Photos of 28 cars and the funny popular nicknames given to them by Nigerians
It is normal these days to hear cars called by their nicknames more than their original names in Nigeria, it’s already part of our culture to give cars names for some reasons. It could be due to looks, size, specifications, type of people driving it e.t.c . Here are 28 cars and their Nigerian nicknames which you might find funny.
Volkswagen Beetle - “Ijapa”


The Volkswagen Beetle was quite popular in Nigeria in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s. Its official name is the Volkswagen Type 1 or the Beetle. However, Nigerians call it “Tortoise” or “Ijapa”. The car has some resemblance with the tortoise in it’s shape.
Honda Accord 1985 - “Pure Water”

The Honda Accord 1985 was nicknamed “pure water” by Nigerians due to how common it was during the 90’s.
Honda Accord 1990 - “Honda Halla”

One of the most common cars of the middle earners in Nigeria from 2008-2014, Honda Halla represents the fourth generation of the Accord. It is dubbed as “Honda Halla” in most parts of the country.
Honda Accord (1993-1998) European Spec - “Bullet”

This Honda Accord is of European specifications and is called “bullet” because of it’s shape.
Honda Accord 1993, US Spec - “Honda Bulldog”

Very common in the 2000’s, it is a fifth generation Honda Accord popularly nicknamed “Bulldog”.
Honda Accord 1999 US Spec - “Baby boy”

Famous in the early 2000’s, it was a car used by high end Nigerians till it went out of vogue in the late 2000’s, the name “baby boy” is said to have been gotten from the movie Baby Boy starring Snoop Dogg and Tyrese Gibson released in 2001.
Honda Accord (1998-2002) European Spec - “Honda Adidas”

Not as common as the most of the other Honda Accord cars but it was given the nickname “Honda Adidas”.
Toyota Starlet (1984-1989) - “Feeding Bottle”

One of the few cars that was used in the 80’s and had a nickname in Nigeria, it was given the nickname “Feeding Bottle”.
Toyota Corolla Liftback 1987 - “First Lady”

This was a car driven by the elite in the early 90’s in Nigeria. The liftback car was usually driven by females is why it was given the nickname “First Lady”.
Toyota Camry (1992-1996) - “Orobo”

“Orobo” is a Yoruba word meaning “thick” or “fat”, the name “orobo” was brought about due to the Toyota Camry being thicker than the models before it.
Toyota Camry (1997-1999) - “Pencil”

Still one of the most used cars presently in Nigeria, the Toyota Camry released in 1997 came as a surprise as the previous model was thick, the tail lights were like that of a pencil, that is the reason it is called “Pencil”.
Toyota Camry (1999-2001) - “Envelope”


Very similar to the model before it, the difference in looks between the two are the tail lights, that is the reason for this car being called “envelope”. The tail lights resemble that of an envelope.
Volvo 200/700 Series Wagon - “Coffin”

The Volvo 200/700 series wagons are known for their ruggedness. They have the projecting so-called coffin-nose and grille. This was perhaps what informed the nickname nickname “Coffin” in Nigeria. This coupled with the fact that it is commonly used as a hearse – a vehicle for conveying the dead in a coffin/casket.
Mercedes Benz 200/230 (1980) – “Regular” or “Flat boot”

It was named “regular benz” or “flat boot” to distinguish it from other types of benz at the time, there was another model of benz nicknamed “v-boot” at the time. It was shipped in from Germany in high numbers in the 90’s and was arguably the most common cars of the decade. It is very common to see them in Nollywood movies of the late 90’s and the early 2000’s.
Mercedes Benz W124 E-Class (1985 to 1996) – “V-Boot”

The Mercedes Benz W124 E-Class was a car of the elite in the 90’s and early 2000’s, it was given the name “V-boot” due to the shape of the boot which is like that of the letter V.
Mercedes Benz 190 (1982 – 1993) – “Baby Benz”

This was an exquisite car back in the 90’s, it looks very similar to the “v-boot”, it is usually called “baby benz”.
Mercedes Benz W114/W115 (1968–1976) – “Murtala”

The Mercedes Benz W114/W15 had a production run from 1968 to 1976. It was popular in Nigerians amongst the affluent and political leaders. It was nicknamed “Murtala” by Nigerians, popularly due to the fact that it was the model of Mercedes-Benz that the late Head-of-State, Murtala Mohammed, was assassinated in.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126) (1979 – 1991) – “Shagari”

The Mercedes Benz S-Class 1979 was popularly known as “Shagari” by Nigerians. The name was given to the car because it was the official car (model) of President Shehu Shagari in 1979 when he became president.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1991) – “Beast”

The 1991 Mercedes-Benz S500 was referred to as the “Beast” in the 90’s and early 2000’s. That reference was due to its intimidating presence among other cars on the road then.
Toyota Corolla (2003) – “Bank Type”

This particular brand of Toyota Corolla was wider used by bankers nationwide leading many to call it “bank type”.
Toyota Camry (2003) – “Big Daddy” or “Big for Nothing”

This Toyota Camry was dubbed “big for nothing” or “big daddy” because of it's size, it was a relatively spacious car when it came out.
Honda Accord (2003-2005) - “End of Discussion” or “EOD”

The Honda Accord 2003 earned its nickname ‘End of Discussion’ because it was the tagline used in the advert promoting the car. The name arose as a result of the unending debate about what brand is better between the Honda and Toyota, the two leading car brands at the time.
Lines were drawn and the cars were pitched against one another: Accord and Camry, Civic and Corolla. Then Honda Accord 2003 was unveiled and it ended the comparison.
Honda Accord (2006-2007) - “Discussion Continues” or “DC”

The name “Discussion Continues” was relating to the previous model of the Honda Accord which stopped production in 2005 popularly called “End of Discussion”.
Honda Accord 2012 - Evil Spirit


The name “Evil Spirit” came about due to the headlights of the car, it was said to be very bright at night and not allowing other cars to see, it really is a funny story.
Toyota Camry (2007-2011) - “Muscle” or “Voltron” or “Spider”

This is one of the most popular cars nowadays, it’s one of the most used cars in Nigeria at the moment, it was given the name “Muscle” because of the solid exterior.
Mercedes-Benz 911 Bus – “Molue”

The modified Mercedes Benz 911 and Bedford vehicles were the most notorious means of mass transport in Lagos. Lagosians nicknamed the vehicle “Molue”.
All SUV Vehicles - Jeep


Jeep is a brand of car with military history in the United States. But in Nigeria, any car that is a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) has the tendency to be regarded as a ‘Jeep.’ There is no need to correct Nigerians when they call SUVs Jeep anymore, it is useless.
Transporter – “Danfo”

The first Volkswagen transporter van rolled off the production line in Germany on March 8, 1950. It has gone out of vogue since then. In Nigeria, it is widely used for commercial transportation. It goes by the nickname, “Danfo”. This nickname is also ascribed to several commercial buses in Lagos.