What Does Ferrari Mean?

Ferrari is known around the world as an iconic brand, synonymous with game-changing performance and unparalleled elegance. But before 1939, “Ferrari” meant “Enzo Ferrari,” the founder of the brand and head of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team for Alfa Romeo. Although the Ferrari name has evolved to represent the pinnacle of automotive achievement, it’s also still a common name in Italy.

Does Ferrari Mean Something in English?

“Ferrari” — the automaker and the founder — is Italian, but does Ferrari mean something else in English? Many surnames evolve from a profession, from the obvious (Bakers descending from bakers) to the uncommon (Faulkners descending from falcon trainers), and “Ferrari” is no different.

Ferrari comes from ferraro, meaning “blacksmith,” putting it on par with the English & American surname “Smith.” And much like “Smith,” the Ferrari name is quite common — it’s the third most common surname in Italy.

Scuderia Ferrari, meaning Ferrari Stables, is a fitting name for Ferrari’s racing division when you pair it with the logo of a prancing horse.

What Does the Ferrari Logo Mean?

While the origins of the Ferrari name are pretty clear, the Ferrari logo’s history requires a bit more explanation. Francesco Baracca, an Italian fighter pilot during the first world war, had a horse painted on the fuselage of his fighter plane. But how did it end up on Alfa Romeo’s racing vehicles and come to define the Ferrari brand for a century? In 1923, Baracca’s mother suggested Enzo Ferrari place the prancing horse of her son’s plane on his cars for luck.

While the horse was and still is a stark, solid black, Ferrari placed it on a canary yellow background to represent his birthplace, Modena. The original Ferrari logo appeared for the first time in 1932 at the Grand Prix of Spa, and it was placed on the first vehicle produced by Ferrari as a standalone company in 1947 on the 125S.

Discover More with Ferrari Lake Forest

We pride ourselves on being your Chicagoland Ferrari dealer, and we love the past, present, and future of the brand. Be sure to check back with us regularly as we explore where Ferraris are made, who owns Ferrari, comparisons between models, and flashbacks to historical automobiles, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.