What Does the Mercedes-Benz Name Mean?

The Mercedes-Benz has long been a name associated with luxury, but before making its way into households across the world, where did the brand get its name? The brand has changed names over the years, starting out as Daimler-Benz, which understandably leads to questions. Join Mercedes-Benz of Chicago as we explain the Mercedes-Benz name meaning, as well as answer other common questions, including how to pronounce Mercedes-Benz. Read on to learn more about the name that took the automotive industry by storm!

How Do You Spell Mercedes-Benz?

While the answer might seem obvious to those reading this, there are some important things to note with the Mercedes-Benz name. The name must be hyphenated, and both the “M” and “B” must be capitalized. Also, if you want to be proper, the brand goes by its full name, Mercedes-Benz, not a shortened version or abbreviation.

How to Pronounce Mercedes-Benz

The typical American pronunciation of the Mercedes-Benz name can often be heard as “mer-SAY-deez-benz.” While that’s not exactly incorrect, since the brand originated in Germany, the American pronunciation remains slightly off. Native German speakers will pronounce the “C” much closer to a “Ts” sound, which is actually its own letter in Slavic languages. The resulting German pronunciation is “mer-TSEY-dess-benz.”

What is the Mercedes-Benz Name Meaning?

The Mercedes-Benz name is a combination of two names: Mercedes Jellinek and Karl Benz. Originally, Mercedes-Benz was founded by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler and was part of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, better known as DMG. The company was first known by the name Daimler-Benz, as an homage to the founders.

After Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler passed away, entrepreneur and racing enthusiast Emil Jellinek was brought on by chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach. Emil went on to help create the Mercedes 35hp in 1900. Jellinek named the new cars after his daughter, Mercédès Jellinek, whose Spanish name translated to “mercy.” The company later went on to have the “Mercedes” name trademarked 1902. While the company continued to trade as Daimler-Benz, the car line began to carry the Mercedes-Benz name.

Learn About the Mercedes-Benz Brand at Mercedes-Benz of Chicago

Wondering how Mercedes-Benz gained its Three-Pointed Star logo? Curious about where Mercedes-Benz vehicles are made now? The representatives at Mercedes-Benz of Chicago would love to share more about the brand we are so passionate about with you. Simply pay us a visit in Chicago, or reach out online with your questions! We can teach you about Mercedes-Benz history, give you a guided tour of the new models, and even highlight new technologies!