Taiwo
Meaningfirst-born twin · Yoruba
Taiwo is an African gender-neutral name meaning “first-born twin”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationTaiwo peaked in 1982, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Taiwo you'd meet today is about 43 years old.
- HistoryTaiwo first shows up in US birth records in 1972, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 53 years since.
US births per million girls, 1976–2025
US births per million boys, 1972–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Taiwo
Taiwo is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “first-born twin”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Taiwo
What does the name Taiwo mean?
Taiwo means “first-born twin” and comes from Yoruba. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Aadhya (“first”), Aarush (“first ray of the sun”), Ahana (“first rays of the sun”) and Primrose (“first rose”).
What is the origin of the name Taiwo?
Taiwo is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Yoruba. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Taiwo a boy or girl name?
Both. Taiwo is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Taiwo?
Taiwo is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2019. It peaked at #8,224 in 1982, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Taiwo?
If you like Taiwo, you might also like Aadhya, Aarush, Ahana and Primrose.
What should I know before naming my baby Taiwo?
Taiwo is an African gender-neutral name meaning “first-born twin”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.