What is it Called When Siblings Are 1 Year Apart?

Okay, so you’ve got siblings, and there’s just one year between you. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: "Oh, you're just one year apart? That's so cute!" But wait, is there a name for this specific kind of sibling closeness? Like, do we have a term for being just a year apart in age? Let's dive into that, and I promise, it's not as straightforward as you'd think.

The Technical Term: Irish Twins

First off, there is a term—though, let me warn you, it's a bit old-fashioned. It's called Irish twins. I know, I know, the name sounds a little strange and definitely has some outdated connotations. But essentially, Irish twins refers to siblings who are born less than a year apart, typically within 12 months.

Now, I don't know about you, but the first time I heard this term, I immediately pictured something out of a history book—maybe an old Irish family with a bunch of kids running around in the hills. It wasn’t until I started digging into it that I realized how much cultural baggage comes with this term. It's one of those phrases that's been around for ages, but it’s somewhat fallen out of favor due to its origins. It was once used to describe the idea of large families, particularly in Irish communities, where having children close together was common. But, as society's understanding of culture and language evolves, so do the connotations of words.

Is "Irish Twins" Still Used Today?

If you’re asking whether it’s still in common use, well, it really depends on where you live. In some parts of the world, the phrase is still thrown around quite casually, while in others, it’s seen as a bit of an outdated term that people avoid due to its potentially insensitive nature. So, while it’s a thing, you probably won’t hear it much outside of certain circles.

I’ve had friends with siblings just a year apart, and we’d joke about how they must have been Irish twins—but I never once heard them refer to it as that themselves. It's just one of those things that's more of a colloquial relic.

How Close Are Irish Twins in Real Life?

If we’re being honest, siblings who are just one year apart tend to have a pretty unique dynamic. They often grow up going through similar life stages at the same time—like both entering middle school or starting high school together. This can make them incredibly close, sometimes to the point of sharing the same group of friends, activities, or even clothes (yes, even as teens... you know who you are).

But of course, this dynamic can have its ups and downs. On one hand, the closeness in age means they have tons of shared experiences, which can lead to a stronger bond. On the other hand, let’s not sugarcoat it—being so close in age can also lead to intense sibling rivalry. There's always that one-upmanship—whether it’s fighting for the last slice of pizza or competing over grades, it can be exhausting.

I remember growing up with a sibling just 18 months older than me, and we’d often end up doing the same things at the same time—like learning to ride bikes, going to school, etc. It was almost like we were in a constant race. I’m not going to lie—there were days when I wanted to wring my sibling’s neck, but there were also days when we’d team up and absolutely crush whatever we were doing together.

What’s the Psychological Impact of Being So Close in Age?

This might surprise you, but there’s actually some interesting psychology behind siblings born so close together. Research suggests that siblings with such a small age gap can develop a sense of competitiveness early on. That’s why Irish twins can often have a very intense relationship, sometimes bordering on rivalry. But this can also foster strong social skills because they’re forced to negotiate, share, and cooperate from an early age.

On the flip side, these siblings might also feel like they’re constantly being compared to each other. It’s a tricky balance between competition and camaraderie, which can shape how they interact with each other as they get older.

Personally, I’ve seen it work in both directions. Some of my closest friends had siblings just a year apart, and they’ve had this deeply bonded relationship—always laughing, always together. Others, however, have struggled with a bit more friction, because of the constant “who’s better at this?” situation.

What About the Parents?

Ah yes, the parents. Let’s not forget about them. Having kids who are so close in age can be a bit of a logistical challenge for parents. For one, you’re looking at potentially having two kids in diapers at the same time or both needing the same amount of attention at school, which could lead to some serious multitasking. And let’s not forget the finances—feeding, clothing, and educating two kids so close in age can feel like a mini-economic crisis, depending on the family’s situation.

But there’s also an upside: these siblings tend to support each other, which can lighten the load for parents. After all, they’re going through the same life stages, which can make them more understanding and less likely to give parents a hard time.

So, Is It Just About the Term or More?

In the end, calling siblings one year apart Irish twins is just a label. The real essence of the relationship comes from the experiences they share. I mean, it’s not about the term at all—it’s about how they support, compete, love, and maybe drive each other crazy. In a way, it’s a unique relationship that can have lasting effects on how siblings interact with the world around them.

If you’re one of those Irish twins, you probably already know the feeling: a mix of rivalry and friendship that only you and your sibling can truly understand. And honestly, that bond—whether it’s called Irish twins or something else—is something really special.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.