101 Baby Girl and Boy Names That Mean Tiger

Picking a name for your baby is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make. If you want something bold, fierce, and full of meaning, names that mean tiger are hard to beat. The tiger stands for courage, strength, protection, and leadership across dozens of cultures worldwide — from ancient China and Japan to Sanskrit texts, Persian poetry, and Korean mythology. Whether you are drawn to a classic Japanese name, a rare Korean gem, or a Sanskrit warrior title, this list has something for every family.

Why Parents Choose Names That Mean Tiger?

The tiger is not just an animal. It is a symbol. In Chinese culture, the tiger is known as the king of all beasts, representing strength, the power to ward off evil, and bravery. In Japanese folklore, the tiger is linked to samurai warriors, symbolizing resilience and honor, and many martial arts schools in Japan use the tiger as a symbol of discipline and power.

The White Tiger is one of Korea’s four guardian deities, protecting the western lands and symbolizing bravery and righteousness, and tigers frequently appear in Korean folk art as guardians of homes. The goddess Durga in Hindu tradition is often depicted riding a tiger, symbolizing her unmatched strength and protection against evil, and the Bengal Tiger is India’s national animal, representing power and royalty.

When you name your child after the tiger, you are giving them a legacy that spans thousands of years and dozens of civilizations. These names carry stories of warriors, emperors, gods, and protectors. That is a powerful gift.

Boy Names That Mean Tiger

#	Name	Origin	Meaning
1	Tora	Japanese	Directly means “tiger” (虎); a classic and simple Japanese choice
2	Hu	Chinese	From 虎 (hǔ) meaning “tiger; brave, fierce”
3	Torahiko	Japanese	“Tiger prince” — from 虎 (tora) “tiger” + 彦 (hiko) “boy, prince”
4	Toraichi	Japanese	“Tiger one” — tora (tiger) + ichi (one); suggests a powerful firstborn
5	Toranosuke	Japanese	“Tiger’s helper” — tora (tiger) + no (possessive) + suke (assistant)
6	Kaplan	Turkish / Bosnian	Directly means “tiger” in Turkish and Bosnian
7	Babur	Persian / Urdu	From Persian, meaning “tiger”; famously the nickname of the founder of the Mughal Empire
8	Vyaghra	Sanskrit	The Sanskrit word for tiger; used in ancient Vedic texts
9	Shardul	Sanskrit / Marathi	Means “tiger” or “leopard, panther” in Sanskrit; a noble warrior name
10	Tipu	Urdu / South Asian	Means “tiger”; famously borne by Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore
11	Sher	Persian / Punjabi / Urdu	Means “tiger” or “lion”; used across Persian, Urdu, and Punjabi cultures
12	Nimr	Arabic	Arabic given name meaning “tiger”
13	Fuhaid	Arabic	Arabic name meaning “tiger”; traditional in Arab Muslim families
14	Biao	Chinese	From 彪 (biāo) meaning “tiger stripes” or “small tiger”; strong and distinctive
15	Bohu	Chinese	From 博虎 — 博 meaning “rich/plentiful” + 虎 meaning “tiger”
16	Chuanhu	Chinese	From 传虎 — “to transmit the tiger’s spirit”; a name of courage
17	Hucheng	Chinese	From 虎城 — “tiger city” or “city of the tiger”
18	Jingbiao	Chinese	From 景彪 — “scenery” + “tiger stripes”; poetic and powerful
19	Qingbiao	Chinese	From 清彪 — “clear and pure” + “tiger stripes”
20	Ho	Korean	From Sino-Korean 虎 meaning “tiger; brave, fierce”; short and strong
21	Hojin	Korean	From 虎進 — “tiger” + “advance, make progress”; a name of ambition
22	Baek-ho	Korean	From 白虎 (baek-ho) — the White Tiger, one of Korea’s four sacred guardian deities
23	Beom	Korean	From Korean 범 (beom) meaning “tiger”; a rare and authentic Korean choice
24	Jae-in	Korean	Combines 在/才 (jae) with 寅 (in) meaning “tiger”; also means “person of talent”
25	Tigran	Armenian	Armenian name that directly references the tiger; ancient and regal
26	Babrak	Dari Persian	From Persian ببر (babr) meaning “tiger or lion”; traditional Afghan name
27	Sarathoon	Thai	Means “tiger” in Thai
28	Khái	Vietnamese	Means “tiger” in Vietnamese
29	Hổ	Vietnamese	From Sino-Vietnamese 虎 (hổ) meaning “tiger”
30	Cọp	Vietnamese	Means “tiger” in the Southern Vietnamese dialect
31	Agu	Igbo (Nigerian)	Means “tiger” in Igbo; a surname-turned-given-name signifying natural strength
32	Taika	Māori	Means “tiger” in Māori; famously borne by director Taika Waititi
33	Khatanbold	Mongolian	From Mongolian хатан (khatan) meaning “male tiger” + болд (bold) meaning “steel”
34	Barsbold	Mongolian	From барс (bars) “tiger” + болд (bold) “steel”; a name of iron strength
35	Ghunan	Mongolian	Means “three-year-old tiger” in Mongolian; symbolizes a tiger in its prime
36	Piling	Kurdish	Means “tiger” in Kurdish
37	Vepkhia	Georgian	Derived from Old Georgian ვეფხი (vepkhi) meaning “tiger”; poetic and rare
38	Namur	Arabic	From Arabic نمر (namur) meaning “tiger”
39	Qaplan	Georgian (Archaic)	Old Georgian name derived from Turkic kaplan meaning “tiger”
40	Shere	Persian / Urdu	Means “tiger” or “lion”; made famous by Shere Khan in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book
41	Gogor	Javanese	Means “tiger cub” in Javanese
42	Balang	Kelabit (Borneo)	Means “spirit tiger” in the Kelabit language of Borneo
43	Babürşah	Turkish	Means “shah as strong as a tiger”; historical Mughal title
44	Chengbiao	Chinese	From 承彪 — “to inherit the tiger’s spirit”
45	Byakko	Japanese	Means “White Tiger” (白虎); one of the four sacred beasts in East Asian mythology
46	Torakusu	Japanese	From 虎楠 — “tiger” + “camphor tree”; a strong, rooted Japanese name
47	Ho-Seok	Korean	From “tiger” + “stone or tin”; famously one element of the name of BTS’s J-Hope
48	Khatanzorig	Mongolian	From хатан (khatan) meaning “male tiger” + зориг (zorig) meaning “courage”
49	Babbar	Punjabi / Rajput	A Rajput surname and given name historically associated with tiger-like ferocity
50	Tigris	Latin / Greek	From the Latin and Greek word for tiger; also the name of the historic Tigris River

Girl Names That Mean Tiger

#	Name	Origin	Meaning
51	Torako	Japanese	From 虎子 — tora (tiger) + ko (child); a sweet and strong Japanese girl name
52	Toralei	English / Japanese	From Japanese tora (tiger) + Hawaiian lei (garland, child); a modern creative blend
53	Mi-ho	Korean	From Sino-Korean 美虎 — “beauty” + “tiger”; a popular and beautiful Korean girl name
54	Meihu	Chinese	From 美虎 or 梅虎 — “beauty/plum” + “tiger”; a feminine yet fierce Chinese name
55	Beom	Korean	From Korean 범 (beom) meaning “tiger”; used for both boys and girls in Korea
56	Ryūko	Japanese	From 龍虎 — “dragon and tiger”; a powerful Japanese name for a girl of great spirit
57	Shera	Hindi	Feminine form meaning “tiger” in Hindi culture
58	Baghini	Sanskrit / Hindi	The feminine form of bagh (tiger); literally means “female tiger” in Sanskrit
59	Durga	Sanskrit / Hindi	The warrior goddess who rides a tiger in Hindu mythology; means “unattainable”
60	Taika	Māori	Means “tiger” in Māori; works beautifully as a girl name too
61	Balang	Kelabit	Means “spirit tiger”; a rare and meaningful choice for a girl
62	Tigris	Latin	The Latin word for tiger; exotic and ancient as a girl name
63	Vyaghra	Sanskrit	Used occasionally as a strong girl name in Indian traditions
64	Hổ	Vietnamese	Means “tiger” in Vietnamese; used for both genders
65	Panja	Hindi	Means “tiger” in Hindi; carries the weight of the tiger’s power

Unisex Names That Mean Tiger

#	Name	Origin	Meaning
66	Jae-in	Korean	“Tiger” element combined with “talent or person”; used for boys and girls
67	Ryūko	Japanese	Dragon-tiger combination; used for both genders in Japan
68	Hổ	Vietnamese	Tiger in Vietnamese; gender-neutral usage
69	Balang	Kelabit	Spirit tiger; used for both boys and girls
70	Taika	Māori	Tiger; genuinely gender-neutral in modern usage

Japanese Names That Mean Tiger

Japan has one of the richest traditions of tiger names. The word for tiger in Japanese is 虎 (tora) or 寅 (tora, used in zodiac context). These names are elegant, layered with meaning, and carry the spirit of the samurai era.

#	Name	Kanji	Meaning
71	Tora	虎	Tiger; the root of most Japanese tiger names
72	Torahiko	虎彦	Tiger prince
73	Toraichi	虎一	The powerful tiger one
74	Torako	虎子	Tiger child (girl)
75	Torakusu	虎楠	Tiger camphor tree
76	Toranosuke	虎之助	Tiger’s helper
77	Byakko	白虎	White tiger (sacred guardian of the west)
78	Ryūko	龍虎	Dragon and tiger (rivals of great power)
79	Ayata	彪多	Contains 彪 meaning “small tiger or patterned like a tiger”
80	Toralei	トラレイ	Tiger garland (modern creative blend with Hawaiian)

Korean Names That Mean Tiger

Traditionally, Korean names were often selected based on the Chinese zodiac. In this system, the time, date, and year of birth are associated with water, earth, wood, metal, or fire, and this information was used to divine the baby’s fate, after which specific hanja characters were picked to match the child’s destiny. The tiger holds a special place in Korean culture as a guardian deity.

#	Name	Hangul	Meaning
81	Ho	호 / 虎	Tiger; brave and fierce
82	Beom	범	Tiger (native Korean word)
83	Baek-ho	백호 / 白虎	White Tiger, sacred guardian of the west
84	Mi-ho	미호 / 美虎	Beautiful tiger
85	Hojin	호진 / 虎進	Tiger advancing forward
86	Jae-in	재인 / 才寅	Talented tiger
87	Ho-Seok	호석 / 虎錫	Tiger and stone; associated with courage

Chinese Names That Mean Tiger

In China, the tiger ranks third among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and many Chinese children are given tiger-inspired names or tiger-themed items for good luck. The key Chinese character for tiger is 虎 (hǔ), and tiger stripes are represented by 彪 (biāo).

#	Name	Characters	Meaning
88	Hu	虎	Tiger; brave
89	Biao	彪	Tiger stripes / small tiger
90	Bohu	博虎	Rich and tiger-like
91	Chengbiao	承彪	Inheriting the tiger’s spirit
92	Chuanhu	传虎	Transmitting tiger strength
93	Hucheng	虎城	City of the tiger
94	Jingbiao	景彪	Scenery of tiger stripes
95	Meihu	美虎	Beautiful tiger (female)
96	Qingbiao	清彪	Pure and tiger-striped

Last Names (Surnames) That Mean or Reference Tiger

Some families are looking for tiger-related surnames or surnames that can be used as first names. Here are verified options from multiple cultures.

#	Name	Origin	Notes
97	Kaplan	Turkish / Jewish Ashkenazi	A surname meaning “tiger” in Turkish, also common as a Jewish surname
98	Agu	Igbo (Nigeria)	A surname meaning “tiger” or “leopard,” now used as a first name
99	Babbar	Punjabi / Rajput	Rajput clan surname associated with tiger-like ferocity
100	Vepkhia	Georgian	A given name and surname derived from the Georgian word for tiger
101	Ho	Korean / Chinese	A surname and given name across Korea and China meaning “tiger”

The Cultural Significance of Tiger Names Across the World

Tiger names are found on every continent and in virtually every major ancient language. This is not a coincidence. The tiger has been one of humanity’s most powerful symbols for thousands of years.

In China, tigers are considered to be brave, forceful, and the symbol of power and lordliness in Chinese culture, and in ancient times, people compared emperors and kings to tigers. Tiger is a brash, passionate, and confident leader with a keen sense of adventure, known for being chivalrous and upright and keeping their word at all costs.

In Japan, the tiger is closely linked to the samurai class and represents a warrior’s spirit. The pairing of tiger and dragon (ryūko) is one of the most iconic symbols in East Asian art, representing two forces of equal and opposing greatness.

In India, the tiger appears in some of the oldest Sanskrit texts. The Sanskrit word vyaghra appears in the Mahabharata and other Vedic scriptures as a description of the most formidable warriors. The name Shardul, also from Sanskrit, was used as a title of honor for powerful rulers and fighters.

In Persian and Mughal traditions, the tiger became a royal symbol. Babur, meaning “tiger” in Persian, was the nickname of Zahir ud-Din Muhammad, the 16th-century founder of the Mughal Empire in India. Sher Shah Suri, another famous ruler, carried the name Sher, meaning tiger, into Persian and Urdu-speaking cultures across South Asia.

In Korean mythology, Baek-ho refers to the White Tiger, one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations which represents the west and the autumn season. This makes it one of the most spiritually significant tiger names in all of East Asian culture.

Tips for Choosing the Right Tiger Name for Your Baby

Not every tiger name works for every family. Here are a few things to think about before you decide.

Pronunciation matters:

Names like Vyaghra or Vepkhia are beautiful on paper but may be harder for English-speaking friends and teachers. Names like Tora, Kaplan, Sher, and Ho are easier to say in most Western countries without losing their original meaning.

Consider the full name together:

A short last name pairs well with a longer first name like Torahiko or Toranosuke. A longer last name works better with Ho, Hu, or Sher.

Think about nicknames:

Torahiko naturally shortens to Tora. Baek-ho can be called Ho. Shardul may become Shar. Make sure the nickname still feels strong.

Cultural respect:

Names like Baek-ho, Byakko, and Torako carry deep cultural weight. If you are not from that culture, that does not mean you cannot use the name, but it is worth understanding the story behind it.

Meaning over trend:

Tiger names are rare in Western countries, which means your child’s name will stand out. That is part of the beauty. A name that carries a meaning this strong will never feel outdated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular name that means tiger?

Kaplan is one of the most widely known names meaning tiger, used across Turkey and parts of the Balkans. In East Asia, Ho (Korean) and Hu (Chinese) are among the most common. Tora remains a classic in Japan. For English-speaking families, Sher and Tipu are among the most recognizable.

Are there girl names that directly mean tiger?

Yes. Torako (Japanese), Mi-ho (Korean), Meihu (Chinese), Shera (Hindi), and Baghini (Sanskrit) are all girl names that directly carry the meaning of tiger. Durga, while meaning “unattainable,” is inseparable from the tiger in Hindu iconography.

What does the name Tora mean in Japanese?

Tora (虎) means tiger in Japanese. It is also the root of many longer Japanese names including Torahiko, Toraichi, Torako, and Toranosuke. The character 寅 (also read tora) is the zodiac sign of the tiger in the East Asian calendar.

Is Babur a name that means tiger?

Yes. Babur is a Persian-origin name meaning tiger. It is best known as the name of the founder of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Variant spellings include Babar, Baber, and the Turkish form Babür.

What Korean name means White Tiger?

Baek-ho (백호 / 白虎) is the Korean name for the White Tiger, one of the four sacred guardian animals in Korean and broader East Asian mythology. It represents the western direction and the autumn season.

Are there Arabic names that mean tiger?

Yes. Nimr (نمر) and Namur are both Arabic names meaning tiger. Fuhaid is another Arabic Muslim name that carries the meaning of tiger. These are traditional names used across Arab Muslim communities.

What Sanskrit name means tiger?

Vyaghra is the direct Sanskrit word for tiger. Shardul is another Sanskrit name meaning tiger or leopard, and it was historically used as a title for great warriors in ancient India. Both names appear in classical Sanskrit literature.

Do any tiger names work as last names too?

Several tiger names double as surnames. Kaplan is a common surname in Turkey and among Ashkenazi Jewish families. Agu is an Igbo surname in Nigeria. Ho is both a given name and surname in Korea and China. Babbar is a Rajput surname in South Asia.

What is the tiger’s significance in the Chinese zodiac?

The Tiger is the third animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, coming after the Ox and before the Rabbit. Recent years of the Tiger include 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, and 1950, with the next Tiger year in 2034. Children born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be bold, confident, and natural leaders.

Can a non-Asian family use a Japanese or Korean tiger name?

There is no cultural rule that restricts these names to specific ethnicities. Many parents around the world choose names from cultures they admire. The most important thing is to understand the name’s meaning and history, pronounce it with care, and give it the respect it deserves.

Is there a tiger name that works in multiple cultures?

Sher is one of the most cross-cultural tiger names. It means tiger or lion in Persian, Urdu, and Punjabi, and it is recognizable across South Asian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern communities. Tigris, the Latin form, is understood across European languages. Kaplan works in Turkish, Bosnian, and has spread into English-speaking use as well.