200+ Tiger Names and Meanings from Around the World

Quick Take

• Tigers are orange for a surprisingly scientific reason, and that same biology also explains why some tigers are white.
• A Hawaiian word made famous by a Disney movie might be the perfect tiger name, though you would never guess what it actually means.
• Some of the most powerful tiger names don't come from English at all, with their origins spanning languages you'd never expect. Explore powerful tiger names →
• Naming a tiger after its coat color goes deeper than 'orange,' with a whole spectrum hiding in those stripes. See orange coat names →

Few people own a tiger, but zookeepers, rescuers, or conservationists may be looking a tiger name as unique as their stripes! You can also name your tiny “house tiger” one of these big cat names. Whether you’re looking for a nature-themed name like Willow, something sweet like Adora, or a strong name like Wyatt, this list has you covered. Explore our carefully selected list of tiger names from around the world, along with their meanings.

Wilderness-Themed Tiger Names

Wilderness-themed names are both beautiful and impactful. These names are all about connecting big cats to all things nature. Asia honors where most tigers come from. Then there are also fun, safari-themed names like Sundowner or Bush.

Here are some of the best wilderness-inspired tiger names:

• Aqua: A name that celebrates the tiger’s love of swimming
• Bandicoot: Marsupial native to Australia and Southeast Asia
• Bramble: A prickly shrub
• Bushbaby: A small, nocturnal primate found in African forests
• Cave: Underground chamber
• Croc: Short for crocodile
• Desert: As in a desert environment
• Gnawer: An animal that nibbles or gnaws
• Jacaranda: A gorgeous tropical tree with violet-blue flowers
• Kapel: A small chapel or shrine in nature
• Komodo: Referring to the Komodo dragon
• Lahu: A tribe of people living in the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia
• Macapa: A city in Brazil, often associated with the Amazon rainforest region
• Mokoro: A traditional dugout canoe
• Moonglade: The reflection of the moon on water
• Mopane: A type of tree native to southern Africa
• Outback: The remote inland regions of Australia
• Peiskos: The feeling of warmth and comfort experienced fireside
• Rainy: As in rainforest
• River: Can also be named after a famous river like the Nile
• Savanna: A tropical grassland
• Serengeti: A vast, grassy plain in Tanzania
• Sundowner: Happy hour on a safari, a drink enjoyed as the sun sets
• Tigerwood: Gorgeous striped hardwood
• Volcano: Alternative names include Ash and Magma
• Willow: A graceful tree with drooping branches, often found near water
• Woodnote: Natural forest sounds, like the sound of wind blowing through trees

Heartfelt Tiger Names

Love-themed names are perfect for showing off how much you care about animals, or to let others know about your tiger’s big heart. You may also want to choose names that don’t directly mean love, but still tie into a warm loving feeling. Take “Ohana,” for instance. Made popular by Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch,” Ohana is a Hawaiian term that means family. It’s the perfect name for a tiger of any size who has won a place in your heart. The list below includes love-themed names from many languages.

Here are some of the most endearing tiger names:

• Adora: A gift
• Adoree: Adored
• Agapi: Love, affection
• Aiko: Little loved one
• Aloha: Love or compassion
• Amadeus: Lover of God
• Amanda: Worthy of love
• Amandy: Fit to be loved, lovable
• Amara: Grace, immortal, tribe
• Amedee: God’s love
• Amia: Beloved
• Amias: Loved
• Amika: Loved friend
• Amor: Love
• Amoretta: Little love
• Amorina: Love
• Amoura: Love
• Amy: Beloved
• Amy: Beloved one
• Anchoret: Much Loved
• Angharad: Much loved
• Annabelle: Loving
• Annwyll: Loved one
• Aroha: Love
• Asmara: Love
• Asthore: Loved One
• Aziza: Powerful and loved
• Caera: Darling
• Calandra: Lovely one
• Caralie: Cherished friend
• Carys: Loved one
• Cerys: Love
• Cheryl: Special one
• Cordelia: Heart; daughter of the sea
• Daralice: Beloved
• Dariela: Loved one, dear one
• David: Beloved
• Davinia: Loved by God
• Eros: Desire
• Esme: My darling, loved one
• Ines: Pure, virginal
• Kendi: One who is greatly loved
• Lev: heart, lion, and lion heart
• Love: Gets straight to the point
• Ludmila: Loved by the people
• Mabel: Lovable
• Maryam: Drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved
• Mila: Gracious; dear
• Milada: Love, favor, and grace
• Milena: Love, warmth, grace
• Myfanwy: My lovely little one
• Nayeli: I love you
• Philip: Lover of horses
• Philomena: To love or friend
• Pippa: Lover of horses
• Priya: Beloved
• Rhys: Ardor
• Sade: Gift of love
• Suki: Beloved
• Tindara: Willing to love
• Venus: Roman goddess of love
• Vida: Beloved, life

Names for Large and in Charge Tigers

For a tiger who likes to be in charge, consider going with a title like Godric, which means “God’s ruler.” Warrick is another solid name, and it means “leader who defends.”

Take a peek at these tiger names that honor how impressive these big cats are:

• Aiden: Little fire
• Alexander: Defending man
• Amell: Power of an eagle
• Anders: Manly strength
• Andrew: Manly
• Ansaldo: Power, leader, ruler
• Augustus: Great, magnificent
• Barrett: Brave as a bear
• Burke: Fortress
• Chase: Hunter
• Conrad: Brave counsel
• Denzel: High stronghold
• Dustin: Thor’s stone
• Ebert: Brave boar
• Ethan: Solid, enduring, firm
• Farrell: Man of valor
• Farris: Man of courage
• Ferguson: Vigor and courage
• Gabriel: Strong man, hero
• Godric: God’s ruler
• Henry: Ruler
• Hudson: Brave ruler
• Idris: Ardent lord, leader
• Jason: Healer
• Kendrick: Royal power
• Leo: Lion
• Liam: Desire, protection
• Maverick: Independent one
• Michael: One who is like God
• Oswald: Power, ruler
• Peter: Stone
• Sewell: Strong sea, ruling sea
• Tedmond: Protector of the land
• Victor: Conqueror
• Warrick: Leader who defends
• William: Protection
• Wyatt: Battle, brave, hardy

Orange Themed Names

Why are tigers orange? Tigers make the pigment pheomelanin, which produces this big cat’s famous color. A lack of pheomelanin is why some tigers are white. The tiger’s orange coat looks greenish or brownish to their prey, allowing tigers to blend right into the forest.

Below is a list of alphabetically arranged orange-themed tiger names with meanings: 

• Alani: Hawaiian name meaning “precious” or “orange tree.”
• Amber: English word derived from Arabic ʿanbar, which originally referred to ambergris, a waxy substance from sperm whales; now used to denote fossilized tree resin.
• Anatole: Meaning “rising sun.”
• Apollo: God of light, music, poetry, prophecy, and healing in Greek mythology.
• Aranchi: Name in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• Asahi: Japanese word that means “morning sun.”
• Aurora: Latin word meaning “dawn.”
• Azahar: Arabic word referring to orange blossoms.
• Cayenne: Named after the spicy red-orange cayenne pepper.
• Dahlia: A type of orange flower.
• Fire: Celebrates the power of a fire.
• Ginger: Named after the orange spice.
• Honey: Perfect for sweet tigers.
• Kirros: Greek name meaning orange.
• Kinneret: Hebrew word for orange.
• Kitsuo: Japanese name meaning orange or tangerine.
• Marigold: Old-fashioned English name.
• Melina: Greek word that means “honey.”
• Mikan: Japanese word meaning orange.
• Narangi: Sanskrit for orange.
• Nerënxa: Albanian word referring to bitter oranges.
• Nerola: Italian word which translates to “orange blossom.”
• Neroli: Refers to orange blossom trees from Italy.
• Orenji: Japanese word for “orange.”
• Oriane: French word that means sunrise.
• Oriol: Latin tiger name meaning “golden” and “the best.”
• Poppy: Flower with red-orange petals.
• Ravi: After the Hindu sun God.
• Rory: Irish tiger name meaning red.
• Rufus: Refers to a brown shade of orange.
• Santara: Indian word that means “tangerine”.
• Sienna: a reddish-brown clay pigment named after the Italian city of Siena, in the Tuscany region.
• Solana: Spanish word for “sunshine”.
• Tawny: Irish tiger name that means golden.
• Topaz: Gorgeous yellow gemstone.
• Yelena: Russian tiger name meaning “shining light.”
• Yuzana: Burmese tiger name meaning “orange jasmine.”

Yellow-Themed Names

Tigers aren’t just orange; due to phaeomelanin, their coats have hints of yellow too! Many tigers have a light-yellow color that blends seamlessly into their famous orange coat. 

Here’s a list of yellow-themed tiger names, listed alphabetically for easy browsing:

• Appolliana: Greek word for the Goddess of the sun.
• Aure: Latin, translates to “Gold.”
• Aurelia: Latin, means “the golden one.”
• Aurus: Latin, means “yellow.”
• Baskara: Indonesian for “the sun”.
• Bert: Character from Sesame Street.
• Beryl: Yellow-green gemstone.
• Bláth: Irish word that means “yellow flower.”
• Blaine: Gaelic and Irish for “yellow”.
• Blaw: English word for “yellow.”
• Bobbie: Of Germanic origin, means “bright shining”.
• Dawn: Celebrating daybreak.
• Daffodil: As in the flower.
• Dior: French, the word for “Gold.”
• Dinnara: Arabic word meaning golden coins.
• Elaine: Greek for “Ray of the sun” or “Shining bright.”
• Eldora: Spanish word for golden, blond, or gift of the sun.
• Elly: Means “light of the sun.”
• Elna: French tiger name, means “shining light” or “sun’s rays”.
• Fawn: Yellow-tan color of a baby deer.
• Flávia: Latin word for “yellow hair.”
• Gialla: Italian word for “yellow.”
• Gilda: Latin for “covered in gold” or “gilded”. 
• Goldie: Celebrating the deep yellow color of gold.
• Gul: Turkish word for “yellow.”
• Gulnaz: Persian word for “yellow flower.”
• Gulshan: Indian word that means “yellow.”
• Helena: An old Greek name that means “the shining one”.
• Hu: Chinese word referring to the stripes of a tiger
• Kahen: Hawaiian word for “yellow.”
• Kelt: Irish word for “yellow.”
• Lily: Can refer to the flower. Also means pure and innocent.
• Lyon: French word for “yellow.”
• Maize: English word for corn.
• Maiz: Spanish word for corn.
• Marigold: As in the golden yellow flower.
• Mina: Greenlandic word referring to a plant with yellow flowers.
• Mirri: Indigenous Australian word meaning the “sun”.
• Orleans: Tiger name that means golden.
• Oron: Hebrew word for “yellow.”
• Orville: French tiger name, means “town filled with golden treasures”.
• Pazu: Japanese word meaning “yellow.”
• Primrose: As in the yellow flower.
• Safran: French word meaning “yellow.”
• Soleil: French name that means “the sun”.
• Sunday: Referring to the day of the week, and the lovely yellow sun.
• Thea: Greek tiger name that means “Goddess of light”.
• Tip: Chinese name that means golden.