Peter Lyon
November 17, 2024
In an age where young people don’t quite feel the attachment to their cars that we older generation did over 30 years ago, it’s good to see many drivers giving their vehicles nicknames—to help create a bond between them and their motors. A recent survey in the UK focuses on the names that Gen Z give to their cars.
Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z drivers in the UK have a nickname for their vehicle, with Baby being the most common, says recent research by Honda UK.
The new study explores how UK drivers personify their cars and which driving memories trigger the most nostalgia.
The survey of 1,500 UK drivers found that while most (77%) still call their vehicle a “car,” younger drivers are much more likely to give it nicknames. Favourites include affectionate names like “Baby”, “Babe,” and “Betty.” Power-driven names like “Beast” and “Rocket” were also popular. Nostalgic picks like “Herbie,” “Churchill,” and “Elvis” also made the list.
Troy, 31, from London, shared how his family named their small white car “Blanco”: “My partner always wanted to name the car, and my daughter just enjoys naming things. Knowing your car has a nickname evokes positive emotions – it feels like it’s part of the family in some weird way.”
According to drivers Honda spoke to, giving cars nicknames helps create an emotional connection. Whether it’s about affection, personality, or nostalgia, these names become part of the driver’s own story.
Jennika, 31, from Leeds, added: “I call mine Penny the Polo. My mum randomly came up with the name, and it just stuck! I used to get called Penny at school (not really sure why), and it rhymes with Jenny, plus the alliteration of Penny the Polo just works. It’s a great conversation starter – I always talk about her as if she’s a person, which gets a few laughs.”
The survey goes beyond nicknames, looking into the emotional bond drivers have with their cars. Nearly half (42%) said that specific songs or genres bring back memories of past journeys.
Millennials are the most nostalgic when it comes to music, with 46% reflecting on songs that shaped their formative driving years. Boomers, on the other hand, feel most nostalgic when seeing classic cars on the road (29%) and the days of using physical maps (24%). Yep, that’s me — a boomer. I get all nostalgic whenever I see and old Jag or Porsche or Alfa Romeo or Lotus. And I am most at home listening the 70’s hits from bands like the Eagles, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Carol King, Earth Wind and Fire and Billy Joel.
Celebrating 25 years of hybrids, Honda shared a milestone that mirrors Gen Z’s age. Drivers in this age group (29%) often feel nostalgic about simple things, like the breeze through an open window.
Honda’s survey also shows how nostalgic trends differ by region. In London, 48% of drivers say listening to specific songs or genres brings back good memories, and 42% enjoy stopping at familiar spots such as roadside cafes or scenic lookouts.
In the East Midlands 40% link positive memories to driving familiar routes, and 33% of people in South East tie good times to the company they share while driving.
Honda Regional Operations Manager (South), Graham Hawkins said “It’s clear that in London, music is a key part of the driving experience. Whether it’s nostalgic tunes or festive playlists, it plays an important role in connecting drivers to their journeys.”
The three most positive driving triggers are:
- Listening to specifics songs that rekindle a good memory
- Revisiting routes you’ve driven in the past
- Stopping at familiar spots (diners etc)
CARLIST THOUGHTS
How about you? Have you given a nickname to your car? I used to call my cars using women’s names as it just seemed like the right thing to do. I called my Datsun 1600 (510) ‘Demi,’ my Audi 90 ‘Andromeda,’ my Jaguar XJ8 ‘Jade’ and my Mercedes E-Class ‘Mandy.’ I feel that giving your car a name makes you want to take care of it a little better — so why not give it a try if you don’t already do it?
