Car names, while intended to reflect the car’s character or impress potential buyers, can sometimes land with an unexpected thud. These very public misjudgements have led to some seriously hilarious or just plain odd vehicle names over the years.
Buckle up as we take a ride through some of the more awkward four-wheeled faux-pas to have ever graced the road.
Toyota MR2: A distinctly pooey problem in France
The Toyota MR2 is an iconic car in the automotive world, known for its sleek design and mid-engine layout. However, it is also notorious for its name, particularly in France. In the 1980s, when Toyota launched the MR2, the name “MR2” was translated into French as “Merde” (which sounds like “M” followed by “R2” in French pronunciation), and the word "merde" means “poo” or “sh*t” in French.
This unfortunate coincidence forced Toyota to alter the car’s name in France to the “MR Deux,” which was simply a play on the word “Deux” (meaning two in French). While this fixed the issue in terms of pronunciation, it didn’t do much to remove the awkward association that still follows the model to this day. The MR2 remains a classic, and there's a 2025 relaunch on the cards, but its name continues to be a source of international embarrassment for the automaker. Despite this, many car enthusiasts still fondly remember the MR2 for its performance and design—just not for its unfortunate name.
Mitsubishi Pajero: A misstep for Spanish-speakers
Another car name that caused a global stir is the Mitsubishi Pajero. In many English-speaking markets, the Pajero is considered a reliable and rugged SUV. However, Mitsubishi failed to consider the name’s unfortunate connotation in Spanish-speaking countries. In Spain and parts of Latin America, 'Pajero' is slang for a 'masturbator' or 'wanker', making the name quite inappropriate for a family-friendly vehicle.
Mitsubishi, eager to avoid any potential scandal, rebranded the Pajero in Spanish-speaking countries as the Mitsubishi Montero, which roughly translates to “mountaineer” in Spanish. While the name change was made to avoid any embarrassment, it was a classic example of a brand not fully understanding the cultural nuances of the markets it was selling to. Despite the controversy, the Pajero (or Montero) remains a popular SUV in many regions of the world.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow: Things nearly got very mucky!
When it comes to luxury, few brands are as synonymous with opulence as Rolls-Royce. However, even this esteemed brand wasn’t immune to the occasional blunder. In the 1960s, Rolls-Royce initially planned to name one of their most prestigious models the “Silver Mist.” The problem? In German, “Mist” means “manure” or “dung,” which is hardly the association you want with a high-end automobile.
The brand quickly reconsidered the name and opted for “Silver Shadow” instead. This rebranding decision was one that undoubtedly saved Rolls-Royce from what could have been a very embarrassing situation. “Silver Shadow” sounded luxurious, sophisticated, and befitting the brand's image, while “Silver Mist” would likely have resulted in a lot of laughter and potential ridicule in key European markets.
Ford Pinto: Just too flaming good
The Ford Pinto was a car that was not only badly named but also infamous for its safety issues. Released in the 1970s, the Pinto was designed to be an affordable, compact car for the masses. However, the name “Pinto,” which means “small” or “speckled” in Spanish, was already a controversial choice, given the car’s unfortunate reputation for explosive fuel tank incidents.
While the name “Pinto” itself wasn’t necessarily the problem, it certainly became associated with the car’s safety flaws, as it was widely reported that the car could easily catch fire in rear-end collisions. Despite the name’s harmless origin, the Pinto became a symbol of bad design and poor decision-making by Ford. The car’s failure to live up to its promises, coupled with its name, solidified the Pinto as one of the most unfortunate models in automotive history.
Chevrolet Nova: Getting lost in translation
Chevrolet’s Nova was another classic example of a car name that didn’t quite translate well. The Nova was released in the 1960s and was aimed at the Latin American market. However, Chevrolet failed to account for the fact that in Spanish, “no va” means “doesn’t go” or “won’t run.” This unintended pun made the car’s name sound as if it was destined to fail. The Nova did fairly well in the United States but struggled in Latin America due to its less-than-appealing name.
While Chevrolet did later address the issue and moved on, the Nova is a great example of why car brands need to consider the meanings of their names in other languages. The lesson here? Always double-check the translation before slapping a name on a new car model.
Daihatsu Naked: Big in Japan
Launched in 1999, the Daihatsu Naked was what the Japanese refer to as a 'kei car' – the smallest category of Japanese motorway-legal motor vehicles.
With rugged styling cues such as ridges in the doors and exposed hinges and bolts, the compact squared-off design was the fashion forerunner of other road cars such as the Volkswagen CrossPolo, Rover Streetwise, and Citroën C3 XTR (predecessor of the equally awkwardly named Citroën C4 Cactus).
Would you like to drive a Daihatsu Naked? While the name 'naked' is obviously referencing the car's stripped back design, it's ability to promote stifled sniggers has potentially restricted its popularity outside of Japan.
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Car naming quirks and legends
The automotive industry is a world of bold ideas, and when it comes to naming, the goal is always to be remembered—even if it means starting with a misstep. A name that makes you smile, question, or downright cringe has its own kind of power. Whether it’s an innocent mistake or an audacious attempt to stand out, car names can take on a life of their own and even outlast the cars themselves. Who doesn't love a good story behind the name of your ride?
From the Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce and the Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard to Mazda’s quirky pair—the Bongo Friendee and Titan Dump—there’s no shortage of car names that pose more questions than answers.
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