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Why do we feel the need to name our cars? Do they have distinct human faces?

With headlights that leer and a grill that seems ready to snap or laugh, it’s hard not to see faces and personalities in cars and automobiles. In fact, the personality expressed in a vehicle’s “face” is often a huge reason why we choose to purchase one car over another.

This is something car designers also know. You will see more aggressive, meaner faces in trucks and sports cars and more friendly faces in SUVs, family vehicles, and in trucks. Anyone who has seen the Cars movies knows that not only do the faces match the cars’ personalities (think of Lighting McQueen and Mater), but their names do as well.

What should I name my car - Lighting McQueen, Mater, Cars

Source: Roderick Eime (Flickr)

Cars really do resemble people. They are anthropomorphized by our brains. It’s a psychological phenomenon called pareidolia. So why shouldn’t they be given names?

Besides, it’s your chance to go crazy with names that you might not otherwise use for your children or pets.

What should I call my car?

“Box with Wheels” and “Mr. Car” won’t work. Sure, you can call it that, but you’re probably looking for something a bit more creative. Since naming your car is a big decision that you’ll live with for a long time, don’t rush it.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when naming your car:

1. Consider the Car’s Personality (Make and Model)

What does your car look like? This is the most important factor to consider. Is it a boy or girl? Is it old or young?

Is it a sportscar, a large car, or a modern car? Consider any unique characteristics it may have. Is it loud or quiet? Is it big or small? You can find something to help you with the naming process, regardless of what make or model it is. In fact, that’s how the Volkswagen “Beetle” got its name. The original name of the car was Volkswagen. However, it gained its nickname because of its obvious resemblances to a beetle.

If you are a person who likes rhymes and puns, you can use the make/model as inspiration for a fun and quirky name for your car:

Rhonda the Honda
Jack the Cadillac

But be weary of names that get old quick. Try to stick with ones that aren’t so obvious:

Vlad (Chevy Impala)
Lux (Fiat)
Stacy (Chevy Malibu)
Frank (Hyundai Sonata)

2. Consider Your Personality

You don’t want to name your car Lighting, Dash, or Speedy if you are the kind of person who likes to take it slow. A more relaxed name is better for shy people. You might be more comfortable with a quirky name if you are an introvert.

Do you love history or are you a huge fan of a particular movie director, sports team, or author? You can be creative! Be creative!

3. The License Plate

The letters in your license plate might give you a good idea for a name. If your license plate contains the letters SDE, then you might name it Sadie. MDN could refer to Madonna. You get the point. It’s also a great mnemonic for remembering your license plate.

4. Consider the Color of the Car

The color of your car can put you in the right direction.

Black:

White:

Yellow/Gold:

Red/Orange:

Blue:

Green:

Purple:

Silver/Grey:

5. Consider Celebrity Babies’ Names

When you are a famous celebrity, it’s hard to name your kid Martha or Mike. Take inspiration from some of the most creative baby names:

6. Consider Fictional Character Names

These movie, book, video game, and myth-inspired names can also work for children and pets.

Game of Thrones:

Harry Potter:

Superheroes and Villains:

The Sandman Series:

Greek and Roman Names:

Shakespeare:

Additional Names Inspired by Movies, TV Shows, and Video Games:

You can also look at various card games for inspiration, such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering.

7. Consider Names Inspired by Athletes and Sports

If you have a favorite sport or athlete, this may be the perfect time to show your allegiance:

Naming your car should be an enjoyable experience. You’ll look back fondly on the day when it clicked and you found the perfect name for your new baby.

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Auto Simple We will help you to find the right vehicle, name it, and transport it to its new home.

With locations in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Dayton, and a new store in Dalton, GA, we make it easy to drive away in your dream car.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

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