Written by: Emily Joswiak • July 10, 2023• Auto

The Meaning Behind Different Car Model Names

Did you know that the Ford Bronco was almost called the GOAT? Learn more about the origins and meanings behind different popular car model names.

During World War II, many Americans fighting overseas were supplied with “general purpose” vehicles thanks to a collaborative effort by Henry Ford, Willys-Overland Motors, and other industry-leading car manufacturers. These durable and popular trucks were often marked with the abbreviation “GP” and referred to as “jeeps” when communicating with other soldiers. Consequently, the Willys-Overland adopted this catchy nickname when they created civilian models of the GPs, eventually leading to the creation of the Jeep brand—one of the most iconic automotive companies of all time! Read on to learn three more interesting facts and stories that shed light on the meaning behind different car model names.

The Ford Bronco

Willys-Overland Motors wasn’t the only popular automotive brand that released civilian Jeeps following World War II. In fact, Ford experimented with plenty of similar 4x4s that utilized nearly identical components and boasted comparable performance. However, the release of the Ford Bronco in 1966 proved that this company could compete with YJs (early Wranglers), Land Rovers, and other popular models. But how did this highly recognizable off-roader get the name “Bronco?”

During the early days of the Ford Bronco’s storied evolution, the creative team behind this Ford SUV preferred the name “GOAT.” This was an acronym for “go-over-all-terrain” and described the advanced off-roading capabilities of the eventual Bronco. Some Ford higher-ups even suggested the name “Wrangler” to capitalize on the popularity of cowboys and Western Americana! Ultimately, Ford decided to name their newest SUV the Bronco to complement their other popular model released in 1966—the Ford Mustang! Interestingly enough, the Mustang was named after the P51 single-seat Mustang fighter plane and not the horse, but the Pony Car craze of the ’60s ensured “Bronco” would be successful in the market.

The Chevrolet Camaro

On the topic of Ford Mustangs, it’s worth mentioning the meaning behind the name of their biggest competitor. Many automotive enthusiasts believe the word draws inspiration from a French term for “comrade.” When the first Camaro was released in 1966, Chevy executives described a Camaro as a predatory animal that loved to eat mustangs. Of course, this was a lighthearted jab directed toward their contemporaries at Ford. Ultimately, its true meaning is quite anticlimactic; Chevrolet manufactured the name because it started with a “c” and, in their opinion, paired well with the Pony Car design.

Volkswagen Golf

While many American-made cars are named after horses and other animals, foreign cars often choose less traditional names. In the case of the Volkswagen Golf, this name is not actually a nod to the popular sport. Rather, this hatchback draws inspiration from the Gulf Stream, and “Golf” is simply the brand’s spelling choice. In fact, many of their vehicles are named after geographic winds, including the Jetta (Jet Stream), Polo (Polar Winds), Passat (Trade Winds), and Scirocco (the Mediterranean Sirocco winds). The design team behind the Volkswagen Golf does include elements related to the sport, such as adding a golf-ball-like shifting knob and tartan fabric (found in the Golf GTI).

There is plenty of hidden meaning behind different car model names worth learning about further, especially for automobile enthusiasts. Understanding how design teams name their creations gives you a greater appreciation for their thoughtfulness and engineering skills.

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Last modified: July 10, 2023