Us Brits are a strange bunch. Not content with cheese rolling, bog snorkelling and Morris dancing, half of us have also taken to giving pet names to our cars.
According to a study of 3,000 drivers by parking operator NCP (PDF link), six in ten UK drivers aged 17 to 45 have admitted to nicknaming their vehicles. The most popular names were Betty, Bertie and Bob, but worryingly, a quarter of those surveyed admitted opting for celebrity names, including Prince William, Rooney and Lady Gaga.
What is wrong with you people?
Other popular names include those derived from famous cartoon characters, sports figures and politicians. We suppose Minnie Mouse for a Mini would work, as could Usain Bolt for a Lightning Electric car, or Ed Balls for any vehicle prone to breaking down a lot.
Bizarrely, three per cent of those surveyed also admitted to naming their cars after co-workers, though most of the names chosen were heavily influenced by the biggest female celebrities of the past five years, including Cheryl Cole, Holly Willoughby and Kate Middleton.
Reassuringly, not everyone feels compelled to name their pride and joy. Twenty per cent of those surveyed said anyone that felt compelled to do so were 'sad'.
What do you think? Let's thrash this one out in on the CNET UK Facebook wall. Is it sad to name your car, or have you already done so? If so, what kind of car is it and what name does it go by? Let us know, people, we promise not to judge -- much.
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Comments 7
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anonymous 23 December, 2011 13:36
Vinnie, after Vin Diesel, cause it's my first diesel :)
Peter Hudson 23 December, 2011 15:34
May last car was a Micra that I called Dave, my current car is a Nissan Juke called Paul
Glad to know that Im not the only one who has given my car a name
tee.wilch 24 December, 2011 00:34
As long as I've been alive my collective family have owned - Betty Boo, Rita, Bazel, Alfred, Bertha, Goggins, Renee, Gramps, Dinkie, Milo, Russell and Fergus. xD
Often they arise from the number plates. Dinkies number plate ended in DNK. ^.^
anonymous 26 December, 2011 07:45
pack the police
anonymous 26 December, 2011 07:46
pack the police once more
anonymous 26 December, 2011 11:30
Cedric the entertainer....Also known simply as Cedric (combination of Harry Potter and Hiphop)
anonymous 1 February, 2012 11:08
I call my 63 Volks wagen beetle "Herbie" because he looks like Herbie.
As you can tell by the photo of my car above, which has been used without my permission.