Origin of the Iconic Name ‘Mercedes-Benz’ Revealed by CEO

The product name is a vital and broadly recognized aspect of any item, and many famous brands have captivating narratives behind them. Recently, a popular social media video highlighted how the distinguished car brand Mercedes-Benz was given its name.

In a conversation with American attorney and entrepreneur David Rubenstein, Mercedes-Benz CEO Sten Ola Kallenius detailed how the renowned brand acquired its name. He mentioned that the automobile company was originally named Daimler when it was established in 1886 by Gottlieb Daimler. During that period, Daimler’s primary engineer was Wilhelm Maybach.

A decade and a half later, Austrian industrialist Emil Jellinek commissioned Daimler and Maybach to create an engine for racing purposes. Jellinek aimed to enter a race in Nice, France, and emerge as the victor.

Daimler and Maybach successfully fulfilled Jellinek’s request; they provided him with a vehicle equipped with a potent engine. Jellinek triumphed in the race and imposed a single condition: the car must be named after his daughter, ‘Mercedes’.

View the video here: 

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius shares how the name ‘Mercedes’ came about. pic.twitter.com/h7xh29lYv3

— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) June 12, 2024

Therefore, Daimler approved of the name and decided to christen the vehicle as ‘Mercedes’, while still retaining the company’s original name. According to Kallenius, the rationale behind choosing such a name was due to Daimler’s preference, and it eventually became part of the widely popular brand, Mercedes-Benz.

‘Mercedes’ as a brand name

As per the Mercedes-Benz website, ‘Mercedes’ was officially registered as a brand name on June 23, 1902, and legally safeguarded on September 26.

In June 1903, Emil Jellinek was granted permission to use the name Jellinek-Mercedes in the future. ‘This is likely the first instance of a father adopting his daughter’s name,’ remarked the successful businessman at that time.

In 1907, Jellinek was named Austro-Hungarian Consul General, subsequently becoming the Mexican Consul. By 1909, Jellinek retired from the automotive industry and dedicated himself to his responsibilities as the head of the Austro-Hungarian consulate in Monaco. Until his passing on January 21, 1918, Emil Jellinek remained an enthusiastic observer of automotive technology.

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