What’s in a Name? Selecting the Best Car Names for Your Vehicle

There is a lot of excitement involved when you’re purchasing a vehicle. You look forward to having a smoother ride, new gadgets and accessories, and especially that new car smell. You are also presented with the unique opportunity to name your car.

There is something about the way a car looks that makes us gravitate towards one versus another. The unique personality of a vehicle often comes out through its “face” and body. Car designers understand this, which is why we often see trucks and sports cars with a meaner, more aggressive front end, while SUVs and family vehicles tend to have a softer, friendlier look. In the end, all this personification inspires many people to name their cars.

How to Select Your Car Nickname

Determining the best name for your car may seem frivolous to some, but it can be one of the most fun steps of owning a new vehicle. It can also help you form a bond with your vehicle and with others around you—especially if it’s a family car and you get the kids involved in the process. Use these considerations to help you generate the perfect name for your car.

Consider Your Make and Model

One wonderful place to start is your car’s make and model. Different cars have different aesthetics, just like people. While we don’t get to choose our name based on our looks and personalities as adults, buying a vehicle gives us a chance to match a name to an image. As a result, you have the opportunity to consider several different traits that match your vehicle, such as age, size, sound, and unique features.

You can start by considering names that seem to fit the build and physical appearance of your car. Trucks, for example, are naturally large, heavy, and designed for tough jobs and towing bulky items. As if you were naming a big, bulky guy, you might choose something with a beefy ring to it, like Chad or Tony. If you are driving a popular, sporty car, you might expect something peppy and cheerleader-esque like Stacy or Tiffany. Similarly, Bertha or Elvira should be reserved for a big, boat-like Cadillac or a black hot rod, respectively.

Consider Your Use of the Car

If you want to create a name that goes beyond the appearance of your car, you can also use typical activities you plan on doing in your car to determine a fitting name. Do you plan on using your car for off-road adventures, traveling across the country, getting to work, hauling band equipment, hunting trips, or something else entirely? Whatever your vehicle is used for could help spark an idea for the perfect name.

If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors, and you know you’ll be using your vehicle to go camping, you might consider names like “Firestarter” or “Stargazer.” If you are often using your vehicle to carpool children to sporting events, you could go full soccer mom and name it after their team mascot. Fictional character names are also a popular option. If you are someone who owns a particularly adventurous vehicle. you may want to call it “Lara Croft” or “Indiana Jones.” As you can see, what your vehicle is used for on a day-to-day basis can help lead you to the perfect name.

Consider the Color of Your Car

The color of your car can inspire hundreds of different names. A green SUV could be “The Hulk” or “Shrek.” A red car could be called “Gryffindor,” while a yellow car could be “Hufflepuff.” Consider looking up the names of colors in different languages for interesting starting points, as well. There is no shortage of options that are creative and can match the color and aesthetic of your vehicle.

Consider Choosing a Gendered Name

Many individuals choose to assign a gender to their vehicles, which can greatly influence your list of name options. Girl names for cars are the more historical route, but car names for boys are just as popular today. Some great female names include “Peggy,” “Tinkerbelle,” “Eve,” “Molly,” “Kia,” “Heather,” “Dorothy,” and “Lola.” Common male names include “Billy Bob,” “Rocky,” “Popeye,” “Tarzan,” “Romeo,” “Royce,” and “Xerxes.”  Assigning a gender also provides additional nickname options outside of your car’s primary name such as “Baby Girl, “Princess,” “Prince,” “Big Boy,” and “Little Missy.”

Consider Your Own Personality

Since your car is an extension of you, you should also think of your own unique personality. If you are more of a quiet, introverted, or laid-back person, you can find a mellow, softer name that fits your vibe. Conversely, choose a name that speaks to your loud and boisterous style. If you are someone who likes to take it slow, you might not want to name your car “Lightning” or “Speed Racer” (unless, of course, your personal style is hilarious and ironic).

Select the Best Car Name With Our List of Options

If you are having a tough time determining names on your own, or you’re worried about picking something too generic, we can help. We’ve compiled this list of some of the best car names out there based on color, speed, humor, and fictional characters.

Names by Color

The color of your vehicle is often the simplest place to start if you’re really stuck. Think of famous characters that wear that color, or look to animals, gems, and other natural phenomena associated with that color.

For black vehicles you may want to consider:

For white vehicles you could consider:

For gray or silver vehicles, you can choose names such as:

For red or orange vehicles, some of the most popular names include:

Typical names for green vehicles include:

Blue vehicle names that continue to stay popular include:

Fast Cars

The speed of your vehicle can also help to determine the best name selection. Both slower and faster cars can benefit from unique names that represent what they are capable of when on the open road. Some of the best car names for fast cars include:

Funny Car Names

Naming your car doesn’t have to be serious business. You can play around with puns and funny names that are sure to get a laugh every time you mention your car. And, let’s face it, some cars just NEED a funny name. 

Funny car name options include:

Fictional Characters

You can find tons of inspiration from your favorite video game, TV, movie, or book characters. You can choose a name that matches the physical description or personality traits. You can also draw inspiration from historical figures and mythology. Whether real or make-believe, you can find the perfect name inspired by something important in your life.

Names inspired by Harry Potter include:

Names inspired by Lord of the Rings include:

You can also choose from names inspired by Superheroes and Villains such as:

The list of fictional characters can go on and on. It all depends on your personal interests and the stories you find yourself drawn to the most.

Test Your Name Options

One perk of naming a car that you don’t usually get with a human baby is the ability to “test drive” your name options. You can create a list of your top names and try using each one.

Does it fit? Does it make sense? Does your car seem to like it? Do you feel silly or smooth referring to your car by its name? If the fit isn’t quite right, you can always move on to the next name on your list to find the best option for you and your vehicle.

Let the Car Enthusiast in You Shine

So, what have we learned? It’s not only the exterior and the engine that make a car, but also the name. Cars are supposed to be fun and exciting, and naming your car to reflect those emotions will make choosing one much easier. 

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to naming a car, however, some people take their time to come up with the perfect moniker, while others decide quickly and move on. Don’t stress about it too much though, if you do make a “mistake” naming your vehicle, who’s going to know but you? The important thing is that you’re happy, and you can get behind the wheel with some confidence.

We hope you found the perfect name for your new vehicle! We’d love it if you signed up for our newsletter for updates on more posts for car lovers, like this one. Also, be sure to head on over to our car lovers merch shop to find the perfect accessory to go with your new car!

Jenny Weatherall

Jenny has a passion for learning and sharing what she learns. She has researched, written and published hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including: SEO, design, marketing, ethics, business management, sustainability, inclusion, behavioral health, wellness, autos and work-life balance.

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