The car brand Mercedes is named after a girl: Mercédès Jellinek, the daughter of Emil Jellinek, a wealthy Austrian businessman and diplomat living in Nice. Jellinek raced Daimler cars under the pseudonym “Mercedes”, then placed a large order for a new, more modern Daimler car in 1900 — on condition that it be named Mercedes. The 1901 Mercedes 35 hp was a sensation, Daimler registered Mercedes as a trademark in 1902, and after Daimler merged with Benz in 1926, the cars became Mercedes-Benz.

At a glance
Named after Mercédès Jellinek (born 1889)
Her father Emil Jellinek, businessman and consul in Nice
First car named Mercedes Mercedes 35 hp, 1901
Trademark registered 1902
Mercedes-Benz From the 1926 merger of Daimler and Benz

Emil Jellinek

Jellinek was an enthusiastic early motorist and an effective salesman who sold Daimler cars to wealthy friends on the French Riviera. He entered races in Nice under the pseudonym “Mercedes”, the name of his daughter — a Spanish name meaning “mercy” or “graces”.

The order that changed history

Jellinek wanted a faster, lower, more stable car than Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) was building. In 1900 he ordered 36 cars of a new design, worth a very large sum, and secured distribution rights — with the condition that the car carry his daughter’s name. Wilhelm Maybach designed the car. Read the history of Maybach.

The Mercedes 35 hp

The 1901 Mercedes 35 hp was lighter, lower and more powerful than its rivals, with a pressed-steel frame and honeycomb radiator. It dominated the Nice Week races in 1901, and the head of the French Automobile Club declared, “We have entered the Mercedes era.”

From Mercedes to Mercedes-Benz

DMG registered Mercedes as a trademark in 1902, and Jellinek later legally added it to his own surname — “Jellinek-Mercedes”. In 1926, DMG merged with Benz & Cie, founded by Carl Benz, to form Daimler-Benz, and the cars became Mercedes-Benz. Read the Mercedes-Benz history.

What happened to Mercédès?

Mercédès Jellinek lived a private life, married twice and died in 1929, aged 39. Her name is now one of the best-known brand names in the world.

Mercedes on the road today

From the S-Class to the Sprinter, the name Jellinek chose still adorns some of the most trusted vehicles in chauffeured transportation. See our Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.