13 Cars Named After Real Places

Car names are more powerful than they may seem. A name can shape how people imagine a car even before they see it. Because of this, automakers spend a lot of time choosing names that sound exciting, memorable, and meaningful. Sometimes the name suggests speed or power, while other times it hints at luxury or adventure. One interesting trend in the auto industry is naming cars after real places. These places might be scenic towns, famous roads, mountains, or historic locations. By borrowing the identity of a real place, car manufacturers give their vehicles a story and personality. A great place-based name can instantly create a vivid picture. For example, hearing the name “California” may remind people of sunny coastlines and relaxed road trips. A name inspired by a mountain pass might suggest thrilling driving and sharp curves. When the name matches the character of the car, it becomes even more powerful. Over the years, many famous cars have been named after real places around the world, and each one carries a fascinating connection to its namesake.

Lamborghini Jarama

The Lamborghini Jarama takes its name from the Jarama region in Spain, a place famous for breeding fighting bulls. This region is also home to the Jarama racing circuit, which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix between 1968 and 1981. Ferruccio Lamborghini had already built a tradition of naming his cars after fighting bulls, including models like the Miura and Murciélago, but the Jarama was named after the region itself rather than a specific bull. The racing circuit at Jarama was known for its complex layout and extremely hot racing conditions, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which made the track challenging for both drivers and their cars. Lamborghini introduced the Jarama in 1970 as a powerful grand touring car, and during an early road test by Motor magazine, the vehicle experienced an electrical issue that caused its lights to fail. Despite this problem, the car still impressed reviewers. The Jarama was powered by a 3.9-liter quad-cam V12 engine producing 350 horsepower, and even though it was a high-performance sports car, it offered a surprisingly comfortable ride. Ferruccio Lamborghini reportedly considered the Jarama to be his personal favorite among all the cars produced by his company.

Ford F-150 King Ranch

Some car names come from places that are larger than cities or towns, and the Ford F-150 King Ranch is a perfect example. Many people assume the name simply suggests strength or leadership, but King Ranch is actually a real place in Texas. King Ranch is one of the largest ranches in the United States and covers about 825,000 acres of land across six counties, making it larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. The ranch began as a small cattle camp established in 1852 by Gideon Lewis and Richard King, and over time, it expanded and became a massive agricultural operation. Originally, the ranch focused on raising Longhorn cattle, but it later developed its own breed called Santa Gertrudis cattle. Today, King Ranch is involved in cattle ranching, farming, citrus production, pecan processing, and recreational hunting. By naming its premium truck after this legendary ranch, Ford created a vehicle that represents both luxury and the rugged lifestyle of the American West.

Ferrari Portofino

The Ferrari Portofino is named after the beautiful seaside village of Portofino on the Italian Riviera. This picturesque town is known for its colorful buildings, peaceful harbor, and luxurious Mediterranean atmosphere, and visitors from around the world travel there to enjoy scenic views, art galleries, cafés, and elegant yachts. Ferrari chose this name because it perfectly represents stylish and relaxed luxury, and just like the town itself, the Ferrari Portofino blends beauty with sophistication. The car is a grand touring convertible designed for both performance and comfort. Powered by a 591-horsepower V8 engine, the Ferrari Portofino delivers thrilling speed while still offering a smooth ride for long journeys. The name itself makes people imagine driving along scenic coastal roads with the wind in their hair and the sea nearby.

Bentley Bentayga

The Bentley Bentayga takes its name from Roque Bentayga, a dramatic rock formation located on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain’s Canary Islands. This massive formation rises above the surrounding landscape and consists of three towering rock pillars, and for the indigenous people of the island, the location was considered sacred. Today, the site is recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area because of its cultural and historical importance. Bentley chose the name Bentayga to symbolize strength, endurance, and natural beauty. Introduced in 2015, the Bentayga became Bentley’s first SUV and was designed to combine the company’s legendary luxury with impressive performance. The original model featured a powerful 6.0-liter W12 engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about four seconds despite weighing more than 5,600 pounds. Later versions included V8 and hybrid engines, and the 2026 Bentayga Speed produces 641 horsepower and even includes a drift mode.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is named after the Stelvio Pass, one of the most famous driving roads in the world. Located in the Italian Alps near the border between Italy and Switzerland, the Stelvio Pass is known for its breathtaking scenery and challenging curves. The road sits high in the mountains and sometimes experiences snow even during the summer months, and it is famous for its many sharp switchbacks that test the skill of drivers and the performance of their vehicles. Alfa Romeo used this legendary road as inspiration for its sporty SUV. Introduced in the United States for the 2018 model year, the Stelvio features a turbocharged engine and a chassis designed for agile handling, and its name perfectly captures the excitement of driving along a twisting mountain road.

Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano is named after Murano, a group of small islands near Venice in Italy. Murano is famous around the world for its centuries-old tradition of glassmaking, and skilled artisans on the islands create beautiful glass sculptures, jewelry, and decorative pieces. Although glass might seem like an unusual inspiration for an SUV, Nissan likely chose the name to suggest creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic design, and the name Murano also sounds distinctive and elegant. First introduced in 2003, the Nissan Murano quickly became one of the company’s most successful vehicles. In 2025, the SUV received a major redesign that gave it a more modern and upscale appearance, and although sales initially slowed after the redesign, they soon recovered and doubled by the end of the year.

GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia takes its name from Acadia National Park in the U.S. state of Maine. Covering around 50,000 acres, the park is known for its rugged mountains, coastal scenery, forests, and islands. One of the park’s most famous landmarks is Cadillac Mountain, and visitors can drive to the summit using an auto road, making it the highest viewpoint on the East Coast that can be reached by car. By naming its SUV after this national park, GMC created an image of adventure and exploration. The GMC Acadia is a midsize SUV designed to combine comfort with capability, and the 2026 model includes a turbocharged engine producing 328 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission, with optional all-wheel drive for added versatility.

Bentley Mulsanne

The Bentley Mulsanne is named after Mulsanne Corner, a famous turn on the Circuit de la Sarthe race track used for the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France. Bentley has a tradition of naming its cars after corners on this historic track, including the Bentley Arnage. Although the Mulsanne is a large luxury sedan, it still delivers impressive performance. The car uses a powerful 6.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 530 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque in the 2020 model. Despite its size and luxury features, the Bentley Mulsanne could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about five seconds. The modern generation of the car was produced from 2011 to 2020, while an earlier version existed between 1980 and 1992.

Renault Floride

The Renault Floride was named after the U.S. state of Florida, although the name was written in a French style and pronounced “floor-EED.” When the car was sold in the United States, Renault decided to rename it the Caravelle because the company believed American buyers might not want to drive a car named after a specific state. Produced from 1958 to 1968, the Floride and Caravelle were stylish roadsters with distinctive designs. The cars featured elegant body lines, large headlights, and small tailfins that reflected the design trends of the era. The vehicle used a rear-engine layout and was powered by small four-cylinder engines. Early models produced 37 horsepower from an 845-cc engine, while later models used a 956-cc engine producing 45 horsepower.

Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade takes its name from the Pacific Palisades, a scenic coastal area in Southern California known for its dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hyundai introduced the Palisade in 2020 as a large three-row SUV designed for families and long journeys, and the name was intended to evoke images of coastal beauty and strength. For the 2026 model year, the Palisade received a redesign that gave it a more luxurious appearance. The SUV offers two engine options, including a 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a 329-horsepower hybrid system, and inside the vehicle features premium materials and a modern curved display that includes two 12.3-inch screens.

Plymouth Savoy

The Plymouth Savoy became its own model in 1954, although the name had previously been used as a trim level on station wagons. The Savoy remained a full-size model until 1961 and later continued on a smaller platform between 1962 and 1964. The car’s name came from the famous Savoy Hotel in London, which opened in 1889. The hotel was created by Richard D’Oyly Carte and was designed to resemble modern American hotels of the time. The Savoy Hotel quickly became known for its luxury and innovation. It was the first hotel in London to feature electric lighting and elevators, which were then called “ascending rooms.” The hotel also became famous for hosting extravagant events, including parties where the courtyard was flooded to resemble the canals of Venice.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon / Gladiator Rubicon

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon are named after the Rubicon Trail in California, which is one of the most famous and challenging off-road routes in the United States and connects Georgetown with Lake Tahoe. The name Rubicon also has historical significance because it refers to the Rubicon River in Italy, which Julius Caesar famously crossed with his army, an event that started a civil war and eventually made Caesar the ruler of Rome. Jeep vehicles, however, are specifically named after the off-road trail. Since 1952, Jeep enthusiasts have gathered every year to drive along the Rubicon Trail, and Jeep also uses the route to test the off-road capabilities of its vehicles.

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is named after the Kona district on the Big Island of Hawaii. This region stretches along the island’s western coastline and is known for its beautiful beaches, calm waters, and sunny weather. Kona is also famous for its coffee farms and outdoor activities such as snorkeling, sailing, and deep-sea fishing. Visitors to the area can see dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles in the surrounding waters. Historically, the region was the landing place of Captain James Cook and later became the final home of King Kamehameha. Hyundai introduced the Kona in North America in 2018 as a stylish subcompact SUV designed for modern lifestyles. The 2026 Kona was ranked the top subcompact SUV by Kelley Blue Book and was praised for its design, technology, warranty coverage, and practicality.