NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Twyla

A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly related to "twilight".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Twyla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Twyla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 9 births.

This profile covers 68 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 89% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 68 living people in the UK are called Twyla. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Twyla ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2020, when 9 girls were registered as Twyla.
  • About 68 living people in the UK are estimated to have Twyla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3015

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2020

9 births

Estimated living

68

2026

Meaning

What does Twyla mean?

The given name Twyla is of uncertain origin, with various theories proposed regarding its derivation. One suggestion is that it stems from the Old English word "twi," meaning "two," possibly indicating a twin birth or a connection to the number two. Another theory traces it back to the Gaelic "tuille," meaning "more" or "additional."

In terms of historical references, the name Twyla does not appear to have any significant mentions in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or early historical records. Its usage as a given name seems to be relatively modern, with the earliest recorded examples dating back to the early 20th century.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Twyla was Twyla Tharp, an American dancer, choreographer, and author born in 1941. She is renowned for her innovative and influential work in modern dance, having choreographed numerous ballets and Broadway productions.

Another notable individual with the name Twyla is Twyla Delgado, an American actress and singer born in 1957. She has appeared in various television shows and movies, including "The Cotton Club" and "New York Undercover."

In the literary world, Twyla Trice Commer is an American author and educator born in 1947. She has written several books, including "The Poetry of Desire" and "Cultivating a Mind to Matter."

Twyla Tharp, an American journalist and author born in 1944, is known for her work on the "Hers" column in The New York Times and her books on feminism and women's issues.

Lastly, Twyla Francois is a Canadian singer and songwriter born in 1991. She has released several albums and gained popularity for her blend of pop, R&B, and soul music.

While the name Twyla may not have a long and deeply rooted historical background, it has been borne by various accomplished individuals across different fields, contributing to its recognition and significance in modern times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Twyla over time

The chart below shows babies named Twyla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Twyla, the clearest high point is 2020. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Twyla
02579200120122024

Decades

Twyla by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Twyla was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2993 39 5
2010s #4731 16 4
2000s #4079 13 3

Related

Names similar to Twyla

FAQ

Twyla: questions and answers

How popular is the name Twyla in the UK right now?

In 2024, Twyla was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Twyla most popular?

The peak year on record was 2020, with 9 babies registered as Twyla in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Twyla?

A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly related to "twilight".

How many people are called Twyla in the UK?

A total of 68 babies have been registered as Twyla across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.