In my personal experience, I would say that Twila is indeed a rare name. Growing up, I had never come across anyone else with the same name as me. It was always a bit of a conversation starter when people would ask about my name and comment on how unique it was.
Even when I started school and met new people, I was often the only Twila they had ever encountered. This made me feel special and somewhat different from my peers. I enjoyed having a name that stood out and sparked curiosity.
As I got older and began to explore the history and popularity of my name, I discovered that Twila had never been a widely used name. It had its peak years from the 1920s to the 1960s, but even then, it was never considered a common or popular choice.
Looking at the statistics, Twila was consistently ranked in the Top 1000 names in the United States from 1880 through 1970. While it may not have been at the top of the charts, it had a steady presence throughout those years. Twyla, a similar name, also charted from 1925 through 1965.
However, it is worth noting that being rare does not necessarily mean being completely unheard of. There have been notable women named Twila, including Ohio politician Twyla Roman. These instances show that while the name may not be widely used, there have been individuals who have made their mark with this distinctive name.
Based on my own experiences and the historical data, I would confidently say that Twila is indeed a rare name. It may not be as well-known or commonly used as other names, but its uniqueness adds a certain charm and individuality to those who bear it.