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Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names

Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names

I don't know why all European vans have such silly little names, but I'm happy they do.

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Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Renault

In the U.S., cargo vans are a serious business. That’s why they have serious names like Express, Econoline and ProMaster. Luckily for us, automakers in Europe took a lighter approach to naming their cargo vans, and it created some wonderful results.

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There’s a whole world of vans from companies Citroën, Renault, Vauxhall and Peugeot that we don’t get over here, and it means we miss out on adorable names like Kangoo, Berlingo and Trafic (with one “f”). I don’t know why these car makers have decided to bestow their work vans with such whimsical names, but I sure am glad they did.

I’ll be so real, seeing these vans is one of my favorite parts of going to Europe. I always like seeing what sort of badge they’ve got on the back on them. The juxtaposition of them being some of the most practical vehicles in the world with some of the silliest names in the world just gets me, man. I don’t know. Maybe I’m weird. You can’t judge me.

Anyway, that’s enough yapping. Start clicking to check out all of the fun and silly names that have been given to European cargo vans. If you’re feeling frisky, let me know which is your favorite!

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2 / 18

Citroën Berlingo

Citroën Berlingo

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Citroën

Berlingo is apparently some commune in Northern Italy, so I don’t know why the French decided to call it that, but I jive with it. It’s a great place to start our list.

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3 / 18

Citroën Jumpy

Citroën Jumpy

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Citroën

You’ll jumpy for joy when you see a Citroën Jumpy. This is exactly what I mean, folks, it’s a silly name on a very serious vehicle.

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4 / 18

Citroën Jumper

Citroën Jumper

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Citroën

Why call something the Ram ProMaster when its twin is called the Jumper? Do better, Ram.

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5 / 18

Dacia Dokker

Dacia Dokker

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Overlaet via Wikimedia Commons

The Dokker is apparently named after dock workers. I suppose Dacia is very in favor of the strike happening right now, then.

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6 / 18

Fiat Doblò

Fiat Doblò

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Fiat

Why Fiat named its van the “double” is anyone’s guess, since there’s only one of them, but the Italians are always gonna do weird shit.

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7 / 18

Fiat Scudo

Fiat Scudo

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Fiat

A scudo is apparently a gold or silver coin that was once used in Italy. I don’t know what that has to do with a mid-sized van, but whatever.

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8 / 18

Fiat Ducato

Fiat Ducato

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Fiat

Ducato is apparently the Italian work for “duchy” or “dukedom.” Again, I don’t know what this has to do with a van, but I’ll take it over ProMaster.

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9 / 18

Iveco Daily

Iveco Daily

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Iveco

God, Stellantis loves badge swapping. I guess you could say it does this... on the daily.

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10 / 18

Opel/Vauxhall Combo

Opel/Vauxhall Combo

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Vauxhall

What is it combining? I don’t know, and I don’t think anyone else does either.

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11 / 18

Peugeot Boxer

Peugeot Boxer

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Peugeot

ANOTHER GODDAMN PROMASTER ARE WE BEING SERIOUS @STELLANTIS

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12 / 18

Peugeot Expert

Peugeot Expert

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Peugeot

Peugeot should have called it the Nerd, because if you’re an expert in anything it immediately means you’re a big nerd loser. Just look at me talking about cars.

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13 / 18

Peugeot Partner

Peugeot Partner

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Peugeot

Howdy, partner!

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14 / 18

Renault Kangoo

Renault Kangoo

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Renault

Kangoo is by far and away my favorite name on this list. What does it mean? Who came up with it? What is it supposed to express? Nobody knows the answers to any of these questions, so there is a great shroud of mystery surrounding an otherwise very normal van. It’s fabulous.

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15 / 18

Renault Master

Renault Master

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Renault

Master is almost certainly the most serious name on this list. What exactly is this van the master of, anyway? Carrying shit? Its domain? Who can really say?

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16 / 18

Renault Trafic

Renault Trafic

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Renault

The Trafic, with one “f,” is named for either “trade” or “traffic” depending on context. Whatever, you weird little French people.

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Volkswagen Crafter

Volkswagen Crafter

Image for article titled Citroën Jumpy, Renault Kangoo And Renault Trafic: These European Vans All Have Ridiculously Cute Names
Photo: Volkswagen

Crafter? I hardly know her!

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