Grier, actress. Pam Dawber, actress.