• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Tesla founder reveals how to actually pronounce the company name

Home> Vehicles> Car news

Published 12:30 29 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Tesla founder reveals how to actually pronounce the company name

The EV company was first founded back in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning

Rikki Loftus

Rikki Loftus

The founder of Tesla has finally revealed the real way to pronounce the company name.

Despite it's inseparable connection to Elon Musk today, EV company was first founded back in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning.

And now, over two decades later, Eberhard has finally shared how the firm is meant to be pronounced.

Advert

The mogul appeared in an exclusive interview with YouTuber Kim Java where he talked about how he had a spark of inspiration for the name during dinner at Disneyland.

During the chat, Eberhard said: “I had been thinking about a name for the company for a while now and I didn’t like anything. I tried this and tried that and I - naming a company is difficult anyways, I never pick on somebody for the name of the company because if you manage to get the domain name and get the trademark, congratulations, no matter how lame the name - but so I had thought of a lot of lame names that I didn’t like.

“The idea of Tesla came to me because I was thinking about the motor I wanted to use. It came to me while I was on a date with a woman who became my wife.

“We went to dinner in Disneyland. There’s a cool restaurant in Disneyland, it’s called the Blue Bayou… it overlooks the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.”

Advert

While at the restaurant, Eberhard suggested the name to his partner, Caroline.

He continued: “She liked it immediately. She was like, ‘oh, I think you’re behind schedule now. You need to get to work’.

And then the next two days later, the next day on my usual Wednesday coffee with Marc, which we still do by the way, I suggested to him Tesla Motors as the name of our company and he hadn’t even agreed that we’re going to do a company yet, but we’re in a cafe and he taps on his computer for a moment and says, ‘oh, now we own the domain name’.”

The EV company was first founded back in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning (AdrianHancu/Getty Images)
The EV company was first founded back in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning (AdrianHancu/Getty Images)

How do you pronounce Tesla?

The founder of the EV manufacturer also revealed how the name of his company is meant to be pronounced.

Advert

He shared that he calls the firm ‘Tess-la’ as opposed to many consumers who say ‘Tez-la’.

Eberhard added: “I guess I don’t know how he pronounced his own name. I don’t know.”

Elon Musk was an early investor in the business, becoming the chairman of the board of directors and the largest shareholder of Tesla in 2004.

Featured Image Credit: AdrianHancu/Getty Images
Tesla
Elon Musk
Car news
Vehicles
History
Social Media
Youtube

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
  • ALAIN JOCARD / Contributor / GettyALAIN JOCARD / Contributor / Getty
    a day ago

    Tesla engineer quits company after 8 years with scathing message for Elon Musk on way out

    He made sure to leave a mark on his way out

    Vehicles
  • Chip Somodevilla / Staff via GettyChip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty
    a day ago

    Private jet linked to conspiracy of Charlie Kirk's shooter seen departing Provo Airport shortly after shooting

    The FBI have arrested the alleged killer

    Vehicles
  • Andreas Rentz/amfAR / Contributor via GettyAndreas Rentz/amfAR / Contributor via Getty
    a day ago

    Bezos' Amazon launches rival to Musk's Robotaxi with it's own driverless vehicle

    The driverless service connects passengers to 'high-profile destinations' in Las Vegas

    Vehicles
  • AerosAeros
    a day ago

    Insane 555-foot flying warehouse airship could be coming soon to Los Angeles

    Airships have largely been out of fashion since the Hindenburg disaster

    Vehicles
  • Tesla ordered to pay $243,000,000 to victims' families after hacker uncovers shocking crash data
  • Key feature of Elon Musk's Tesla faces industry-wide ban
  • Tesla founder gives brutal statement on Elon Musk in rare interview
  • TV presenter blames Elon Musk's Tesla for speeding as he's banned from driving for six months