What Is Tiger Woods’ Real Name?

Tiger Woods’ real name is Eldrick Tont Woods.

The pro-golfer was born Eldrick Tont Woods in Cypress, California, on December 30, 1975.

He is the only child of Kultida and Earl Woods and has three half-siblings from his father’s first marriage.

Woods’ mother revealed she chose the name “Eldrick” because it began with an “e” like his father’s first name and ended with a “k” like her name.

The golfer has described his ethnicity as “Cablinasia,” a term coined from Caucasian, Black, American Indian, and Asian. Woods’ middle name is a traditional Thai name.

His mother is from Thailand and is of Thai, Chinese, and Dutch ancestry. His father, who died in 2006, was of African American descent but was also said to have had some Native American, European, and possibly Chinese ancestry.

Woods never legally changed his name to Tiger. Tiger has always been, and remains, a nickname, despite its ubiquitous use when referring to Woods.

Woods got his world-renowned nickname as an homage to his dad’s friend Vuong Dang Phong, a South Vietnamese colonel also known as “Tiger.” The name “Eldrick” might not be as cool as “Tiger,” but it certainly fits a unique athlete.

Woods also had another nickname during his childhood. According to Nicki Swift, his father used to call him “Sam” simply because he looked like a Sam. After his father died, Woods named his daughter Sam, possibly to honor Earl’s memory.