Jeep Logo History & Meaning

Over the years, there have been several theories on how Jeep got its name.

Before 1940 the term "jeep" had been used as U.S. Army slang for new recruits or vehicles, but the World War II "jeep" that went into production in 1941 specifically tied the name to this light military 4x4, arguably making them the oldest four-wheel drive mass-production vehicles now known as SUVs.

The First Jeep® Brand 4x41940 Willys "Quad" pilot car initially copied Bantam's rounded grille and hood.

Jeep derives from the military term General Purpose (GP), but it didn’t mean “General Purpose.” The “G” signified a government contract vehicle while the "P" was a designation that indicated it was a 1/4 ton "light reconnaissance vehicle" with an 80-inch wheelbase. Another explanation is that jeep is actually an acronym for “just enough essential parts,” a nod to the simplicity and reliability of the vehicle.

In lowercase, the term "jeep" continues to be used as a generic term for vehicles inspired by the Jeep that are suitable for use on rough terrain. While the upper-case "Jeep" is the trademark and is commonly used for anything from ’45 and up. FCA US LLC, the most recent successor company to the Jeep brand, The brand is renowned for its ability to continually produce excellent 4x4s, SUVs, and off-roading vehicles.

Source: Jeep® History - The Legacy of Jeep® Models By Year