Twila Girl
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 | |
| TX | 5 |
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.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2007 | 25 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 1999 | 20 |
| 1998 | 21 |
| 1997 | 29 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 18 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1989 | 26 |
| 1988 | 25 |
| 1987 | 27 |
| 1986 | 25 |
| 1985 | 43 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1983 | 60 |
| 1982 | 47 |
| 1981 | 53 |
| 1980 | 71 |
| 1979 | 72 |
| 1978 | 68 |
| 1977 | 81 |
| 1976 | 78 |
| 1975 | 107 |
| 1974 | 101 |
| 1973 | 95 |
| 1972 | 108 |
| 1971 | 124 |
| 1970 | 147 |
| 1969 | 132 |
| 1968 | 139 |
| 1967 | 137 |
| 1966 | 157 |
| 1965 | 163 |
| 1964 | 210 |
| 1963 | 229 |
| 1962 | 226 |
| 1961 | 252 |
| 1960 | 304 |
| 1959 | 241 |
| 1958 | 283 |
| 1957 | 213 |
| 1956 | 211 |
| 1955 | 205 |
| 1954 | 178 |
| 1953 | 196 |
| 1952 | 173 |
| 1951 | 177 |
| 1950 | 149 |
| 1949 | 167 |
| 1948 | 170 |
| 1947 | 160 |
| 1946 | 159 |
| 1945 | 129 |
| 1944 | 125 |
| 1943 | 122 |
| 1942 | 144 |
| 1941 | 143 |
| 1940 | 146 |
| 1939 | 143 |
| 1938 | 173 |
| 1937 | 149 |
| 1936 | 170 |
| 1935 | 164 |
| 1934 | 195 |
| 1933 | 189 |
| 1932 | 165 |
| 1931 | 184 |
| 1930 | 166 |
| 1929 | 146 |
| 1928 | 182 |
| 1927 | 188 |
| 1926 | 183 |
| 1925 | 142 |
| 1924 | 160 |
| 1923 | 164 |
| 1922 | 149 |
| 1921 | 135 |
| 1920 | 135 |
| 1919 | 108 |
| 1918 | 117 |
| 1917 | 110 |
| 1916 | 89 |
| 1915 | 106 |
| 1914 | 64 |
| 1913 | 42 |
| 1912 | 44 |
| 1911 | 17 |
| 1910 | 18 |
| 1909 | 21 |
| 1908 | 22 |
| 1907 | 21 |
| 1906 | 17 |
| 1905 | 27 |
| 1904 | 17 |
| 1903 | 18 |
| 1902 | 14 |
| 1901 | 14 |
| 1900 | 16 |
| 1899 | 18 |
| 1898 | 18 |
| 1897 | 9 |
| 1896 | 13 |
| 1895 | 13 |
| 1894 | 10 |
| 1891 | 10 |
| 1890 | 6 |