The word "tiger" was probably derived from the Greek word "Tigris". The Greeks possibly borrowed this word from a Persian word meaning "arrow", due to the animal's swiftness.
The main characters in this novel are Chris, Pappy (football coach), Billy Krovats, Billy Schumaker, Aunt Catherine, Polly, Jimmy Lewis, Marisa, Linda Fellini, Uncle Eric, O'Bannon, and Morusso.
That would be the princess. She is a lesser character who also develops the main character by showing what minor character thinks, feels, and says about the major character