“The Girls Garage” – A Tribute to a British Tradition

My small collection of pre-war Rolls-Royce cars proudly bears girl’s names: Harriet, Marjorie and Amber (from left to right). This naming is not only a personal preference but also a homage to an old British tradition. As early as the 18th century, ships were often named after women. This had several reasons:

• Protection and Care: Women were associated with qualities like nurturing and protection, which were hoped for in a ship. A female name was thought to give the vessel a protective aura.
  
  
• Linguistic Tradition: In many languages, including English, ships and cars are grammatically feminine, which encouraged the use of female names.
  
  
• Symbolism: The female figurehead was meant to embody the soul of the ship and give it an identity.
  
  

This tradition continued in the automotive industry as well. Rolls-Royce, known for its elegance and exclusivity, paid tribute to this practice. The famous hood ornament, the “Spirit of Ecstasy,” was created by Charles Sykes and is said to represent the muse Eleanor Thornton.

In my collection, this tradition is reflected as well. Each vehicle carries not only a name, but also a story and a connection to a long British tradition of naming.