Twila Girl

Popularity: #912 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TWI-lah //ˈtwaɪ.lə//

Origin: English; Native American

Meaning: English: twilight; Native American: a type of flower

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Twila is believed to have originated from the English word "twilight," which refers to the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon. The etymology can be traced back to the Old English term "twīlīc," which means "twilight" or "half-light." This term itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic root *twīlaz, indicating a connection to the concept of dimness or the transitional time between day and night.

The name likely entered common usage in the United States in the 20th century, reflecting a trend of adopting nature-inspired names. Historically, the name Twila does not have notable figures or events associated with it in the same way that many traditional names do.

However, its association with twilight evokes imagery of beauty and calmness, which may have contributed to its appeal. The name's first recorded use in the United States appears in the early 20th century, coinciding with a broader cultural movement that embraced unique and poetic names for girls.

This period saw a rise in names that were inspired by nature and the changing times of day, reflecting a growing interest in individuality and personal expression. Culturally, the name Twila resonates with themes of transition and serenity, embodying the peacefulness associated with twilight.

Its lyrical quality and soft sound may evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, making it a fitting choice for those who appreciate the beauty of the natural world. While Twila does not have a diminutive form that is widely recognized, its phonetic charm allows for affectionate variations in informal contexts.

Overall, Twila stands as a name that captures the essence of a fleeting moment in nature, symbolizing beauty and tranquility.

Famous people named Twila

In this section, you will find notable people named Twila. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Twila who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Twila who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Twila Tharp is a choreographer and dancer best known for Movin' Out, The Times They Are A-Changin', and Come Fly Away.

Twila Paris is a singer-songwriter best known for her contemporary Christian music and albums such as Warrior is a Child, and How Beautiful.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Twila, 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 Twila. 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 Twila was first seen in the United States in 1890.

Twila has ranked as high as #851 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Twila 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 Twila was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Twila (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
NY 6
55%
TX 5
45%

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 Twila.

YearBirths
202438
202329
202234
202125
202022
201923
201830
201721
201624
201522
201423
201327
20127
201128
201016
200919
200811
200725
200612
200523
200420
200321
200215
200116
200019
199920
199821
199729
199612
199516
199414
199318
199232
199117
199029
198926
198825
198727
198625
198543
198440
198360
198247
198153
198071
197972
197868
197781
197678
1975107
1974101
197395
1972108
1971124
1970147
1969132
1968139
1967137
1966157
1965163
1964210
1963229
1962226
1961252
1960304
1959241
1958283
1957213
1956211
1955205
1954178
1953196
1952173
1951177
1950149
1949167
1948170
1947160
1946159
1945129
1944125
1943122
1942144
1941143
1940146
1939143
1938173
1937149
1936170
1935164
1934195
1933189
1932165
1931184
1930166
1929146
1928182
1927188
1926183
1925142
1924160
1923164
1922149
1921135
1920135
1919108
1918117
1917110
191689
1915106
191464
191342
191244
191117
191018
190921
190822
190721
190617
190527
190417
190318
190214
190114
190016
189918
189818
18979
189613
189513
189410
189110
18906