Holding steady.
Popularity of Twain since 1959
Babies named Twain per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1966, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Twain's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 7 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 45 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 14 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Twain is an uncommon given name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1959. It reached its peak popularity in 1976, though even then it was used for fewer than five births. The name has remained stable in its rarity, with no recent ranking. The name is most famous as the pseudonym of the American author and humorist Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens. The literary association gives the name a classic and intellectual aura, but its use as a first name is extremely scarce, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a literary echo. Top states with recorded births are unknown, as the numbers are too small for public release.
The name Twain is primarily known as a surname and given name from English origins. It may derive from the Old English word 'twāgen' meaning 'two', possibly used as a nickname for a twin or a second-born child. Alternatively, it could be an Anglicized form of a similar name from another language. Its use as a first name has been rare, but it gained some recognition due to the writer Mark Twain.
Sibling names for Twain
Names that share Twain's style, for a brother or sister.
