Twig
A diminutive term for a slender branch or shoot.
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Twig. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Twig today is around 67 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Twig births was 1955 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Twig. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Twig is about 67 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Twigs were born before 1969.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Twig. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1955
5 babies that year
Average age
67
years old
1955 SSA rank
#4,359
Tracked since 1955
Popularity
Twig: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Twig by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Twig during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Twig
The name Twig is an English word derived from the Old English term "twigg," which refers to a small, slender shoot or branch of a tree or shrub. This name's origin can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD, when it was likely used as a descriptive nickname or surname.
While the name Twig does not have a direct connection to any ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been inspired by the natural world and the symbolism associated with twigs. In many cultures, twigs have been associated with growth, renewal, and the cycle of life, as they represent the new growth of plants and trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Twig dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in historical records as a surname. However, its use as a given name is relatively modern and gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Twig, although it remains a relatively uncommon name. One such person was Twig Newton (1901-1976), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in the 1920s and 1930s.
Another notable bearer of the name was Twig Walmsley (1920-2000), a British actor who appeared in various television shows and films, including "The Avengers" and "A Clockwork Orange." He was known for his distinctive appearance and often played eccentric or quirky characters.
In the literary world, there was Twig Johnson (1909-1978), an American author and journalist who wrote several books and articles about the American West and Native American culture. His most famous work was the novel "Bargaining for Broken Rainbows," published in 1965.
The name Twig has also been associated with the arts, as exemplified by Twig Harper (1927-2008), an American painter and sculptor known for his abstract expressionist works. His sculptures were often made from found objects and natural materials, reflecting his connection to nature and the environment.
Lastly, Twig McGowan (1939-2018) was an American musician and songwriter who was part of the folk revival movement in the 1960s. He wrote and performed songs that addressed social and political issues of the time, and his music was influenced by traditional folk styles.
These individuals, spanning various fields and time periods, exemplify the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who have carried the unique name Twig throughout history.
People
Twig + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Twig as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Twig: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Twig?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Twig going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Twig a common name?
We classify Twig as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Twig most popular?
The single biggest year for Twig was 1955, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Twig is about 67 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Twig in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Twig a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Twig in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Twig still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Twig in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Twig can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Twig?
If you just want to know how many Americans are named Twig, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.