"the great beast, tiger"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Tiger
Pronunciation: [ t-EYEG-er ]
Does Tiger flow with your last name?
Fierce and memorable, a name that roars with power
English
American
Chinese
Bold
Strong
Unique
Playful
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Tiger
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"the fast one, arrow"
Origin: Old Iranian
Language: Persian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with golfer Tiger Woods, especially after his personal scandals (since 2009)
The Story of Tiger
Tiger comes from the Greek 'tigris' and Latin 'tigris,' borrowed from an Old Iranian word meaning the fast one or arrow. The tiger has been a symbol of power, courage, and ferocity across Asian and Western cultures for millennia. As a given name, it's bold and unconventional.
Tiger as a given name became widely recognized through golfer Tiger Woods, born Eldrick Woods but nicknamed Tiger by his father. The name sees occasional use among parents who want something fierce and memorable, though Tiger Woods's 2009 scandals created complex associations.
In Chinese culture, the tiger is one of the twelve zodiac animals and symbolizes power, bravery, and courage. Children born in the Year of the Tiger are believed to be natural leaders. The white tiger is considered especially auspicious.
Historical Record
Tiger first appeared in US Social Security records in 1962.
Over 1,217 babies have been named Tiger in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tiger is past its peak , currently ranked #4,366 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tiger Woods's father Earl nicknamed him Tiger after a Vietnamese soldier friend
- In Chinese astrology, those born in the Year of the Tiger are considered fierce, ambitious, and magnetic leaders
Tiger in Other Languages
Hindi
बाघ (Bāgh)
Arabic
نمر
Chinese
虎 (Hǔ)
Spanish
Tigre
Japanese
タイガー
Popularity Over Time
#4,366
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1998
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tiger
T
Tiger Woods
Athlete
1975
American professional golfer considered one of the greatest of all time, with 15 major championships
T
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,366
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- English American Chinese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ty
Tig
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tiger
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Tiger is also used as a girl name, ranked #12433.
View Tiger as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tiger
What does the name Tiger mean?
"the great beast, tiger" (from Greek). "the fast one, arrow" (from Old Iranian). Tiger comes from the Greek 'tigris' and Latin 'tigris,' borrowed from an Old Iranian word meaning the fast one or arrow. The tiger has been a symbol of power, courage, and ferocity across Asian and Western cultures for millennia. As a given name, it's bold and unconventional.
What is the origin of the name Tiger?
Tiger has Greek, Old Iranian, English, American, and Chinese origins. In Greek, it means "the great beast, tiger". In Old Iranian, it means "the fast one, arrow".
Is Tiger a boy or girl name?
Tiger is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4366. As a girl name, it is ranked #12433. Tiger is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Tiger?
Tiger is pronounced t-EYEG-er.
How popular is the name Tiger?
Tiger is currently ranked #4366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tiger?
Common nicknames for Tiger include Tig.
What are good middle names for Tiger?
Popular middle name pairings include Tiger James, Tiger Lee, Tiger Blaze, Tiger Rex, Tiger River, and Tiger Cole.
What are good sibling names for Tiger?
Names that pair well with Tiger as siblings include Phoenix, Bear, Raven, Coyote, Willow, and Jade.
How many syllables does Tiger have?
Tiger has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tiger a common or rare name?
Tiger is an uncommon name, ranked #4366 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Tiger
Tiger is a boy name with English, American, and Chinese origins . The name means "the great beast, tiger" in Greek .
Is Tiger a boy or girl name? Tiger is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,366 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,433. Tiger is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tiger is currently ranked #4,366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tiger has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-EYEG-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tiger include Ty and Tig. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis