Wembley, Frodo, Rusty, Pac-Van, Optimus Prime… what do all these things have in common? If your response is “it sounds like you have a concussion”, that’s a fair answer. But this time, no – they’re actually all listed by this Country Living article that’s rounded up 225 of what it describes as the “best car names”. Personally, we think the quality is a little choppy, but it’s all subjective!
Naming cars isn’t anything new – humans have been naming their modes of transport for time immemorial. Just a few centuries ago, for example, Henry VIII named his prized warship the Mary Rose as a sign of his affection for it. Which must have made it all the more upsetting when it ended up on the ocean floor. Similarly, countless people today name their vehicles, which can sometimes make things a bit more sad when they end up having to scrap their cars at the end of their useful lifespan.
But the question you’re probably wondering is: why do they do it in the first place? Well, let’s take a closer look at the answer!
The psychological reasons why we choose names for our cars
At the heart of it, naming a car is a way of forging a personal connection. Cars are more than just machines that get us from A to B — they often carry memories, represent independence, or serve as a second home on wheels. Giving something a name is one of the most human ways of assigning meaning to it. It’s how we personalise objects, how we give them character, and how we express affection.
Psychologists suggest this tendency stems from anthropomorphism — our natural instinct to attribute human characteristics to non-human things. Just like how a child might name their teddy bear or adults talk to their houseplants, naming a car helps us feel more connected to it. It creates familiarity, especially in something we rely on daily. When you name your car, it no longer feels like a cold piece of machinery; it becomes a trusted partner in your life.
There's also a sense of identity tied up in the name. The name you choose might reflect your personality, your humour, or your values. Whether it’s something silly, nostalgic, or oddly dignified, it tells a story — about the car, but also about you. In other words: it’s also quite fun, isn’t it?
How to choose a name for your own car
If you’re stuck for inspiration, don’t worry — there are a few classic places to look. First, think about your own preferences. The Country Living article we discussed above separated certain car names out by colour; for example, proposed names for white cars included Frosty or Marshmallow, whereas black cars got decidedly more dramatic monikers like Death Star or Phantom. Pop culture, personal heroes, or even family jokes can all provide inspiration. (Just obviously make sure to keep it relatively tasteful if you’re going to be repeating it to other people!)
Another common approach is to name the car based on its appearance or characteristics. Is your car small, nippy, and red? “Cherry” might suit. Is it large, a bit clunky, but dependable? “Tank” could be fitting. People often assign a gender to their car as well, choosing names that feel masculine, feminine, or totally neutral, depending on what vibes they get from it.
The car’s registration plate can also offer clues. Many drivers use initials or combinations from the plate as the base for a name. For instance, a car with LXY in the plate might become Lexie or Alex. One that starts with KT on the other hand, could become Katie. Or you could name your car Otto, after its otto-matic transmission.
Or, if you really want to cause some casual chaos, you could consider the simple, underrated “Dad”.
Ultimately, the right name is the one that feels natural to you — and makes you smile whenever you get behind the wheel.
Those are just a couple of our suggestions though. We’re sure you’ve got plenty of creative examples of your own! And of course, when the time does eventually come for you to send your fine four-fendered friend to the great beyond, that’s exactly where we can help here at EMR Vehicle Recycling. With more than 70 years of experience to our name, we’re committed to getting you the very best price when you scrap your car.
What’s more, it couldn’t be easier – all you have to do is enter your car reg and postcode into the fields on our homepage, and you’ll have an instant online quote before you can say scrap my car. Wondering how much yours could be worth?
