The Strangest Car Names That Actually Existed

When automakers develop a new model, they spend considerable time and resources choosing its name. The goal is simple: the name should reflect the values and identity of the vehicle. However, history offers plenty of examples of brands making some rather strange decisions.

Here are some of the strangest car names that actually existed.

Daihatsu Naked

In 1999, Japanese automaker Daihatsu introduced a small SUV called the Naked. The vehicle featured an industrial style, with exposed bolts and minimalist design elements that matched its name. However, saying the name out loud in front of potential buyers often became a source of irony and jokes.

Studebaker Dictator

American automaker Studebaker began producing the Dictator in 1928. Despite being the company's most affordable car, its unusual and unpopular name negatively affected its appeal in European export markets. In 1937, as the world was entering the era of dictators, the company changed the name to Commander.

Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce

What could be more creative than naming a small, economical city car after a vegetable? Mitsubishi apparently believed that the association with lettuce would give the vehicle an image of freshness and environmental friendliness. In reality, however, the name made it sound more like something from a supermarket shelf than an automobile factory.

Chevrolet Celebrity

This is a good example of how a car can have a name that does not quite match its identity. While the name Celebrity suggested something special and prestigious, the vehicle was actually a fairly ordinary car with little to distinguish it from its competitors. Production ended in 1990.

Lamborghini Reventon

Even the name of a million dollar supercar can carry an unexpected and potentially alarming meaning. In keeping with Lamborghini's tradition, the Reventon was named after a fighting bull. However, in Spanish, reventon can refer to a burst or explosion and, in an automotive context, can evoke a blown tire. That is probably the last thing a driver would want to think about while traveling at 356 km/h.

Sometimes the problem is not the name itself, but how it translates into another language. The Mazda Laputa was inspired by Gulliver's Travels, but unfortunately, its name has an unfortunate meaning in Spanish. Similarly, the Toyota Isis was named after the Egyptian goddess, although later associations made the name problematic. The Audi e-tron also raised eyebrows in France because the name has an unpleasant connotation in French.

The Mitsubishi Pajero is another classic example of how a name can become unsuitable for export markets. In Spanish, pajero is a vulgar slang insult. As a result, the model was renamed Mitsubishi Montero in Spanish speaking markets and the United States.