America's most popular car-inspired baby names
In 2025, the U.S. imported passenger cars worth $179.5 billion, with cars consistently ranking among the country’s top ten most imported goods. The country is also home to approximately 298 million registered motor vehicles, which, with a population of around 339 million, equates to roughly 88 vehicles for every 100 residents. In fact, America has one of the highest vehicle-to-population ratios in the world.
It’s undeniable that America is a nation of cars. From its vast size and reliance on cars for everyday travel to being the birthplace of iconic automotive brands such as Ford, which helped transform car ownership, cars are deeply embedded in American culture.
But just how far does America’s love of cars go? Would you consider naming your baby after one?
Historically, baby names have drawn inspiration from family members, religion and royalty, but today, inspiration can come from almost anywhere, including the automotive world.
According to our analysis of 2025 data from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), almost 50,000 babies (49,314) were given names associated with cars, suggesting America’s automotive influence extends beyond the roads and into the nursery.
What are the most popular car-inspired baby names?
To find the most popular car-inspired baby names, we analyzed names registered with the SSA in 2025 and compared them with current and discontinued car brands and models sold in the U.S.
We excluded spelling variations and names with weaker automotive links, such as Morgan, but included established names that also have strong connections to cars.
The most popular car-inspired baby names
Cooper is the most popular car-inspired baby name in the U.S., with 7,653 babies given the name in 2025, including 7,472 boys and 181 girls. Following the U.S. launch of the MINI Cooper in 2002, the number of babies named Cooper increased by 168% over the next five years.
Maverick is the second most popular car-inspired baby name in the U.S., with 5,954 babies given the name in 2025. Rounding out the top three is Nova, a name associated with the classic Chevrolet Nova that has also been growing in popularity as a modern baby name.
The most popular boy names inspired by cars
While many of the most popular car-inspired baby names are gender-neutral and given to both boys and girls, the data shows that some are far more popular among boys than girls.
As well as being the most popular boys’ baby name inspired by cars, Cooper is also the 27th most popular name for boys in 2025 according to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
Rounding out the top three are Maverick and Lincoln, the latter being Ford’s luxury vehicle brand.
While Lincoln is already an established name thanks to the former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, baby name registrations increased by an average of 6% annually in the five years following the car brand’s launch. In 2024, Lincoln ranked as the world’s 10th most popular luxury car brand.
What do the top boys' names mean?
All names have a meaning, whether derived from occupations, mythology, historical figures or places. But what do the most popular car-inspired boys’ names actually mean, and where do they originate?
- Cooper: of English origin, Cooper was an occupational name for a barrel or cask maker, a highly valued trade in medieval England. The MINI Cooper was named after racing car designer John Cooper, who helped transform the family car into a motorsport success.
- Maverick: said to derive from Samuel Augustus Maverick, a 19th Century Texas lawyer and land baron, Maverick has come to symbolize individuality, independence and following your own path, from Samuel’s choice not branding his cattle and allowing them to roam free.
- Lincoln: noted as a place name meaning “settlement by the lake.” The name gained popularity through U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and has become associated with leadership. The car brand was named after the president, whom its founder, Henry Leland, greatly admired.
- Enzo: a nickname for Vincenzo or Lorenzo, Enzo has become a popular name in its own right meaning “home ruler.” With its ties to Ferrari, it’s synonymous with luxury and quality.
- Atlas: ancient Greek origin, Atlas means “bearer of the heavens” or “to carry.” The name comes from the Greek Titan Atlas, who was condemned to hold up the sky for eternity as punishment for fighting against Zeus.
The most popular girl names inspired by cars
Nova is the most popular car-inspired girls’ name in the U.S., with girls accounting for 4,657 of the 4,806 babies given the name in 2025, according to SSA data.
Genesis follows in second place, with 3,527 baby girls given the name in 2025. In the five years following the launch of the Hyundai Genesis in 2008, the average annual number of babies named Genesis increased by 60%.
Completing the top three is Sienna, a name shared with the Toyota Sienna, the second most popular minivan in the U.S. according to sales data, behind the Chrysler Pacifica. The latest SSA data shows that 2,659 baby girls were named Sienna.
What do the top girls' names mean?
We’ve explored the meanings behind the most popular car-inspired boys’ names, but what about the girls’ names?
- Nova: of Latin origin, Nova means “new” and is also associated with astronomy, where a nova is a star that suddenly becomes much brighter. The name is also shared with the Chevrolet Nova.
- Genesis: of Greek origin, Genesis means “beginning,” “birth” or “creation.” The name also has strong biblical associations as the first book of the Bible, symbolizing new beginnings.
- Sienna: of Italian origin, Sienna is associated with the city of Siena in Tuscany and the warm, reddish-brown color named after the region’s natural earth pigment. The name often evokes warmth, nature and beauty.
- Dakota: derived from the Dakota people’s language, the name is commonly translated as “friend” or “ally.” It is also associated with the U.S. states of North and South Dakota, giving it connections to friendship and place.
- Capri: of Italian origin, Capri takes its name from the picturesque island in the Bay of Naples, known for its dramatic cliffs, blue waters and Mediterranean charm. The name has become associated with beauty, travel and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
The car launches with the biggest influence
As part of the analysis, we also explored which car launches were followed by the biggest increases in baby name popularity. We compared the average annual number of babies given each name in the five years before and after a car’s launch, using baby name records dating back to 1910.
America's most car-loving states and their favorite car-inspired baby names
To find out which states are most popular for car-inspired baby names, we compared the number of babies given these names in each state against total births, calculating the rate per 1,000 births.
West Virginia and Utah share the top spot, with 19.3 babies per 1,000 births given car-inspired names, followed by Iowa with 16.5. Cooper was the most popular car-inspired name in all three states.
U.S. map showing states that use the most car-inspired baby names
Nova and Cooper were the most popular names across most states, with the exception of 19 states where either the top boys, girls or both favored another car-inspired name.
Where Nova wasn’t the top girls’ name, Genesis or Sienna took the top spot, and where Cooper wasn’t the top boys’ name, Enzo, Atlas or Lincoln took the top spot.
U.S. map showing the most popular car-inspired baby name in each state
From classic names like Cooper and Lincoln to more modern choices like Nova and Atlas, America’s most popular car-inspired baby names show how closely the automotive world overlaps with naming trends.
With almost 50,000 babies given names associated with cars in the latest SSA data, these names remain popular choices for American parents, whether inspired by a favorite vehicle, family tradition or simply a name they love.