A recent study examining popular baby names in the United States and the United Kingdom has highlighted a continuing trend of parents drawing inspiration from car brands. By analyzing government data on baby names, a British comparison site identified the leading car-inspired names for boys and girls in 2024. In the UK, names like Leon (from Volkswagen’s Cupra brand, formerly Seat) and Bentley topped the boys’ list, while Ariya (inspired by Nissan’s electric car), Genesis (Hyundai’s luxury brand), and Mercedes (from Mercedes-Benz) were popular choices for girls.
Similarly, in the US, car-themed names have gained popularity, with rising trends noted since 2017. Notable among these are boys’ names like Soul (Kia Soul, up 786%), Chiron (Bugatti Chiron, up 200%), and Cayman (Porsche Cayman, up 150%). For girls, names such as Astra (Holden Astra, up 431%) and Odyssey (Honda Odyssey, up 179%) have seen significant increases in popularity.
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In Australia, while car-inspired names are less prevalent compared to the US and UK, there are notable trends. According to state government data from 2023, names like Cooper (Mini Cooper) were among the top choices for boys, ranking highly in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria. Austin, inspired by the historic British manufacturer, also made popular lists in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Lincoln (Ford’s luxury division) appeared in the top 100 names in New South Wales and Queensland, while Maverick (Ford Maverick ute) ranked 72nd in Queensland.
Looking back over the past century, a 2023 analysis by The Guardian revealed that some car-inspired names that were once popular have declined in usage among Australian parents. Names like Brock (after Australian racing legend Peter Brock) and Royce (Rolls-Royce) have seen fluctuations in popularity, with newer generations favoring different trends. Aston (Aston Martin) was more common in the 2010s but has since faded from current name registries.
The evolution of baby names reflects broader cultural influences, with car brands continuing to inspire naming choices across different regions.
