The baby name Twila sounds like so many current favorites, but could be the perfect, under-the-radar name for a daughter now.
Thanks to Tracy for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day
WHAT DOES THE NAME TWILA MEAN?
There’s more than one possible origin for the baby name Twila:
- The obvious explanation: Twila comes from twilight, just drop the -ight and add an A.
- Some suggest it’s based on the French word for star – étoile. If that sounds like a stretch, consider the long history of French-speaking Americans, also called Cajuns, in the United States. Drop the first syllable – ay – emphasize the “twal” in the middle, and add an ending A sound and … it’s almost there.
- Especially when spelled Twyla, some connect it to a word meaning two, double-stitched, or strong. It might come from twile – a Middle English word that became our word twill – woven with double thread.
FAMOUS FIGURES
Possibly the most famous bearer of the name is dance legend Twyla Tharp.
A ground-breaking innovator in the world of dance, Tharp studied art history and dance, under Martha Grahamand other leading artists. She joined the Paul TaylorDance Company in 1963, and broke out to establish her own company just two years later. The rest is history. Tharp has racked up every kind of award imaginable and written several bestsellers about the creative process.
The story of her unusual first name is oft-repeated. Tharp was born in Indiana in 1941. Her expectant parents visited the Muncie Fair, where Miss TwilaThornburg had been crowned Pig Princess. Creative names ran in the Tharp family. Her mother’s name was Lecile, and her younger sister was Twanette. Some reports indicate that Lecile changed the spelling from Twila to Twyla because Twyla would look better on a marquee, but both spellings were in use in the 1940s.
More places you might’ve heard the name Twyla or Twila in the 20th century:
- All-American Girls Professional Baseball Leaguer Twila Shively, once called the “HedyLamarr of softball.”
- Songwriter, and long-time collaborator with Lou Christie, Twyla Herbert. Among their many hits? “Egyptian Shumba” by the Tammys and the oft-covered “Lightning Strikes.”
- Ohio politician Twyla Roman.
- If you follow the Adult Contemporary Christian charts, you’ll recognize Twila Paris, who fared especially well int he 1980s and 90s.
- Twila Tanner was a runner-up on the granddaddy of reality shows, Survivor, back in 2004.
21st CENTURY TWILA
That takes us right in to the 21st century and smash hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek. The tale of a wealthy family who loses everything except a home in a tiny town with an eyebrow-raising name, the show debuted in 2015.
Father-son team Eugene and Dan Levy played father-son characters Johnny and David Rose. Another Levy family member, Eugene’s daughter Sarah, also had a supporting role. She played the town’s cafe waitress, Twyla.
Given the runaway popularity of the television series, at least some parents must’ve noticed the name.
After all, Twyla rhymes with Top 100 favorites like Isla, Lyla, and Delilah.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME TWILA?
Let’s look at both spellings:
- Twila ranked in the US Top 1000 name from 1880 through 1970. It peaked in 1934 at #464.
- Twyla charted from 1925 through 1965. The name peaked at #750 in 1964.
While Twyla and Twila might fit with current trends, neither spelling of the time is particularly common now. In fact, they’re equally rare. In the year 2024, 38 girls were named Twila-with-an-I, plus another 38 called Twyla-with-a-Y.
Even combining the two spellings makes this a rare name, indeed.
NIGHT SKY NAME WITH STYLE
The baby name Twila blends bohemian style with a sort of vintage glam. It’s like Luna, with the volume turned way up. Stella, but even bolder.
The Tw- sound is so completely unexpected that nearly nothing else sounds similar. If you’re looking for a brief, but surprising choice for a daughter, Twila might be the perfect name for your family.
What do you think of the baby name Twila?
First published on May 1, 2012, this post was revised on October 31, 2013 and again on April 15, 2026.
I love my name. I am one of the only Twilas I know. Only a few much older ppl have said “I knew a Twila in school” I think I may be the youngest one lol. I get compliments all the time on my name. BTW I am a well paid artists so good call the “artsy and edgy” comment. I keep trying to get this name to spread a little. But it’s ok If it doesn’t Twilas are unique and truely one of a kind.
Had to comment regarding the Twilight series. Unfortunately, yes, that is people’s first thought when they heard my name now! =( Used to be people asked if my parents were hippies. Not anymore. Its honestly making me dread telling people my name, whereas I used to really enjoy the reactions since it is so unpopular right now.
I just discovered Twila / Twyla, and like it for all the reasons you described. She sounds artsy, and fits right in, but is hardly ever used. She also has trendy astrological origins. The Twila spelling peaked in the 1930’s, and I personally like a lot of names from that period.
To me, Twila is sort of like Farrah. Both names are unusual in usage, but don’t have an unusual sound.
I prefer Twila, which I would seriously consider if I was to have any more kids. Twila seems elegant and vintage and is obviously connected to the word Twilight, which is a nice time of day.
Twyla looks a little forced to me, and also peaked in the 1960’s, making it seem too retro for my tastes. But as you pointed out, Myla, Kyla, Lyla, Nyla, and Skyla are all in the top 1000 indicating a market for -yla ending names.
Funny, I see Twila and my brain says, “But Twyla Tharp spelled it with a y!” But I agree with you about Twila/Farrah … great names that unusual but not weird.
I am a Twila, born in 1962. I was named Twila because I was born at 12:36 am, which is considered the “twilight” hour. It is pronounced with a long i. I am proud that I have had the name long before the twilight series although I don’t mind that people relate the name to it. The only thing that annoys me about it is that even the most educated people don’t understand how to pronounce it. Lets think about this, how many people would name their little girl so that it sounded like a variation of a string (Twilla)? Of course it won’t sound pretty with a short I. If I wrote it with two L’s, yes, call me Twilla. Otherwise isn’t it obvious that it is a long I? I typically praise anyone that says it correctly because it is rare that anyone does. I was erased as a child about my name and I hated it. I now appreciate that is different. ❤️
I am a Twila born in 1940. I hated my name as a child as it was so odd. Now I love it. People still call me Twilla and I am sure to correct them as it upsets me they can’t read the lone L. My mother said she just liked the name. Was looking on here to see what the name means.
I have a real soft spot for Twila. With the popularity of the Twilight franchise, I’m surprised I’ve not seen more of it.
Honestly, this is one of the “hick-iest” names ever to me. I just don’t like the sound at all.
I love Twila. I read somewhere that Twila is actually a Cajun name, being a kind of bastardization of the French, Etoile, which you have already mentioned.
I have a neighbor who is both Cajun and something of a name nerd … I keep meaning to ask if that one is true, but I haven’t had a second. Which reminds me, if their last child had been a girl, their top name pick was Ayla, rhymes with Twyla …
I was given a Twila Paris cassette tape while younger and was completely fascinated by her name. It’s not an appellation that would ever go on my lists of favourites, but I’d love for its use to become more widespread. The information you provided about possible meanings is fascinating.
The name looks pretty, but how do you pronounce it? Hard i or soft i?
Long I, because there is only one L. If it were short I you would have two L’s. Like twill. I know because my name is Twila and I have had the name for 53 years.
Amen. Had mine for 77 years and it’s a shame more people don”t know what they learned in school. I am Twila, not “Twilla” which sounds to me like I’m a bird.
Twila/Twyla was a favorite of mine until the Twilight franchise hit. Now I wonder if people would link the name with the books and movies. Still, it makes for an interesting choice, and the letter T is rather underused.
Nice name, sort of has a whimsical feel to it but it sort of, loosely reminds me of the name Tuala (means princess of the people) which I first heard in a book. In my head throughout the book I pronounced it Twa la, yet when researched it was Too a la which is a pity because I really liked it. ^^
It is Tw eye lah.