WHERE DOES THE "JEEP" NAME COME FROM?
WHERE DOES THE "JEEP" NAME COME FROM?
The "Jeep" name comes from a military background, but with no definite answer for how exactly it was born; although, a few popular theories have lead the pack. The most popular theory to where the name "Jeep" might've been conceived was its military designation as a "Government/General Purpose" SUV, eventually getting abbreviated into "Jeep." The other theory also involves military slang, as "Jeep" was used to refer to an untested new recruit or vehicle. Either way, other definitions fell away and left the unique 4×4 we know today as the one stuck with legendary "Jeep" name. Learn more of the Jeep name and history by following along with us, your friends at Great West Chrysler, and get to know Jeep more in-depth.
GP JEEP
It makes sense why this often becomes the reason for the name because it's simple and easy to see how it could've happened. The model name of the war-era Jeep was titled a GP, often regarded as standing for "General Purpose" among others. As human language often goes, people would shorten the name and eventually pronounced and referred to it by a phonetically sounding "Jeep." Some detractors from this theory claim this was untrue and the 'G' actually stood for Government and the 'P' referred to the wheelbase of the vehicle. Through both theories, the GP is an obvious source for how the Jeep name could've been born.
JEEP AS MILITARY SLANG
No matter what theory you believe, it's pretty clear the Jeep name saw its birth through the military. Even before it was used for the vehicle, many would use the term "Jeep" to refer to vehicles or soldiers who were uninitiated. This idea is especially noteworthy as referring to people and objects from this time period was previously documented, especially with the "jeep carrier" designation for some Navy troop carriers. And, another theory goes that soldiers adopted the name from a cartoon character, Euguene the Jeep, from the Thimble Theatre comic strip. A character who was nimble and could quickly move between environments. Sound familiar? Intrinsically bred from the military, the Jeep name is as illustrious as the vehicle it represents.
THE JEEP NAME TODAY
Today, Jeep is a name and brand synonymous with a segment of vehicles unlike any other. No other vehicle brand conveys and represent such a visceral feel or picture in your head. Think of Jeep and the almighty Wrangler design popping into your head; it's a perfect fit for off-road travel and country adventuring at the drop of a hat. And what better place to experience this than in Edmonton and throughout Alberta, where gorgeous scenery abounds through every bend. No longer is Jeep and its signature name a kingpin of the off-road landscape, while fortifying its stature in the city as well. Jeep has taken the urban SUV market with the classic mainstays of the Jeep Cherokee and the Jeep Grand Cherokee; both modern landmarks of a brand that has been producing benchmark SUVs for decades. Unmistakably its own brand, Jeep's unique vehicles capture the heart of drivers who enjoy driving off the beaten path.
So, how did Jeep get its name? It only seems fitting that a company that loves a good story is also faced with a few tales of how the brand name was developed. One thing's for sure, as military life bred the jeep vehicle itself, so did it also develop the name of the ubiquitous off-road SUV we all still love to this day. Come into our Great West Chrysler dealership, where we love Jeeps just as much as the next person, and research our entire Jeep Edmonton lineup, as well as our inventory. If you have any more questions, or just want to toss around a Jeep name origin story, don't hesitate to get in touch!