Holding steady.
Popularity of Taiwo since 1972
Babies named Taiwo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 | 28 |
| 1980s | 12 | 18 |
| 1990s | 13 | 48 |
| 2000s | 17 | 29 |
| 2010s | 11 | 24 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Taiwo is a Yoruba name with deep cultural significance, traditionally bestowed upon the first-born of twins. Its first recorded use in the United States was in 1972, reflecting African diaspora naming practices. The name reached its peak popularity in 1992, though it has never ranked in the top 1000, indicating a steady but niche usage. The trajectory for Taiwo is stable, showing consistent but low-level adoption over the decades. While no top states are recorded, the name is most common among families with Yoruba heritage, especially in communities with ties to Nigeria and West Africa. Taiwo remains a distinctive choice that honors cultural traditions surrounding twin births.
Taiwo originates from the Yoruba language of West Africa and is traditionally given to the first-born of twins. The name derives from "taiyewo" meaning "taste the world" or "first to see the world," reflecting the cultural belief that the first twin sends the second into the world. In Yoruba tradition, the second twin is named Kehinde.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tai
Variants: Taiyewo, Tayewo
Sibling names for Taiwo
Names that share Taiwo's style, for a brother or sister.
