Ever since Honda announced their new electric SUV, the Prologue, people have been recalling the old Honda Prelude and noting that Honda, amongst all automakers, seems to have an odd affinity for names that reference things that happen before things. So, with this in mind, I thought it might be fun to come up with the definitive list of car names that fit this strange category. I guess if Honda decides to use any of these, they can just, you know, send us a check?
I guess going on two names – the smallest possible plural number – may be a bit thin, but I’m serious when I say a surprising number of people have noted this to me. Normal people, even!
It’s also worth noting that in the Grand Honda Scheme of things, these names aren’t even really all that odd. Honda isn’t afraid of strange names, especially for cars not destined for the North American market. They have a car named Today, for example. And there’s more, and remember, these are all real: 
LaGreat? That’s what they called the Odyssey in Japanese markets. Life Dunk? That’s? Who the hell names a car “that’s?” Not even “that is!” I mean, I love it, but damn, that’s bonkers, Honda.
Anyway, the whole Prologue/Prelude thing seems to have captured the attention of even my non-car-obsessed friends and loved ones, so I do feel like it’s important we help Honda explore this, if only to get it out of their system.
I think a big reason for this is just that fact that names about things that happen before the real thing happens are just, well, weird. They feel like they’re underselling the car, because they all imply the car itself is not the main event; it’s just the lead-in to the good stuff. And why the hell would you name a car for that?
But, if that’s what Honda wants, that’s what Honda gets, so here we go, Honda: more options for you!
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Honda Preface
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Honda Preamble
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Honda Pre-ejaculate
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Honda Presage
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Honda Foreword
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Honda Epigraph
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Honda Front Matter
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Honda Antechamber
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Honda Vestibule
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Honda Lead-in
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Honda Anacrusis
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Honda Opener
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Honda Overture
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Honda Teaser
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Honda Cold Open
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Honda Proem
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Honda Prolegomenon
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Honda Exordium
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Honda Build Up
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Honda Preperatory
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Honda Warmup
That’s a pretty good list, right? Honda, if you really, really decide to lean into this, look at all these options!
Oh how I wish the Odyssey was instead called the LeGREAT here. I genuinely loled in my office when I read that one.
It’s pronounced “regret” in Japanese. They sold so well the dealers always said they had no regrets.
Honda Initial Singularity?
Honda Big Bang (the facelift)
The Honda Foreword, although Forward would be a better name for car, but it has no pre- connotation.
Gotta enter premature, Intro..spective. foreskin, pre adolescent, green, intern, Beta, seedling, not ready for prime time, AA, AAA, AAAA, Neuvo, unripe, untested, granted some may need changed to a foreign language to sound better but there are many.
No Honda Penis? I’m shocked, shocked I say.
In the US market they could just call it the Dong.
Would the trunk be called the scrotum?
Honda IVF.
If they call it that Republicans will ban it
And the democrats will allow anyone to kill it.
See it works both ways.
They should also make an economy version… the STD…
As long as they didn’t build it in the Alabama plant.
You have to understand the Japanese culture to realize the “Honda That’s” is a perfectly reasonable name.
“That’s” translates to “Soreha” – which is a lovely and frequently-used word.
I’m reminded of the ever-present newsstands/refreshment shops all over Japan on railway/subway platforms called “Let’s Kiosk”
“Ascot” relates to the Japanese culture’s Anglo-obsession – perhaps even dating to Honda’s affilliation with Rover. In fact, the Ascot Innova pillared hardtop of the 90’s was a rebadged Rover 600.
I got a Japanese eraser with penguins on it saying “let’s dancing.”
Honda Embryo – if you hit me, you hit my child (Alabama)
And my brother
This just makes me that much more excited to see what Honda’s been foreshadowing all these years.
Yep…seems like we’ve all been waiting our entire lives for the Honda Revelation
Honda Hors D’oeuvre
Honda Amuse-bouche?
My friends and I have been ironically pronouncing that as “horse doovers” and now we can’t stop. It’s a problem.
Honda Vaporware
Honda Phantom Menace
I actually like the idea of Phantom being the model name, and Menace being some sort of sport trim.
I had a premonition presupposing that some preliminary preeminent preposterous pre-naming pre-convention would predate any previously predicted Honda car names heretofore.
— Dr. Allie Literation
I really like Honda Premonition. It could the first car that can warn you about accidents before you leave the driveway.
Hehe. Good one!
“Warning: You will be involved in a fatal accident in 1.2 miles.” ＼（〇_ｏ）／
lol – I like that it’s final destination style, and there’s nothing that you can do to avoid it.
Honda Minority Report
Now introducing for the off-road and overlanding crowd, the Honda “Let’s get ready to rumble!” Especially useful for those suffering from road rage…
Honda Foreshadow
Honda Seduction
Probably the same kind of person who uses “Here’s” when referring to a plural subject. 😛
shit, I always do that. I fixed it!
Oh wow, I didn’t expect that. I kind of thought you did it on purpose to tweak David. 🙂
Notably missing is the Honda Foreplay.
….because who has time for that anyway?
Honda Premonition and Honda Prequel are my suggestions.
Honda Trailer…ironically, towed behind.
Honda Table of Contents..a fold-out tailgating accessory.
Honda Genesis…Hyundai might have an issue with this one.
Honda Attempt
Honda Foreplay
Honda Giddy-Up
Honda Interim
Honda PMS
My boyfriend is an author and English professor.
He was visually angry when a commercial for the Prologue came on.
He talked about how much he hates the name for hours after.
He did not appreciate it when I pointed out that Honda also made the That’s.
This sent me into a giggle fit. Having known and loved English majors, there is a special kind of ire they are capable of around language that we mere civilians can only watch with bemusement.
You should hear the english colonels then!
My daughter is getting her masters in English. As a Dad, there is nothing that makes me happy like texting her, using the wrong form of their/they’re/there, and watching her seeth.
I see what you did there and as a non-English major it made me seethe. (all in good fun)
Trolling is a art.
I’m pretty sure their EV minivan will be the Overture and the EV sedan will be the Preamble. The first just feels right, and the second fits in with their political/governmental (say: civic) theme for sedans.
Man if you’re trying to find ways to say “come before” you might as well just name it after me
….Ill show myself out
Not the first time you’ve had to say that, clearly.
The Honda “I swear this doesn’t usually happen” just doesn’t have the same ring.
Nor does the Honda “I’m sorry, it’s been a while”
That said, the Honda “Rope Pusher” is a perfectly cromulent name for a small commuter car that’s just really stressed about work right now.
That can usually be solved with a Prelube ™
Which would necessitate the Acura “Just finish, I have to get up early”
The Honda Pre-Ejaculate could be a small dump truck. Carrying capacity of a spoonful or so.
10CC
No Honda Pre, or Honda Before?
Honda Prior