The most popular names for cars revealed – and why we give them nicknames in the first place

New research from Aviva reveals that Brits aren’t just driving their cars; they’re naming them too. From Daisy to Rex, UK car owners are giving their vehicles a nickname, with the reasons ranging from habit and humour to heartfelt attachment^[1].

In a survey of 4,000 UK adults, nearly half (49%) of those who’ve ever owned a car say they’ve given it a name^[2]. Among the most popular are Babe, Betty, Daisy, and Ruby, with nearly one in six saying the name simply “suits the car” (14%), while one in eight always name their vehicles (12%).

Other favourites include Pearl, Molly, Bertie, Ghost, and Winnie, while Herbie, Elvis, Nessie, and Delilah also make the list across different age groups. Some drivers base the name on the car’s colour, make or model (11%), while others use details from the registration plate (10%) or routes they regularly travel (6%). Nearly one in 10 (9%) say the name has a strong personal meaning, and for some, the bond seems to run even deeper, with 9% giving a nickname because they view their car as an extension of the family.

The top nicknames also continue to differ across different age groups. While Pearl is the most popular nickname given by car owners surveyed aged 24 or under, Daisy places top for those aged 45 or over. 

Likewise, Pearl is favoured for motors surveyed in Belfast, while cars are most likely to be given the nickname Winne in Southampton, or Bertie in Bristol. The spring-like name of Daisy is most common for vehicles in Edinburgh and Sheffield, whereas Leeds opts for a darker tone with the name Ghost.  

The emotional connections car owners feel towards their vehicles can be seen across the research as nearly two in five (39%) consider their car to be an extension of their personality.

Martin Smith, Motor Claims Manager at Aviva, said: “Whether it’s a funny nickname or a heartfelt tribute, naming a car can often reflect just how meaningful that vehicle is to its owner. Not only do we spend a vast amount of time in our cars in our everyday routines, but cars are also tied to many chapters of our lives. From memorable road trips with friends to dropping the kids off at university for the first time, it’s easy to see how we can become so attached to our vehicles and the memories they carry.

“With so many feeling attached to their cars, it's important to keep up with regular maintenance, servicing and of course appropriate insurance cover - all of which will help to keep your car on the roads for as long as possible."

Read the full Miles of Memories research.

-Ends- 

References:

^1. _{The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 4,000 nationally representative respondents. The data was collected between 07.02.2025 - 12.02.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.} 

 _{39% statistic combines ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Somewhat agree’ answer options. [↑]}

^2. _{Inverse of ‘N/A – I have never given my/my household's car a name’ and excludes ‘Unsure / can't remember’ answer options. [↑]}

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