I don't know where this name came from, but it made me think of Latin rapere, "to snatch/grab/carry off", which is the etymological source of "rape" and, while a common word, was also used for somewhat related purposes in Roman times (namely, kidnapping women). This is unlike niggardly, which is etymologically unrelated to nigger. However, rapere is also the source for innocuous English terms like rapt and rapture.

To be perfectly clear, I did a double-take because I mis-read it the first time, I'm probably not alone on this, and I'd consider it an ill-advised name.

You could consider me oversensitive, but would you choose Niggardly for a brand name?

I understand you may disagree with them, but there's no need for an ad-hominem attack. I like to believe our community is above that, even as a lurker. Instead, why do you disagree with the assertion that its an unfortunate name?

(It appears @comex gave a pretty convincing argument for why it is at this level in the thread, and I know I read the name wrong at first!)

quick edit: http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/rapere isn't looking too good, either.