The Strangest Car Names Ever Used: A Journey Through Automotive Oddities

The world of automobiles is filled with innovation, performance, and, occasionally, bewildering choices—especially when it comes to naming cars. While some manufacturers opt for sleek, powerful-sounding names like “Mustang” or “Corvette,” others have taken a more unconventional route, bestowing their vehicles with monikers that range from quirky to downright bizarre. From baffling translations to questionable marketing decisions, these strange car names offer a fascinating glimpse into the sometimes perplexing world of automotive branding.

Lost in Translation: When Names Go Awry

One of the most common sources of strange car names is the challenge of translation. What sounds elegant or powerful in one language can become unintentionally comical in another.

1. Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero in Some Markets)

In Spanish-speaking countries, the word pajero has an unfortunate slang meaning—essentially translating to “wanker” or “jerk.” Unsurprisingly, Mitsubishi rebranded the SUV as the “Montero” in many regions to avoid embarrassment.

2. Mazda Laputa

Mazda’s attempt at a whimsical name backfired when Spanish speakers pointed out that la puta means “the prostitute.” The name was quickly dropped in favor of more neutral branding.

3. Chevrolet Nova

A classic case of marketing oversight: while “Nova” sounds futuristic in English, in Spanish, no va translates to “doesn’t go.” Not exactly the best name for a car meant to inspire confidence in its reliability.

Questionable Choices: What Were They Thinking?

Some car names leave us scratching our heads, wondering how they ever made it past the brainstorming session.

4. Toyota Isis

Named after the Egyptian goddess, the Toyota Isis seemed like a reasonable choice—until the extremist group ISIS emerged. Toyota swiftly discontinued the name to avoid association with terrorism.

5. Nissan Moco

In Spanish, moco means “booger” or “snot,” making the Nissan Moco an unfortunate choice for Latin American markets.

6. Ford Probe

While the name was meant to evoke exploration and innovation, many consumers found it uncomfortably medical. The Probe was discontinued in the late ’90s, partly due to its polarizing name.

Just Plain Weird: The Head-Scratchers

Some car names defy explanation entirely, leaving us to wonder if the marketing team was having a laugh.

7. Daihatsu Naked

Yes, you read that right. The Daihatsu Naked was a small kei car sold in Japan. Whether the name was meant to suggest simplicity or something more risqué remains unclear.

8. Mitsubishi Mini Active Urban Sandal

This mouthful of a name belonged to a concept car that, thankfully, never made it to production. One can only imagine the confusion at dealerships.

9. Honda That’s

A real car sold in Japan, the Honda That’s leaves much to the imagination. Was it a question? A statement? We may never know.

Cultural Missteps: When Local Humor Doesn’t Travel Well

Sometimes, a name that works in one country becomes a punchline in another.

10. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II (Iranian Market)

In Iran, the name “Silver Shadow” was deemed too Western and luxurious during the 1979 revolution, so it was rebranded as the “Shah.” Given the political climate, this was… not a great move.

11. Fiat Uno (Finland)

In Finnish, uno sounds like huono, which means “bad.” Not exactly the kind of association Fiat wanted for its popular hatchback.

Conclusion: The Art (and Misadventures) of Car Naming

Naming a car is no easy task. A great name should evoke power, elegance, or innovation—but as these examples show, even the biggest automakers can stumble into linguistic traps or make baffling branding choices. Whether lost in translation, culturally tone-deaf, or just plain odd, these strange car names remind us that even in the high-stakes world of automotive marketing, humor and missteps are never far away.

So the next time you see a car with a peculiar name, take a moment to appreciate the strange, amusing, and sometimes cringe-worthy history behind it. After all, not every vehicle can be a “Thunderbird” or a “Phantom”—some are destined to be remembered as the “Naked” or the “Moco.” And honestly, wouldn’t the automotive world be a little less fun without them?