The motor retail group JCT600 has shared the most popular nicknames that UK motorists give to their cars, finding that a certain age group is far more likely to name their set of wheels.
According to a study of 2,000 drivers, the most common name that is given to cars is ‘Betsy’, with the similar ‘Betty’ ranking a close second.
John Tordoff, Executive Chairman at JCT500, described what drivers people to name their car, and noted that it’s a practice often seen with younger motorists.
He said: “Cars are a very personal thing for people. It’s an environment that people want to make their own. The personification shows our true love for our cars, making them almost feel like a part of the family.
“It is interesting to see how the younger generation are the most likely to name their cars meaning that a tradition that has been around for a long time seems likely to continue.”
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JCT600 noted that, in particular, motorists aged between 18 and 24 are most likely to name their car, with 31 percent admitting it.
The study also highlighted that 24 percent of women state that they have named their vehicle, eight percent higher than male motorists.
However, drivers could be more persuaded if they own a certain kind of car, with 40 percent of Minis having a name of their own.
The UK’s most popular car names:
- Betsy
- Betty
- Penny
- Old Girl
- Freddie
- Herbie
- Dottie
- Daisy
- Matilda
- Ralph
- Tina
Whilst Betsy is a fairly traditional name it is new to the top spot, with most UK motorists calling their car Dotty last year.
Historically, drivers were a little less creative in naming their vehicles, with a 1999 NatWest study finding that the most common name for a car that year was ‘Baby’, with ‘She’ coming second.
In comparison, 2024’s survey noted that more participants suggested unconventional names, such as Ziggy, Wispa and Misty.
