In the mid-1970s, the curious name Tiant started popping up in the U.S. baby name data:
- 1977: 6 baby boys named Tiant
- 1976: 18 baby boys named Tiant
- 1975: 18 baby boys named Tiant [debut]
- 1974: unlisted
- 1973: unlisted
The influence? Cuban-born baseball pitcher Luis Tiant (pronounced tee-ahnt), who played in the Major Leagues from 1964 until 1982. He also had a magnificent horseshoe moustache, as you can see.
For most of the ’70s he played for the Boston Red Sox. The year 1975 is notable because of his excellent postseason performance, including shutting out the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the World Series, and also winning Game 4.
What are your thoughts on Tiant as a baby name?
Um, a bit too close to taint. No thanks
For my taste it is dangerously close to Tyrant.