400+ Cool Names for Cars, Trucks, and Vans

So, Your Car Needs a Name?

A great name captures the character of your vehicle and makes it feel even more like a friend. After all, you two spend a lot of time together, right? Most of us feel like our cars say a lot about who we are, so giving them names of their own is also a reflection of us, the drivers.

Of course, it's totally up to you whether you want anyone to know your car has a name. Some people fear that others will think it's silly to name an inanimate object, but I don't find this true at all. According to a survey sponsored by Toco Warranty, 56% of Americans name their vehicles.

Be proud of your vehicle, and give it a cool name. I've brainstormed a list of name ideas galore that can be used for cars, trucks, vans—or any other vehicle you drive. The only hard part will be narrowing the names down to one!

Unique Car Name Ideas

Cool Car Names for Guys

Share Your Vehicle's Name on a Vanity License Plate

Want the world to know your car's name? Personalized or custom license plates will get the job done. They're not very expensive and often offer a large variety of colors to choose from, ranging from plain and simple to fancy or glamorous. The only downside might be choosing a short enough car name to fit on the license plate.

Cool Car Names for Girls

Kickass Names for Klunker Cars

Tips for Naming Your Car, Truck, or Van

Keep these things in mind when considering car names. You don't have to follow any rules—it's your vehicle—but these tips can make the process easier.

• The color of your car can influence its name. For example, someone who owns a green-colored vehicle and is a big fan of the TMNT could name the car "Leonardo."
• The age of your vehicle can also play a big role in naming it. If you have a car from the 1970s, for instance, you might pick a name from a TV show of that decade (the General Lee from '79 comes to mind).
• Let's face it, some people take better care of their cars than others. A nickname for a work truck or old beat-up car will probably be a little different than one for a current model of some immaculate, sleek sedan. Unless, of course, you have a sense of humor and want to switch things up for fun.

Catchy Names for Convertible Cars

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Car Names Based on 3 Popular Paint Colors

Should You Paint Your Car's Name on the Door?

Having the name of your vehicle painted on its door, hood, trunk, or anywhere else is a lot like deciding on a tattoo—it's gonna be there for a while!

This decision may be frowned upon by some, but if you can afford it and are sure of the name, it looks fantastic. A paint job looks and feels much more authentic than any kind of sticker, and if it's done by a reputable painter, it won't fade anywhere near as quickly.

Cool Names for Red, Blue, or Orange Cars

Badass Truck Names

Controversial Vehicle Names Can Get You Into Trouble

I have a gay female friend who thinks the scene in the video above is the funniest in the whole film. She would actually like to own an exact replica of that truck to drive around to bars and nightclubs. The only thing that keeps her from doing it, she says, is not what her gay friends would say but what her straight friends might think of it. Bottom line: if you choose a controversial name—and put it on the plate or the paint—then be prepared for looks and comments of all kinds (good and bad).

Cute Car Names

Decals and Bumper Stickers Require Less Commitment

Vinyl stickers are great ways to display the name of your car to the rest of the world without committing to paint or personalized plates. Most can be placed on windows, bumpers, or even the body of the vehicle itself. The main benefits of stickers like these are:

• Much cheaper than a paint job
• No restriction on name length
• Artwork can be added
• Quick removal is possible without damaging the car

Perfect Names for Classic Vehicles

Creative Car Names

Dynamic Names for Electric Vehicles

People spend so much time in their cars, and it's a legal way to have fun by speeding a little bit or testing yourself a little bit, and you get to invest in your car. For some people, it becomes their baby.

— Jordana Brewster

Vehicle Names Inspired by Americana

Hot Handles for Muscle Cars

Famous TV and Movie Vehicle Names

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2021 Don