Are you one of the people who are into names and etymology? I am one of them but do not go in depth, like the meaning or origin. Some names appeal to me, some don’t whereas some just fit. When it comes to people, if they really mean something to you or have affected you in some way, then whenever you hear that name, you recollect that impact. I am no expert, but it could be remotely linked to Neuro-Linguistics. The characterization appears when you hear the name. People spend a lot of time naming their offspring. Either they are looking for something meaningful or sometimes to carry on the tradition.
When it comes to cars, there is no stone left unturned. Even more in fact, because the name has to appeal and money is involved which is the greatest motivator.
The name for an upcoming model is of much interest to car makers. There are specific people designated for such an exercise. These people would shuffle through word connotations in many languages or depending on the segment the model is going to target the name would be decided. An off roader would have to sound rugged or gladiatorial. These things do matter a lot. Then there is the matter of adding suffixes to previous successful models, hoping to cash in and use that tag as a catapult. It may be just a marketing gimmick or an advertising ploy, but you cannot ignore it. You will not find a metrosexual component of the darker sex to drive around in a Suzuki Cappuccino or a Princess from British Leyland. It would just not work. With seemingly rising IQ levels where people know the manufacturers, the reply you expect when you ask someone what he drives would be of the model and then the conversation proceeds.
As much as people would deny the fact that cars are the extensions of ones personality, it is so. Graphology and face reading are now close to being accepted. I am a believer and proponent of using the car to study the personality. But one thing to be made sure of is that it has to be under the price range he can offer. Of course everyone would want a Gallardo or Mustang. You would notice that people who own a Wagon R are more into practical, sombre, and not too much into adventure sports. He is not looking to upgrade by gluing in a spoiler and racing wheels. On the other hand it is low maintenance, easy on the pocket, perfect for a small family and I would even say that it is bordering on the pedantic.
A certain Alden Giberson coined the term ‘Thunderbird’ in 1954 to go fantastically well with the V8 monster to be unleashed by Ford. He won $95 suit and $42 pair of trousers. This is one of the or if not the best names for a car. How you would love to say that you own a Thunderbird. You may be a teenager fighting for puberty to be made public or someone approaching a middle age crisis. Everything would be out of the window once they hear what you drive. More importantly it could be wreck, but it’s a Thunderbird! Twenty first century Gibersons and alike are charging by the letter. They would have to come up with something new and energetic. The problem here is there are so many cars coming out and also that all the good names have been taken. The Mustang, Diablo, and Vanquish are gone. Animal names that sound carnivorous or something to indicate brute power need a lot of thinking. They could arrive at a name during a scrabble accident! The ‘they’ that I continue to mention are actually naming consultants. These guys are paid a hefty sum. Talk about career avenues opening up!
Then there are the German auto giants who give two hoots on naming the car something distinctive. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi for example have no interest in glittery names. Difficult to imagine since these guys are so close to their machines. Maybe, the ‘naming consultants’ are far too expensive. Some more proof on the hefty research budgets they maintain. Okay, in all seriousness their engineering and history is a name in itself. But it would be nice to see one of their offerings with something more evocative. The Ferrari Enzo was one to step out of the tradition. It was so special that they did not feel like giving it a number as they usually do. Maybe the Germans have not created anything as yet that they feel so special about. Did I hear someone say Gullwing but that was not the official name for the car, special no doubt.
The Bentleys and Rolls Royces are awe inspiring visually. They try to maintain that appeal in the name as well. Azure, Flying spur, Phantom, etc., every one of which oozes class and appeal. Closer home, the names are more reflective of social stature, but things are changing. The owner of a Suzuki Swift does indicate a fast angle to his personality. Then something for the subtle and classy like an Accord. The Sumo is now the Sumo Grande and so on. I would like to end this by some not so inspiring car names – Diahatsu Naked, Honda Life Dunk, Mitsubishi Pistachio, and Volkswagen Thing to name a few. Then there is the Chevrolet Corvette, AC Shelby Cobra, Dodge Viper, and Plymouth Barracuda. Does it not make a difference?
