Zipcar names its cars for 25 years, seeks votes for the best Zipcar name
March 21, 2025

Zipcar Launches Name Game Tournament

What’s in a (Zip)car name? Ships were named as early as the 3rd millennium BC in Babylonia, and the first widely recognized pet name for a vehicle was “Tin Lizzie,” the name commonly used to refer to the Ford Model T. Today, it’s a no-brainer to give boats and cars names. Some have even become famous like the Batmobile, Ecto-1 and Herbie “The Love Bug.” 

Since Zipcar first launched on city streets 25 years ago, it has named every vehicle in its fleet of thousands! 

  • Bilbo: The name of the first Zipcar, a VW beetle, parked in front of Co-Founder and former CEO Robin Chase’s house in Cambridge, MA. 

  • Amp, Effervescent, Electric Avenue, Electric Eel, Flash, Gamma, Jolt, Joule, Kilowatt, Kinetic, Neutron, Spark, Static, Surge, Usain (Bolt), Volt, Wall-E, Watts: Electrified names given to Zipcar’s first set of EVs launched after Zipcar EV pilot, “Project Edison.”  

  • Spaghetti and Meatball: A dynamic duo parked next to The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant in Portland, Oregon.  

  • Nissan Altima Soup: and “Nissan Sentra Bowl” for the 2016 Super Bowl.  

  • Stephen and Colbert: Two side-by-side cars named after late-night funnyman Stephen Colbert.  

  • I Do: A Mini renamed for a Zipcar member's wedding.  

  • McConaughey: When an episode of South Park spoofed Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln commercials, with the actor driving a Zipcar in a “Wacky Races” course, Zipcar honored the animated likeness by naming a Lincoln MKX “McConaughey.”  

Zipcar Name Tournament 
It’s time for the ultimate showdown! 🚦 Participants can drop their favorite Zipcar name in the comments of Zipcar’s Name Game social post, and the Zipcar team will select 16 names to compete in the tournament, declaring one vehicle the ultimate winner (and a winner who gets $50 in driving credit!). 

To find Zipcar names, head to www.zipcar.com and search for Zipcars near you; on the Zipcar app, click on the car a booking (the name will appear in the top left corner); or check out a Zipcar’s nametag on the upper-right of a Zipcar windshield.  
 
Stay tuned to Zipcar stories to vote round by round until the final champion is crowned! The first round begins March 27. Submit names today! 🏁🏀