Car names are meant to captivate, inspire, and connect with buyers. Yet, some names do the exact opposite—they leave us puzzled, amused, or downright confused. Over the years, car manufacturers have released vehicles with names that are so strange, they seem to defy logic.
Whether it’s a quirky translation, an attempt to stand out, or just an odd sense of humor, these names have become legendary for their weirdness.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most bizarre car names ever made, uncovering the stories and decisions behind them. From hilarious mistranslations to oddly creative ideas, these names are a testament to the unexpected twists in automotive history.
Let’s take a closer look at these unforgettable, weird car names!
- Mitsubishi Lettuce – A small, quirky kei car from Japan that baffled the world with its vegetable-inspired name. Designed for city driving, the name was meant to convey freshness and eco-friendliness, but it left many scratching their heads.
- Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard – A long-winded and strange name for an SUV. The “Mysterious Utility Wizard” was aimed at highlighting its versatility and charm, but the translation didn’t quite land with international audiences.
- Mazda Bongo Friendee – This camper van’s name sounds more like a character from a children’s TV show than a car. The playful and friendly tone was intentional, but many buyers found it hilariously odd.
- Ford Probe – Intended to sound futuristic, the name instead became a source of endless jokes, as “Probe” had uncomfortable connotations in many English-speaking markets.
- Geely Beauty Leopard – A Chinese-made coupe with a name that tries to be luxurious but ends up sounding more like a bizarre fashion brand. The mismatch between the car and its name became infamous.
- Nissan Homy Super Long – While practical in describing the van’s spacious interior, this name drew chuckles for its awkward phrasing, especially in English-speaking countries.
- Volkswagen Thing – Known as the “Thing” in the U.S., this boxy, utilitarian vehicle’s name was both simplistic and strangely vague. It seemed as though VW didn’t know what to call it, so they just called it a “Thing.”
- Suzuki Every Joypop Turbo – This tiny van comes with an amusingly elaborate name that feels like a word salad. Each word was meant to add excitement, but the overall effect is unintentionally funny.
- Toyota Deliboy – A delivery van with a name that sounds like a superhero from a fast-food chain. While practical for its purpose, the name didn’t exactly scream sophistication.
- Daihatsu Naked – This compact car’s name was intended to signify simplicity and minimalism, but it caused plenty of raised eyebrows in markets where “Naked” has entirely different connotations.
- Ford Fiera – In Spanish, “Fiera” translates to “beast,” but in Filipino, it means “junk.” This unfortunate linguistic mismatch made the car a laughingstock in certain regions.
- Chevrolet Spark Activ – A small, zippy car with an adventurous name, but “Activ” feels like a misspelling of “Active,” which confused some buyers and became the subject of jokes.
- Subaru Brat – Short for “Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter,” this name sounded cool in concept but humorous in execution, as “brat” is often used to describe misbehaving children.
- Tata Zesty – This compact sedan from India was meant to evoke energy and enthusiasm, but “Zesty” sounded more like a salad dressing than a car.
- Renault Le Car – A French car marketed in the U.S. with a name that simply translates to “The Car.” While meant to highlight its simplicity, the name felt uninspired and strange.
- Great Wall Wingle – A pickup truck from China with a name that seemed like a typo or a playful attempt to combine “Wing” and “Single.” The result was more confusing than effective.
- Hyundai Starex – A large van with a name that feels like a misspelled attempt at “Star X.” While it aimed to sound futuristic, the name became the butt of jokes in many regions.
- Honda That’s – A kei car with a bafflingly vague name that seems to leave a sentence unfinished. The name left customers wondering, “That’s… what?”
- Buick LaCrosse – A name that sounded refined in English but was slang for a crude act in French Canadian slang, leading to an awkward reputation in Quebec.
- Kia Bongo – Another “Bongo” in the car world, this small truck’s name was meant to be catchy, but many thought it sounded more like a musical instrument than a vehicle.
- Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce – An extension of the Lettuce name, this tiny car doubled down on its vegetable inspiration, making it one of the strangest name choices in the automotive world.
- Volkswagen Up! – While the name intended to be cheerful and youthful, the punctuation mark left many puzzled. It felt like it was yelling at buyers rather than inviting them.
- Fiat Panda – A practical, lovable compact car, but naming it after a cuddly bear struck many as odd for an automobile.
- Peugeot Hoggar – A rugged truck named after a mountain range, but it sounded strange to international audiences unfamiliar with its origins.
- Chevrolet Celebrity – A car meant to make you feel like a star, but the name was considered overly ambitious for a modest sedan.
- Mazda Scrum – A kei truck with a name inspired by rugby, but it sounded more like a mess or a hurried situation, which didn’t resonate well.
- Renault Captur – While meant to evoke adventure and exploration, the spelling felt odd to many, making the name more confusing than inspiring.
- Opel Adam – Named after the company’s founder, Adam Opel, the name sounded too personal and left many wondering why a car would have a first name.
- Isuzu Big Horn – While rugged and descriptive, this name caused endless jokes in English-speaking markets due to its double meanings.
- Nissan Prairie Joy – A family car with a name that felt overly enthusiastic for its practical design, making it seem ironically funny.
- Suzuki Alto Lapin – “Lapin” means rabbit in French, which was charming, but the mix of languages made the name feel mismatched and odd.
- Toyota WiLL Vi – Part of the experimental WiLL series, this compact car’s name felt like a random jumble of letters, leaving buyers scratching their heads.
- Proton Saga – A Malaysian car with a name that sounded overly dramatic, as if the vehicle had an epic story to tell.
- Chevrolet Lumina APV – Short for “All-Purpose Vehicle,” the abbreviation made the name sound overly technical and cold.
- Daihatsu Charade – A name that suggested something fake or insincere, which didn’t inspire much confidence in buyers.
- Ford Ka – A compact car with a name that seemed too short and vague to convey any meaning, leaving buyers puzzled.
- Honda Vamos Hobio – A small van with a name that mixed Spanish and nonsense, creating a confusing blend.
- Tata Spacio – Meant to sound modern and spacious, the name came across as an awkward attempt at being trendy.
- SsangYong Rexton – A rugged SUV with a name that sounded more like a pharmaceutical product than a car.
- Chery QQ – A playful name for a tiny car, but the repetition of letters made it feel like a children’s toy rather than a vehicle.
- Toyota Estima Lucida G Luxury Joyful Canopy – A minivan with perhaps the longest and most bizarre name in car history. It seems like Toyota wanted to include every possible feature in the name.
- Mazda Scrum Wagon – A compact van with a name that sounds like something chaotic and hurried, rather than a vehicle.
- Nissan Fuga – While it sounds luxurious, in some languages, “Fuga” means “escape,” which could be taken as a negative connotation for a car name.
- Mitsubishi Starion – A mistranslation of “Stallion” led to this unique yet unintended name for a sporty car.
- Honda Life Dunk – A small car with a name that sounds more like a basketball move than a mode of transportation.
- Renault Wind – While aimed at evoking speed and freedom, in some markets, the name became a joke due to its association with flatulence.
- Hyundai Lavita – Meant to symbolize “Life” in Italian, the name felt a little out of place for an unassuming compact car.
- Kia Pride – A humble and modest car with a name that felt a bit too grandiose for its practical design.
- Tata Bolt – While it sounds dynamic, in some markets, “Bolt” was associated with negative situations like “bolting away.”
- Ford C-Max – A name that tries to convey capability, but it feels more like a code than an inviting vehicle name.
- Suzuki Cappuccino – A cute and tiny convertible with a name inspired by coffee. While fun, it felt odd for a car name.
- Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT – Adding “EXT” to an already bold name made it feel excessive and overly dramatic.
- Volkswagen Fox – While it’s meant to be small and clever like the animal, the name felt too basic for a vehicle.
- Lamborghini Reventón – An exotic car with a name that translates to “explosion,” which felt ironic for a high-end luxury car.
- Proton Exora – A family car with a name that sounds like it belongs in a science-fiction movie rather than the suburbs.
- Toyota Raum – A name that translates to “room” in German, which was practical but felt too mundane for a car.
- Nissan Cube – The boxy design matched the name perfectly, but it still felt oddly simplistic and uninspired.
- Peugeot Expert – A commercial van with a name that seemed to boast about its capabilities, which some found overly confident.
- Daihatsu Wake – A tiny car with a name that seemed to suggest rising from sleep, which was oddly specific for a vehicle.
- Fiat Ritmo – Italian for “rhythm,” but it didn’t resonate as a car name in many markets, feeling abstract and strange.
- Chevrolet Spark EV – While “Spark” is fitting for an electric vehicle, adding “EV” made it sound overly technical.
- Honda Freed Spike – A quirky name for a van that attempted to sound adventurous but came across as peculiar.
- Nissan Elgrand – A luxurious van with a name that sounded oddly like “Elegant” but left some confused with its spelling.
- Mazda Carol MeLady – A kei car with a name that sounds more like a polite greeting than a car.
- Ford Aspire – A compact car with a name that felt a little too ambitious for its modest design.
- Suzuki Ignis – While meant to evoke fire and energy, “Ignis” reminded some of the word “ignition” in a negative context.
- Volkswagen Touareg – Named after a North African nomadic tribe, it was unique but difficult for many to pronounce.
- Renault Koleos – While stylish, the name translates to an anatomical part in certain languages, making it unintentionally funny.
- Hyundai Getz – A compact car with a name that left many asking, “Getz what?”
- Toyota Picnic – A practical family car with a name that sounds more like a weekend activity than a vehicle.
- Fiat Multipla – Known for its odd design, the name “Multipla” added to the quirky reputation of this car.
- Subaru Legacy Touring Bruce – Adding “Bruce” to the name made it sound more like a person than a car.
- Chevrolet Celta – While the name aimed to sound sleek, it reminded some of “Celery,” giving it an odd connotation.
- Daihatsu Rocky – A small SUV with a name that seemed too rugged for its size, leading to some amusement.
- Mitsubishi Pajero – While it’s a popular SUV, its name is a slang term in Spanish-speaking countries, making it infamous there.
- Chery Sweet – A name that aimed to be cute but sounded more like a dessert than a car.
- Peugeot Bipper Tepee – A van with a name that sounds more like a camping accessory than a vehicle.
- Great Wall Hover – An SUV with a name that suggested it might float, creating amusing misunderstandings.
- Tata Nano – While intended to highlight its small size, the name “Nano” felt overly simplistic for a car.
- Honda Crossroad – A name that sounded overly dramatic for a practical SUV, as if it was always at a life-changing decision point.
- Toyota Urban Cruiser – While descriptive, the name sounded more like a fancy nickname than a car model.
- Mazda Demio – A name that doesn’t have a clear meaning, leaving many wondering what it was supposed to convey.
- Renault Fuego – Meaning “fire” in Spanish, it was bold but left some wondering if the car was prone to overheating.
- Hyundai Veloster – While meant to combine “velocity” and “roadster,” the name left many confused by its odd mashup.
- Chevrolet SS – A powerful car with a name that felt too minimalist and failed to capture attention.
- Lada Kalina – A name that translates to “Viburnum,” a type of plant, which felt strangely out of place for a car.
- Isuzu Rodeo – A rugged SUV with a name that made it sound more suited for a cowboy movie than the road.
- Daihatsu Boon – A compact car with a name that sounded like it was trying to celebrate something random.
- Suzuki Mighty Boy – A tiny utility vehicle with a name that felt ironic due to its small size.
- Ford EcoSport – While environmentally conscious, the name felt clunky and overly literal.
- Chrysler Prowler – A retro-styled roadster with a name that gave it a slightly creepy vibe.
- Tata Indica Vista – While “Indica” aimed to reflect India, the combination with “Vista” felt overly complicated.
- Fiat Strada Adventure Locker – A small truck with an excessively long and detailed name, as if trying too hard.
- Nissan Stagea – A station wagon with a name that sounded like it belonged in a theater rather than on the road.
- Mazda Laputa – A name that translates to “the whore” in Spanish, making it infamous in Spanish-speaking markets.
- Hyundai Click – A compact car with a name that sounded more like a computer mouse than a vehicle.
- Toyota Ipsum – A minivan with a name that sounded like placeholder text from a design template.
- Daihatsu Move Canbus – While trying to sound modern, the name ended up sounding like a confusing tech product.
- Ford Kuga – A compact SUV with a name that reminded some of “cougar,” which didn’t always feel appropriate.
- Volkswagen Routan – A minivan with a name that seemed like a strange combination of “route” and “sedan,” leaving many puzzled.
The world of car naming is full of creativity, but sometimes it ventures into the realm of the downright weird. From mistranslations to bold but confusing ideas, these names have left their mark on automotive history, sparking both amusement and curiosity.
They remind us that even the most well-thought-out marketing strategies can result in unexpected humor or head-scratching moments.
Whether you’re an automotive enthusiast, a trivia lover, or simply enjoy a good laugh, these weird car names prove that cars aren’t just about performance or design—they’re also about personality.
Next time you see a car with an unusual name, take a moment to appreciate the story behind it.
