Tigerlily is a feminine given name of modern English coinage, derived from the name of the showy orange flower, the tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium). It gained prominence as the name of the fictional Native American princess Tiger Lily in J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan, where she is the spirited daughter of a chief. The play's enduring popularity helped cement the name as a botanical and literary choice.
While Tigerlily had sporadic use prior, it saw a notable rise after the 1995 release of Natalie Merchant's debut solo album Tigerlily. Merchant, who had left the band 10,000 Maniacs, titled the album after a tattoo of the flower on her arm. The album became a major commercial success, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, eventually earning five-times platinum certification. Its singles—"Carnival," "Wonder," and "Jealousy"—enjoyed chart success on the Billboard Hot 100. The exposure from the album undoubtedly contributed to the name's recognition in the 1990s and 2000s.
As a given name, Tigerlily slots into a broader trend of flora-inspired names like Rose, Lily, and Daisy. Its distinctiveness often appeals to parents seeking a strong, nature-linked name with literary and pop-culture resonance. Regional variants are uncommon, but the spelling "Tiger Lily" (two words) is sometimes used.
- Meaning: The orange lily flower (tiger lily)
- Origin: English, botanical name
- Type: First name (feminine)
- Usage regions: Mainly the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries
Sources: Wikipedia — Tigerlily