Car Names with Weird or Hidden Meanings You Didn't Know

You know how some people name their pets something wild just to get a laugh at the vet? Car companies do that too-only with way more money involved. And believe it or not, a lot of car names out there have strange or totally unexpected backstories. At Dace Motor Company, we’ve sold thousands of used cars across Stockport and Manchester. We’ve seen it all. And yep, we’ve raised an eyebrow or two at some of the names on the badges. So, let’s have a bit of fun with this. Here are some car names with hidden meanings, odd translations, or just stories that’ll make you go, “Wait-what?!”

Pajero - Maybe Don’t Say That in Spanish

Let’s start strong. Mitsubishi Pajero. Sounds cool, right? Rugged. Adventurous. Like something you’d drive up a mountain in. Now try saying it in Spain. Because in Spanish slang, “Pajero” is… well, let’s just say it’s not something you’d want to be called in front of your gran. It’s a rude word. Very rude. So rude that Mitsubishi had to rename it in Spanish-speaking countries. They went with “Montero” instead. Safer bet. We’ve actually had a few Pajeros in stock over the years. Great cars, by the way. But yeah, maybe stick to saying “Mitsubishi” if you're travelling around Madrid.

Mustang - Not Just a Horse

Everyone knows the Ford Mustang. That growly muscle car with the badge of a horse that looks like it’s about to kick someone. Iconic. But where’d the name come from? It’s actually named after the wild horses that run free across parts of North America. Ford wanted something that felt rebellious, fast, untamed. Like, “I don’t follow the rules-I make them.” And let’s be honest, it worked. The Mustang became a bit of a legend. Still is. And yeah, we’ve sold a few over the years. You don’t forget when one of those turns up in Stockport. You hear it before you see it.

Celica - Wait, It’s About Heaven?

Toyota Celica. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? But most people don’t know it comes from the Latin word “coelica,” which roughly means “heavenly” or “celestial.” So basically, Toyota called it the heavenly car. Bit cheeky. But to be fair, if you’ve ever driven one of the older Celicas-especially the GT-Four-you’ll get it. They were fast. Light. Made you feel like you were doing something slightly illegal, even if you were just on the A6. We don’t get loads of them these days, but when we do, they usually don’t stick around long.

Cayenne - Not Just a Pepper

You’d think Porsche Cayenne was just named after the spicy stuff you chuck in your chilli. And yeah, it kind of is. But Porsche picked the name because they wanted it to sound bold. Punchy. Like it had some heat behind it. And let’s face it, if you’ve ever seen someone floor it in a Cayenne, you know they weren’t lying. Still, a sports car named after a seasoning? Bit odd. Imagine if they’d gone with “Porsche Paprika.” Doesn’t quite hit the same, does it?

Nova - Spanish Again, Whoops

Here’s another classic naming fail. The Chevy Nova. Popular in the States. Not so much in Mexico. Because in Spanish, “No va” means “It doesn’t go.” So yeah… imagine trying to sell a car in Spanish-speaking countries when the name literally says it doesn’t work. Bit of a flop. They eventually caught on, but not before the joke made the rounds. We don’t get many Novas in anymore, but if one ever shows up at Dace, you’ll probably hear someone make that joke before it’s even parked.

Sierra - Not Just a Pretty Word

Ford Sierra. Feels like a name you’d give to a holiday destination or a mountain bike, doesn’t it? That’s because “Sierra” is Spanish for “mountain range.” Ford picked it to make the car sound strong, reliable, outdoorsy-even if it mostly got used on the school run and Sunday trips to B&Q. Still, it had a solid run. And if you ever get your hands on a Sierra Cosworth? Don’t let it go. Seriously.

Juke - Sounds Like It’s Ready to Scrap

The Nissan Juke. Bit of a weird-looking car, let’s be honest. Some people love it. Some… not so much. But the name comes from the word “juke,” as in dodging or feinting in sports. Like a boxer juking left and right. Or a footballer doing fancy footwork at the Etihad. So the idea was: small, nimble, ready to move. Whether or not it lives up to that is up for debate. But hey, at least it’s got a backstory.

Yaris - Invented Out of Thin Air

Toyota Yaris is one of those names that just… sounds nice. Doesn’t mean much. But here’s the fun part-it kind of does. It’s based on “Charis,” the Greek goddess of beauty and charm. Toyota swapped the “Ch” for a “Y” to match “Ya,” which was a German expression for affirmation or positivity at the time. So yeah, the Yaris is basically named “Yes to charm.” Bit of a stretch, maybe. But that’s marketing for you.

Murciélago - That’s a Bat

The Lamborghini Murciélago. Bit of a mouthful. But it actually means “bat” in Spanish. And the story goes that it was named after a fighting bull that survived 24 sword strikes back in the day. So technically, the name’s about resilience and wildness-but most people just think it sounds cool and exotic. Still. It means bat. Next time you see one, imagine it squeaking and hanging upside down.

Amarok - It’s Got Teeth

Volkswagen Amarok. Sounds like something you’d hear in a fantasy film, doesn’t it? Turns out it’s named after a mythological wolf from Inuit legends. The Amarok is said to hunt alone and only go after the strongest prey. Volkswagen was clearly going for that “alpha beast” vibe. Makes you wonder what other names got tossed out. VW Badger? VW Squirrel? Who knows.

Qashqai - Say That Again?

Nissan Qashqai. You either know how to say it… or you really, really don’t. It’s named after a nomadic tribe in Iran. The Qashqai people were known for being resourceful, always on the move, and tough enough to handle anything. Which, if you squint a bit, does make sense for a crossover SUV. Still, it probably wins the award for most mispronounced car name we’ve seen at Dace. We’ve heard everything from “Cash-kay” to “Quash-quay.” Doesn’t matter-we know what you mean.

Picanto - Sounds Like It Should Come With Chips

Kia Picanto. Kind of cute. Kind of zippy. And the name means “spicy” or “piquant” in Spanish and Italian. Basically, Kia wanted to make a small car sound exciting. Like it had more kick than you’d expect. And to be fair, it kind of works. If you’re stuck on the A34 in rush hour, zipping around in a Picanto does feel a bit spicy compared to, say, a big lumbering estate.

Coming Up With a Name Is Hard

It’s easy to laugh at weird car names. But to be fair, car companies have a tough job. They’ve got to come up with something that sounds cool in loads of different languages, fits the car’s vibe, and doesn’t accidentally insult half the planet. Sometimes they nail it. Sometimes… they land on “Pajero.”

So Why Does This Matter?

Because names stick with you. They shape how you think about a car before you even drive it. You might not know what “Celica” means-but it still sounds fast, right? And the thing is, a name can make a car feel like it fits you better. Some people come into Dace looking for “just a small hatchback.” But then they see something with a name that clicks-and suddenly it’s their car.

Whether it’s a Mustang that wants to gallop or a Celica that wants to float up to the clouds, car names are weird, clever, and sometimes just plain funny. And now that you know what a few of them really mean, you might look at the badge a little differently next time you’re walking around one of our showrooms in Stockport or Manchester. Who knows-maybe the name will be the thing that wins you over. And if it doesn’t? Don’t worry. We’ve got 600 others to choose from. Some with sensible names, some with spicy ones, and maybe even a few that nobody can pronounce. Just pop into Dace Motor Company. We’ll help you find the one that sounds right and drives even better.