If you’ve ever felt a bit silly giving your car a nickname, think Herbie the Love Bug vibes, you’re definitely not alone. Turns out, almost half of Brits admit to doing it, and there are some surprisingly sweet reasons why. Both men and women seem to have a soft spot for the name Babe.
A study by Aviva found that 49% of drivers give their cars pet names, whether out of habit, humour, or just pure sentiment. They even released a top 10 list, plus separate charts for men and women. Across the board, Babe came out on top, followed by Betty, Daisy, Ruby, and Pearl. Interestingly, men mostly went for Babe, while women favoured Daisy.
Age plays a role too. Drivers under 25 tend to name their cars Pearl, while those over 45 stick with Daisy. There are regional quirks as well. Bristol drivers like Bertie, Belfast opts for Pearl, Leeds leans toward the slightly spooky Ghost, and Edinburgh just can’t get enough of Daisy.
Aviva’s motor claims manager, Martin Smith, explained why this happens. “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.
He continued, "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."
Top 10 car nicknames for all drivers:
- Babe
- Betty
- Daisy
- Ruby
- Pearl
- Ghost
- Bertie
- Molly
- Winnie
- Rex
Men: Babe, Ghost, Betty, Ruby, Daisy, Rex, Bertie, Herbie, Molly, Hank
Women: Daisy, Betty, Babe, Pearl, Winnie, Ruby, Molly, Bertie, Elvis, Marilyn
The love for cars shows no sign of slowing. Last year, Britain hit a record 36.1 million cars on the road, according to SMMT. For decades, experts, car brands, and even psychologists have tried to explain why we pick certain cars. Aviva found 39% of adults think their car reflects their personality, while a survey by Stellantis, Alfa Romeo’s parent company, found 40% see their car as an extension of their style.
