We all love our cars… some more than others. That’s why National Name Your Car Day is perfect for us emotionally attached car lovers.
Photo: Travis Rigel Lukas Hornung
If you’re one of 25% of US car owners, then this article really isn’t for you. You’ve already named your car (source: Nationwide Insurance). For the rest of you who’ve been neglecting the time-honored tradition of bestowing an identity on your mode of transportation, today is your chance.
October 2nd is National Name Your Car Day, and while the holiday is drawing to a close (or has already passed by the time you read this), you still have a chance to ascribe that perfect name to your four-wheeled baby.
Unfortunately, picking a name for your motorized partner is more difficult than you’d first expect.
National Name Your Car Day Encourages People To Bestow Identities on Inanimate Objects
Of course, an automotive news site like The News Wheel encourages owners to strengthen their relationships with their cars. That is why we’ve devoted our lives to automobiles, after all.
Admittedly, considering a name for your car raises a lot of questions, many we don’t have time to philosophize over today. Why do men name their cars after women? And why do women name their cars after men? Does this all go back to Nicholas Cage in Gone in Sixty Seconds?
Obviously, the answer to that last question is “No.”
But, that does reflect how even cars in entertainment have been turned into characters with the addition of a unique name. Look at Bumble Bee from Transformers, Herbie from The Love Bug, Kit from Knight Rider, and Lightning McQueen from Cars. Once the car had a name, the personality naturally followed.
Seriously now, don’t you want to just hug it?
Maybe that’s what drivers want– cars with personality. Unique relationships. That’s why an entire Name Your Car Day holiday has been made to encourage stubborn car owners to christen their Caddies.
Before you begin, here are some statistics from a Nationwide Insurance Poll taken a year ago:
- More than 31% of people are inspired by their vehicle’s color and appearance.
- Car owners between 18 and 34 are most likely to nickname their cars (totaling 36%)
- Women are more likely to have a nickname for their cars than men — 27% vs. 17%
- Men are more likely to name their cars after famous people or entertainment characters. Women are more likely to think of friend or baby names they like.
Still not sure what to name your car? It’s a hard decision, isn’t it? Good thing KARE 11 News developed some helpful tips to get the ball rolling:
- Sports cars and vehicles with fierce engines require robust, aggressive names
- Try putting “lady” in the beginning of names for smooth, sexy cat-like car.
- If you have a run-down junker, start your name “old” and a quality about it (blue, bumpy, yeller)
- Pick names that reflect your personality.
- If you have a truck, you’ll want to pick a country/Southern name
- Don’t give mundane, average names (like John, Tom, or Kate) to luxury cars. Keep them classy with sophisticated names like, “Reginald, Archibald, and Crystal.”
Hopefully by now, you have something in mind and are ready to celebrate National Name Your Car Day.
If you have a new name for your ride, or already had one, share it with us in the comments!
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.