These are the hidden meanings behind the most iconic Toyota model names

Toyota has been around for decades upon decades, but we bet you didn’t know that the models that adorn every street corner have secret hidden meanings behind their names.

From Japan to Italy and even the Latin language, there are many logical reasons for each moniker.

The brand has origins that date back as far as 1918, but the meanings of the names are still as relevant now as when they first hit the production line.

Plus, they don’t just sound cool, they perform well, too.

VISIT SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie

These Toyota model names have hidden meanings beyond the exterior

Toyota is a brand that we all know and love, with many drivers across the world opting to choose one of its models as a daily driver option.

We pass them on the highway every single day, but it turns out that the model names have hidden meanings behind them, and some make total sense.

The Yaris and Supra are arguably two of the most recognizable.

But it turns out the names have Greek and Latin origins, with the Yaris using both Greek mythology and German hues.

“Toyota swapped the ‘Ch’  with ‘Ya’ – German for ‘yes’ – to symbolize the perceived reaction of European markets to the car’s styling,” explained the brand itself.

Supra, on the other hand, simply means ‘above’ in Latin after its triumph during road tests.

Next up, the Celica uses Spanish elements and translates to ‘celestial’, but another model also pays homage to the stars.

The Toyota Corona is named after the light around the sun and was given the moniker as it was so robust, meaning it was quite literally out of this world.

Its sister sounding car, the Corolla, means something entirely different, and more floral. The car gets its title from the ‘ring of petals around the central part of a flower’.

The next lot of Toyota models turns to Latin once again, with the language proving to be a key influence.

In fact, the Auris comes from the ‘aurum’, which means golden, much like its color in the concept example. The Prius also has Latin origins, and is arguably the one that is the easiest to guess.

Prius is Latin for previous, simple, and easy, right?

The brand also took key inspiration from Europe too, with Avensis coming from France and Previa having Italian origins, thanks to the word ‘Previdenza,’ meaning forethought.

Finally, the brand stayed close to its roots with one model. The Camry comes from the Japanese word ‘kanmuri’, meaning ‘crown’.

The brand has origins in the country that date all the way back to 1918 – talk about a nice homage.

Toyotas don’t just sound cool – they perform well, too

The cars are well-loved for a reason, with the budget brand boasting powerhouses beneath the hood.

It has adapted to the EV world with evidence that lies in figures, with its hybrid cars close to overtaking its gas car sales in the US.

Plus, it gives back to customers too, as one woman found out after she ‘couldn’t stop crying,’ after Toyota responded to her desperate request for a new car.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie