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What is the Meaning of “Ferrari”?

Ferrari was founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari, and the iconic brand’s rich history complements its storied lineup and awe-inspiring reputation. Ferrari’s Cavallino Rampante logo first appeared on a 17th-century regiment’s uniform and later on a World War I fighter plane, and the vehicles that display the Prancing Horse do true justice to this long legacy. What may surprise you is that the name itself is quite common in Italy. However, in modern times, the name Ferrari is imbued with the legacy of the world’s preeminent supercar maker.


Scuderia Ferrari shield

What Does “Ferrari” Mean in English?

The name “Ferrari” is known around the world, but what does Ferrari mean? In Italian, the word ferraro means “blacksmith”. As in many other cases—think of the names Baker, Fisher, or Taylor—this occupation gradually evolved into a surname: Ferrari. Today Ferrari is one of the most common surnames in Italy.

Of course, even if you understand Ferrari’s meaning, there’s still more to learn about the story of the Ferrari name’s origin. Enzo Ferrari—the brand’s founder, and an avid racer in his own right—gave his own name to the vehicles that now bear the iconic Prancing Horse. The Ferrari brand name represents this personal legacy.

Ferrari’s Formula 1 racing team is called Scuderia Ferrari, with Scuderia translating from Italian as “stable.” There’s an obvious connection between this and the carmaker’s unmistakable Prancing Horse logo. Scuderia Ferrari is one of the most storied racing teams in the world, with over 90 years of history.


What Do Ferrari Car Names Mean?

Ferrari’s naming convention may be a bit confusing and while it does seem to be random at times, there is a method to the naming madness. In the very beginning, the numbers that were assigned to each Ferrari model came from the engine it was equipped with and a division of those numbers. For example, the 1500 cc V12 with its quotient gives you 125. Which is where the 125 S got its name.

Given that there is no set rule when it comes to assigning a number to their models, Ferrari names have cycled through many conventions over the years, Which introduced some pretty interesting methods. At one point the brand established a 3-number naming system based on the engine’s displacement. Yet another style stemmed from the vehicle engine capacity plus the number of valves.

While it’s difficult to keep up with the ever-changing conventions of Ferrari names, there’s one thing that’s for certain. And that is: no matter what vehicle captures your eye, the Ferrari name upholds the alluring blend of calculated speed, precision, and luxury comforts all wrapped in a sleek shell sculpted to perfection.


What Does the Ferrari Logo Mean?

One of the most famous logos in the world, Ferrari’s distinctive Prancing Horse can trace its origins back to 1692, when the Royal Piedmont Regiment was founded by the Duke of Savoy, Vittorio Amadeo II. Over time, the regiment adopted a stallion as its insignia to go with fire-red lapels and cuffs on their uniforms. Much later, during World War I, Francesco Baracca called back to the regiment with a stallion painted on the fuselage of his biplane. In the 1923 Circuito automobilistico del Savio (Savio Racing Car Circuit) in Ravenna, Enrico and Paolina Baracca entrusted the now-iconic symbol to the winner of the race: none other than Enzo Ferrari himself!

The first Ferrari road car to be emblazoned with the Cavallino Rampante—Italian for Prancing Horse—was the 1947 Ferrari 125 S. Today the black stallion lives on with every Ferrari vehicle, running rampant in front of an eye-catching canary yellow background. The green, white, and red stripes at the top of the logo symbolize the colors of the Italian flag. 

How Do You Spell Ferrari?

If you’ve stayed with us this far, then you’ve already seen how to spell Ferrari. However, it’s still worth emphasizing that Ferrari is spelled “F-E-R-R-A-R-I”—with two “R”s after the first vowel and one “R” after the second.

 
Ferrari Logo

Learn More With Continental AutoSports Ferrari

While the name itself may have common origins, Ferrari has grown into a modern legend, with vehicles that are the envy of auto enthusiasts the world over. If you’d like to inquire about buying a Ferrari near Chicago, contact Continental AutoSports Ferrari. We can also serve drivers throughout the country, so don’t hesitate to reach out even if you live in Indianapolis or Milwaukee.


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