Twila Girl

Popularity: #904 · 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.

TessaTaliaTaraTinaTamsin

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.

TwylaTildaTaliaTaraTinaTessaTawnyTamsin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Twila was first seen in the United States in 1890.

Twila has ranked as high as #1001 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas.

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.

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 Total Births Girl
2025 44 44
2024 39 39
2023 29 29
2022 34 34
2021 25 25
2020 22 22
2019 23 23
2018 30 30
2017 21 21
2016 24 24
2015 22 22
2014 23 23
2013 27 27
2012 7 7
2011 28 28
2010 16 16
2009 19 19
2008 11 11
2007 25 25
2006 12 12
2005 23 23
2004 20 20
2003 21 21
2002 15 15
2001 16 16
2000 19 19
1999 20 20
1998 21 21
1997 29 29
1996 12 12
1995 16 16
1994 14 14
1993 18 18
1992 32 32
1991 17 17
1990 29 29
1989 26 26
1988 25 25
1987 27 27
1986 25 25
1985 43 43
1984 40 40
1983 60 60
1982 47 47
1981 53 53
1980 71 71
1979 72 72
1978 68 68
1977 81 81
1976 78 78
1975 107 107
1974 101 101
1973 95 95
1972 108 108
1971 124 124
1970 147 147
1969 132 132
1968 139 139
1967 137 137
1966 157 157
1965 163 163
1964 210 210
1963 229 229
1962 226 226
1961 252 252
1960 304 304
1959 241 241
1958 283 283
1957 213 213
1956 211 211
1955 205 205
1954 178 178
1953 196 196
1952 173 173
1951 177 177
1950 149 149
1949 167 167
1948 170 170
1947 160 160
1946 159 159
1945 129 129
1944 125 125
1943 122 122
1942 144 144
1941 143 143
1940 146 146
1939 143 143
1938 173 173
1937 149 149
1936 170 170
1935 164 164
1934 195 195
1933 189 189
1932 165 165
1931 184 184
1930 166 166
1929 146 146
1928 182 182
1927 188 188
1926 183 183
1925 142 142
1924 160 160
1923 164 164
1922 149 149
1921 135 135
1920 135 135
1919 108 108
1918 117 117
1917 110 110
1916 89 89
1915 106 106
1914 64 64
1913 42 42
1912 44 44
1911 17 17
1910 18 18
1909 21 21
1908 22 22
1907 21 21
1906 17 17
1905 27 27
1904 17 17
1903 18 18
1902 14 14
1901 14 14
1900 16 16
1899 18 18
1898 18 18
1897 9 9
1896 13 13
1895 13 13
1894 10 10
1891 10 10
1890 6 6

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. 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
NY 6
55%
TX 5
45%