10 of the coolest car names

Ten of the coolest car names and where they came from

A name is what makes you, well, you. 

The same goes for cars – a great name can make a vehicle iconic, while a forgettable one might leave it lost in the showroom.

It's what sticks in your mind. What you remember long after the spec sheet details fade away.

The perfect automotive namesake creates an immediate connection, conjuring images of power, elegance, or adventure before you've even turned the key.

Car names aren't chosen by accident. 

They're carefully selected based on a vehicle's character, the manufacturer's heritage, design inspiration, and sometimes the markets they'll call home.

From fierce winds to legendary warriors, mythical creatures to geographic wonders – the sources are as varied as the vehicles themselves.

There's often a fascinating story hiding behind these names, too – tales that add another dimension to cars we thought we knew.

So, buckle up and join us as we explore ten of the coolest car names ever to grace the automotive world, and the surprising origins that might just make you appreciate these vehicles even more.

ORA Funky Cat

Now just simply known as the GWM 03 – a bit of a downgrade in the fun name scale.

But let’s move past that and look at the name Funky Cat.

The quirky-looking Funky Cat is probably the most bizarre (but cool) car name on this list and is definitely a brave choice for a debut car in the UK market.

With a Lightning Cat and a Punk Cat already on sale in China, someone obviously loves cats.

ORA wants the Funky Cat to not only be your next car, but your future friend. Designed to be warm and characterful, ORA hopes the Funky Cat will be the perfect “car-panion”.

And the Funky Cat is certainly that.

Many are fans of the animal-like looks of the Funky Cat. Its round, puppy-eye lights create an adorable front end. While the stylish cabin has a bold look, is crammed with technology and is incredibly cosy.

Bringing something a little different to the electric car industry, the name perfectly complements and provides a sense of fun and personality to this extraordinary electric hatchback.

Bentley Flying Spur

The Bentley car badge itself screams class and illustrious history.

The crafters of the Bentley, H.J. Mulliner’s Managing Director, Arthur Talbot Johnstone named the luxury four-door himself. The phrase “flying spur” is directly related to the British heraldic symbol of the Johnstone Clan in Scotland.

First produced in 1958, the original Flying Spur was christened as the S1 Continental Flying Spur and was designed to be elegant, extraordinary and to outpace the rivals of its time. Eventually, it evolved to just the Flying Spur to differentiate it from the Continental GT.

Transformed over the years by Bentley’s constant development and application of cutting-edge technology and exquisite craftsmanship, the Flying Spur has become one of the finest super-luxury cars of all time.

With an exhilarating performance and British craftsmanship, the Flying Spur embodies the true spirit of the name.

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is famous for its unique name too.

Many believed the Nissan Qashqai wouldn’t sell because of its name being difficult to pronounce, but now known for being a best-seller in Europe, they couldn’t have been more wrong.

The name Qashqai is derived from the tribe of Turkish nomads, who today live a traditional life. In fact, they are known for their beautiful carpets and wool weaving skills.

However, the Qashqai once were fierce warriors which suggests Nissan wanted to personify the Qashqai’s strong and brave looks. According to Nissan, they wanted to pick up on the nomadic nature of the Qashqai people. 

Their adventurous spirit is something that Nissan believed that drivers would similarly embrace too.

Despite being a popular car in Europe and Asia, the Qashqai name is apparently too exotic for the US automotive market, where it’s sold as the Nissan Rogue Sport.

CUPRA Formentor

With an SUV-coupe body, the CUPRA Formentor brings together the all-terrain attributes of an SUV and the sleek, sporty essence of a coupe in one neat package.

But where does Formentor come from, you ask?

If you think it’s something to do with the process of brewing your own beer, then you’d be very wrong.

The Formentor was the very first model that was designed exclusively for CUPRA, after becoming its own entity apart from SEAT.

‘Cape Formentor’ is a northern peninsula on the island of Majorca, so in true SEAT and CUPRA fashion, the name pays homage to their Spanish heritage.

The landscape here is considered to be one of the most beautiful and wild areas in the Balearics, and it’s these attributes that the Formentor embodies.

So, remember all this when someone asks you what CUPRA car you have, because the model isn’t actually displayed anywhere on or inside the car. Weird.

Porsche Taycan

It's not tay-can (though plenty of people say it that way). The correct pronunciation is tie-khan – and there's a fascinating story behind this electrifying name.

When Porsche unveiled their first all-electric sports car, they needed a name worthy of such a revolutionary machine. "Taycan" delivers on all fronts, blending two Turkish words to create a meaning that perfectly captures what makes this vehicle special: "the soul of a spirited young horse."

This isn't just clever wordplay. 

Look at the Porsche emblem – that prancing horse has been there all along, now galloping into the electric future. The name elegantly bridges Porsche's heritage with its bold vision forward.

There's even more depth if you cross continents – in Japanese, "taikan" translates to "physical experience." Anyone who's felt the Taycan's instant torque pushing them back into the driver's seat knows this vehicle delivers exactly that: a visceral, heart-racing experience that stays true to Porsche's performance DNA.

A spirited horse with an electric soul? 

We'd say Porsche nailed it. The Taycan doesn't just carry a clever name – it carries the future of the sports car.

Land Rover Defender

James Bond has driven one, Queen Elizabeth II had one, and Sir David Attenborough uses one. It’s the ultimate iconic British car, bar the MINI.

I think we can all see why Land Rover called this SUV the Defender with its tough, capable, and unstoppable personality.

Designed to "rove the land, regardless of conditions," the Defender has survived decades thanks to its timeless design. Famed for its off-roading capabilities, towing capacity and wading ability, a Land Rover lease delivers adventure-ready engineering with quintessential British character.

Though it began simply as "Land Rover," the Defender name officially came into use in 1991 to distinguish it from the Discovery. 

Interestingly, the trade name "Defender" was originally owned by another vehicle manufacturer, but Land Rover eventually acquired the rights after paying an undisclosed price.

From royal estates to film sets, remote wilderness to urban streets – the Defender has conquered them all. It doesn't just defend against rough terrain; it defends a legacy of British engineering excellence that continues to stand the test of time.

No wonder it's become such an icon. 

When it comes to true all-terrain champions, the Defender doesn't just talk the talk – it drives the drive.

Hyundai IONIQ

The IONIQ name brilliantly fuses "ion" (the electric charge powering the vehicle) with "unique" (Hyundai's innovative approach). Together, they create something truly electrifying.

What started as Hyundai's first pure electric vehicle has evolved into an entire sub-brand leading the charge toward sustainable mobility. 

The IONIQ isn't just a car – it's tomorrow's vision on today's roads.

While the original maintained conventional styling, newer models like the IONIQ 5 embrace a boldly futuristic aesthetic with pixel-inspired lighting and angular surfaces that turn heads everywhere they go.

Hyundai's ambition extends beyond transportation – they're reimagining vehicles as living spaces, transforming everyday journeys into experiences worth remembering.

Ready to drive the future? Explore our competitive Hyundai lease deals and power up your daily commute without shocking your monthly budget.

Ford Mustang

Is it a horse? Is it a plane? Or maybe a car?

Everyone knows the look of a Ford Mustang – it’s an icon. Some of the latest models don’t even have the Ford logo on them.

But how did the famous Ford Mustang get its name?

Despite being the perfect emblem, a running horse may have nothing to do with the inspiration behind the Mustang brand. But there have been a dozen theories around the horse influence.

Ford has never confirmed where the name came from, but it’s likely that it gets its name from the WWII aircraft: the P-51 Mustang. John Najjar, one of the designers involved in the Mustang project, was a huge fan of the famed WWII fighter plane and pitched the name to Ford.

The higher committee were not keen at first and underwent many heated discussions before coming to a decision – it was a keeper.

So, there you have it. It’s difficult to imagine it being called anything else, the Ford Mustang’s name is legendary.

Maserati Ghibli

Maserati has a poetic tradition of naming their cars after powerful winds, and the Ghibli is no exception.

In North Africa, the Ghibli is a formidable force of nature – the Libyan Arabic name for the Sirocco wind that sweeps across the Mediterranean with hurricane-like intensity, moving massive quantities of red sand and completely transforming landscapes in its wake.

Just like its namesake, the Maserati Ghibli was designed to reshape the automotive landscape when it stormed onto the scene in 1966. With its breathtaking silhouette crafted by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the original Ghibli supercar marked a dramatic shift from Maserati's previously understated design philosophy.

Considered one of Giugiaro's most beautiful creations, the Ghibli perfectly embodied its windswept name – powerful, dramatic, and capable of leaving everything changed in its path.

From its inception to today's modern interpretation, the Maserati Ghibli remains a perfect storm of Italian design brilliance, exhilarating handling, and thoroughbred performance that continues to sweep drivers off their feet.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo never revealed where the name Giulia originates from, but there are a few theories.

It’s a girl’s name in Italian and Alfa Romeo is a proud Italian brand, so it’s possible that they named it after a famous individual. 

One main tale is that the model is named after the Italian director, Federico Fellini’s wife, Giulietta Masina. 

Giulia also translates to youthful which is fitting for this stylish car. Definitely a head turner, the Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers the ultimate driving experience, bringing together a hot-blooded performance and passionate design.

Another rumour is that it was named after the romantic story of Romeo and Juliet. The Romeo comes with Alfa Romeo and so the Giulia coming from Juliet makes some sense.

Regardless of the inspiration behind the name, the beautiful Giulia is a real heartbreaker.

From fierce winds to spirited horses, nomadic tribes to royal defenders – the stories behind these iconic car names are as fascinating as the vehicles themselves.

A great car name does more than just sound good rolling off the tongue. 

It captures the essence of the vehicle, bridges heritage with innovation, and creates an emotional connection that lasts long after the drive is over.

Whether it's the playful charm of the Funky Cat, the wild spirit of the Mustang, or the transformative power of the Ghibli, these names have become inseparable from the automotive legends they represent.

In an industry where first impressions matter, these manufacturers have proven that the perfect name can accelerate a car from merely being driven to being truly desired.