Twyla Girl

Popularity: #892 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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

Origin: English; American

Meaning: Twilight; dusk

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Twyla is believed to have originated in the United States during the 20th century, with its roots linked to the English word "twilight," which denotes the soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon. The etymology suggests a connection to the Old English term "twi-" meaning "two" or "half," combined with "light," reflecting the transitional time of day.

This connection to twilight evokes imagery of beauty and mystery, contributing to the name's appeal. Historically, the name Twyla gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s, when it was popularized by American culture, including literature and the arts.

One notable figure associated with the name is Twyla Tharp, an influential American dancer and choreographer who emerged in the 1960s, further embedding the name within the cultural landscape of the time. While Twyla does not have extensive historical references like some older names, its emergence coincided with a period of artistic innovation and exploration in the United States.

Culturally, Twyla carries connotations of grace and creativity, often associated with the arts due to its connection to figures like Tharp. The name's association with twilight also lends it a sense of tranquility and beauty, resonating with themes of transition and change.

Although diminutive forms are not widely recognized, the name's unique sound and imagery have contributed to its lasting presence in American naming practices.

Famous people named Twyla

In this section, you will find notable people named Twyla. 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 Twyla who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Twyla 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.

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

Twyla Paris is a singer and songwriter best known for her albums Blue Ice and The Warrior Is a Child.

Fictional characters named Twyla

The following list of fictional characters named Twyla is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Twyla is a fictional character from the animated television series Monster High. She is a student at Monster High and is known for her unique style and love of music.

Sibling suggestions

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

TessaTyraTaliaTaraTamsin

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Twyla. 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.

TaliaTyraTaraTessaTawnyTansyTawnie

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Twyla was first seen in the United States in 1905.

Twyla has ranked as high as #1286 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in Iowa, Texas, California, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Twyla 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 Twyla 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 Twyla.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 56 56
2024 40 40
2023 58 58
2022 60 60
2021 58 58
2020 30 30
2019 31 31
2018 21 21
2017 33 33
2016 27 27
2015 25 25
2014 33 33
2013 20 20
2012 25 25
2011 28 28
2010 33 33
2009 34 34
2008 17 17
2007 18 18
2006 13 13
2005 30 30
2004 26 26
2003 31 31
2002 22 22
2001 20 20
2000 24 24
1999 21 21
1998 21 21
1997 20 20
1996 27 27
1995 15 15
1994 26 26
1993 30 30
1992 32 32
1991 25 25
1990 32 32
1989 39 39
1988 40 40
1987 50 50
1986 52 52
1985 38 38
1984 65 65
1983 62 62
1982 55 55
1981 60 60
1980 71 71
1979 96 96
1978 83 83
1977 96 96
1976 89 89
1975 78 78
1974 78 78
1973 73 73
1972 92 92
1971 106 106
1970 115 115
1969 113 113
1968 105 105
1967 101 101
1966 99 99
1965 120 120
1964 194 194
1963 137 137
1962 142 142
1961 155 155
1960 167 167
1959 142 142
1958 140 140
1957 152 152
1956 147 147
1955 121 121
1954 118 118
1953 100 100
1952 116 116
1951 103 103
1950 105 105
1949 93 93
1948 73 73
1947 93 93
1946 72 72
1945 60 60
1944 64 64
1943 62 62
1942 50 50
1941 69 69
1940 57 57
1939 75 75
1938 67 67
1937 64 64
1936 66 66
1935 59 59
1934 59 59
1933 68 68
1932 61 61
1931 64 64
1930 73 73
1929 61 61
1928 50 50
1927 62 62
1926 47 47
1925 65 65
1924 54 54
1923 53 53
1922 45 45
1921 42 42
1920 42 42
1919 39 39
1918 38 38
1917 23 23
1916 33 33
1915 28 28
1914 17 17
1913 7 7
1912 14 14
1911 5 5
1910 8 8
1909 6 6
1908 7 7
1907 8 8
1906 6 6
1905 6 6

Top States for Twyla (2023)

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
CA 7
100%