Where Car Names Come From: The Curious Origins Behind Your Favorite Auto Brands

Every time we see a car logo on the road, we see more than just a brand—we see a history, a culture, and sometimes a fascinating story embedded in just a few letters or symbols. Some automakers honor visionaries, others evoke ancient deities, while a few are rooted in marketing ingenuity or lucky numerology. In this post, we’ll take a drive through the etymology and origin stories of some of the most well-known car manufacturers in the world—from America to Japan, France to Korea.

American Legends: Names Tied to Pioneers and Presidents

Cadillac
This iconic American brand takes its name from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a French explorer who founded the city of Detroit in 1701. Cadillac’s name, and its crest-like logo, were inspired by his noble family coat of arms. As the luxury division of General Motors, the brand carries a regal image, deeply tied to American opulence and heritage.

Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 by Swiss race car driver Louis Chevrolet and GM founder William C. Durant, Chevrolet quickly became one of America’s most loved car brands. The famous “bowtie” logo has mysterious origins—some say it was based on French wallpaper Durant once saw; others claim it was inspired by a stylized Swiss cross. By the 1930s, the brand had earned its affectionate nickname: “Chevy.”

Chrysler
Walter Chrysler founded the company bearing his name in 1925. His surname, of German origin, may derive from a word meaning “spinning top” or “turning,” a fitting if accidental metaphor for innovation and motion. Today, Chrysler represents a proud pillar of the American auto industry, with a legacy tied to engineering excellence and classic design.

Lincoln
Founded by Henry Leland, who also co-founded Cadillac, Lincoln was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln—Leland’s personal hero. Lincoln would go on to become Ford Motor Company’s luxury division and one of the most enduring symbols of presidential prestige. The brand’s emblem, a sleek star, adds a modern touch to its historical gravitas.


European Elegance: Names Rooted in Nobility and Innovation

Citroën
This French automaker was founded in 1919 by André-Gustave Citroën, a brilliant engineer and industrialist. His surname, Citroën, interestingly means “lemon” in French and shares etymological roots with “citrus.” The double chevron logo is based on herringbone gear teeth—an innovation Citroën patented early in his career. Beyond its engineering genius, Citroën became known for its avant-garde designs and bold concepts, like the futuristic DS.

Jaguar
Originally launched as S.S. Cars Limited in 1935, the British company wisely rebranded to Jaguar in 1945 to distance itself from any association with the Nazi SS. The new name, evoking the sleek and powerful big cat, matched the brand’s vision of elegance and performance. Over the decades, Jaguar has been synonymous with British motoring style, luxury, and speed.

Volkswagen
The name Volkswagen literally means “people’s car” in German, a name that emerged in the 1930s under a disturbing origin: it was part of Adolf Hitler’s vision for an affordable car for every German household. Despite its controversial beginnings, Volkswagen rebranded itself post-WWII as a symbol of practical design and engineering. The iconic Beetle played a huge role in this redemption arc, making VW a global powerhouse by the 1950s.

Mercedes-Benz
The name Mercedes comes from Mercédès Jellinek, the daughter of Austrian entrepreneur Emil Jellinek, who sold and promoted Daimler vehicles in the early 1900s. He named a new line of race cars after her—and the rest is history. The Benz part honors Karl Benz, inventor of the first true automobile. Together, the name signifies both family legacy and technological innovation. The three-pointed star in the logo symbolizes domination over land, sea, and air.

Japanese Ingenuity: Nature, Gods, and Brushstrokes

Honda
Soichiro Honda, a self-taught mechanic, partnered with financier Takeo Fujisawa to create the Honda Motor Company in 1948. The name Honda is simply Soichiro’s surname, and it means “original field” in Japanese. The name subtly evokes a return to roots, simplicity, and resilience—fitting for a company that started making motorized bicycles and ended up producing everything from robots to private jets.

Toyota
Founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, the company was originally called Toyoda Automatic Loom Works—yes, they made weaving machines. When they transitioned into automobile production, the name was changed to Toyota for a unique reason: it took only eight brush strokes to write in Japanese, and eight is a lucky number. This small linguistic shift ushered in a global giant now known for innovation and reliability.

Mazda
Mazda’s name is a nod to Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian god of wisdom and harmony. This spiritual association was chosen to reflect both technological advancement and a respect for humanity. Interestingly, it also sounds similar to the name of its founder, Jujiro Matsuda—a clever coincidence that gave the brand both mystical and personal depth.

Suzuki
Started as a loom company in 1909 by Michio Suzuki, the brand only moved into motor vehicles in the 1950s. The name Suzuki means “bell tree” in Japanese, and while the meaning doesn’t directly connect with vehicles, the surname carries a natural, melodic quality that fits the company’s transformation from quiet utility to high-performance machines.

Mitsubishi
Perhaps the most straightforward name on this list, Mitsubishi combines two Japanese words: mitsu (three) and hishi (water chestnut, often used to denote a diamond shape). The name, meaning “three diamonds,” perfectly matches the logo and traces back to the family crest of founder Iwasaki Yataro. Mitsubishi began as a shipping company and evolved into a sprawling conglomerate with a proud automotive arm.


Korean Modernity and Japanese Luxury

Hyundai
Hyundai means “modernity” in Korean—a bold and fitting name for a company that emerged from the ashes of the Korean War and quickly became a symbol of progress. Founded in 1967, Hyundai’s branding is all about forward motion. The slanted H in its logo isn’t just a stylized initial; it represents two people shaking hands: the company and the customer. It also leans forward—symbolizing innovation and drive.

Infiniti
A luxury division created by Nissan in 1987, Infiniti was designed to compete with Lexus and Acura in the U.S. market. The name is a sleek variation of “infinity,” implying limitless performance and luxurious ambition. The logo, depicting a road stretching into a vanishing point, beautifully captures this idea of boundless travel and endless horizons.


Electric Dreams and Scientific Homage

Tesla
Founded in 2003, Tesla Motors was named after Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, a pioneer of alternating current (AC) electricity. The name honors his revolutionary contributions to science and technology—echoing the brand’s mission to disrupt fossil-fuel dependence. The T in the logo subtly resembles a cross-section of an electric motor, while the brand as a whole has become synonymous with innovation, risk-taking, and the electric future.


Conclusion: More Than Just a Name

From ancient deities to daughters of diplomats, from spinning tops to lemons, the names behind the world’s car brands tell stories of visionaries, inventors, and marketers who shaped the global auto industry. Whether it’s the sleek ambition of Infiniti, the cultural symbolism behind Toyota, or the mythological nod of Mazda, these names aren’t just labels—they’re compact narratives of identity and aspiration.

So the next time you pass a Mitsubishi or sit behind the wheel of a Lincoln, remember: you’re not just driving a car—you’re participating in a legacy, a story, and sometimes, a piece of linguistic art.