Find out how popular the first name Tiger has been for the last 40 years (from 1984 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tiger by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Tiger is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Tiger being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 34 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tiger.

The history of the first name Tiger

The name Tiger is believed to have originated from the English word "tiger," which itself comes from the ancient Greek word "tigris." The word "tigris" refers to the Tigris River, which flows through modern-day Iraq and was once home to tigers in the region.

The name Tiger is thought to have first appeared in the English-speaking world during the 16th century, as Europeans began exploring and colonizing parts of Asia and encountering tigers for the first time. The name was likely given to children to symbolize strength, power, and courage, characteristics associated with the majestic big cat.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Tiger can be found in William Shakespeare's play, "Henry VI, Part 1," written around 1591. In the play, a character named Tiger is mentioned, though it is unclear whether this was a real person or a fictional character.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Tiger. One of the earliest was Tiger Dunlap (1794-1857), an American frontiersman and trapper who lived in the American West during the 19th century.

Another famous Tiger was Tiger Flowers (1895-1927), an American blues musician from Arkansas who helped popularize the Delta blues style in the 1920s.

In the realm of sports, Tiger Woods (born 1975) is undoubtedly the most famous bearer of the name. Woods is a professional golfer who has won numerous major championships and is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Tiger Muñoz (1947-2022) was a Mexican-American artist and activist known for his vibrant murals and advocacy for Chicano rights in Los Angeles.

Tiger Mask (born 1958) is the ring name of Satoru Sayama, a Japanese professional wrestler and martial artist who popularized the Tiger Mask character in the 1980s.

While the name Tiger is not as common as some other English names, its unique and powerful connotations have ensured its enduring appeal across various cultures and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tiger was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tiger, please contact us.

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