Jenny Castle: The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of a Dreamer

Jetta means “jet stream” in German. I own one. It is actually my second Jetta and I absolutely love it! Current Jetta’s name is Smurfette for her beautiful grayish blue hue. Previous Jetta’s name was Pearl, but she’s undergone a name change since getting a new owner…my son. He decided “la güera” would be a more fitting name since he’s a young male owner. He has also already informed me that Smurfette is a no go if he inherits my newest car. Viagra has been tossed around as a possible moniker for Smurfette, but she’s still mine for another few years.

These cars have been around since 1979 and after researching its names’s etymology and meaning, it is no wonder she is beloved.

The name “Jetta” is derived from the German word “Jette,” meaning “jet” or “jet stream”, reflecting Volkswagen’s tradition of naming cars after winds and currents. Additionally, as a personal name, Jetta has Germanic origins, linked to the name Gaudentia, meaning “joy” or “happiness”, and is considered an Anglicized version of the traditional German name Jutta. The name has historical usage in Europe dating back to the 14th century and is associated with qualities like cheerfulness, strength, and independence. 

And as is human nature to express feelings to our beloved, I offer this insight: many songs include a nod to the Jetta.

Check out this list on Lyrics.com referencing all the songs with Jetta in their lyrics.