Elon Musk has previously shared the story behind naming his revolutionary electric vehicle company Tesla, but a recent social media revelation has uncovered an intriguing alternative that was nearly chosen instead. The billionaire entrepreneur disclosed that had circumstances been different, his automotive empire might have carried the name of another pioneering scientist.
The Faraday Alternative: Tesla's Almost Name
In a fascinating exchange on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk responded to a post highlighting Michael Faraday's scientific importance by revealing: "Faraday was the almost the name of Tesla if we couldn't buy the Tesla Motors trademark." This admission provides a rare glimpse into the naming process behind one of the world's most valuable automotive companies.
Why Tesla Chose Its Current Name
According to established reports and company history, Musk selected Tesla as an homage to Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), the Serbian-American inventor and engineer who developed the induction motor and alternating-current (AC) power transmission systems. The company's official stance, as previously stated on its website, emphasizes: "Without Tesla's vision and brilliance, our car wouldn't be possible. We're confident that if he were alive today, Nikola Tesla would look over our 100 percent electric car and nod his head with both understanding and approval."
Why Faraday Makes Equal Sense for EVs
Michael Faraday, born in 1791 in London, made groundbreaking contributions as both a chemist and physicist in the fields of electrochemistry and electromagnetism. His discoveries include fundamental principles of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and electrolysis. These scientific areas form the very foundation of electric vehicle technology:
- Electrochemistry governs energy storage and release through chemical reactions in batteries
- Electromagnetism handles energy conversion into motion through motors and energy transfer during charging
Both Tesla and Faraday represent scientific giants whose work directly enables modern electric transportation, making either name profoundly appropriate for an EV manufacturer.
The $75,000 Trademark Purchase
An old video circulating online shows Musk explaining the unconventional acquisition of the Tesla Motors name. "We didn't actually come up with the name, Tesla Motors. We didn't own the name," Musk revealed. "It was a guy in Sacramento came up with the name and owned the name, and we had to buy it off him for $75,000."
The entrepreneur described sending "the nicest guy in the company to just go sit on his doorstep and not leave until he agreed to sell to us" when the original trademark owner proved reluctant. This persistent approach eventually succeeded when the owner finally conceded: "fine, I'll sell you."
What This Reveals About Brand Strategy
Musk's revelations highlight several important aspects of entrepreneurial decision-making:
- Scientific homage matters: Both potential names honored foundational scientists in electrical engineering
- Trademark availability drives choices: Practical considerations sometimes override ideal preferences
- Persistence pays: The company's determination secured their preferred name despite initial resistance
- Historical continuity: Electric vehicle technology directly builds upon centuries of scientific discovery
This naming story underscores how even the world's most innovative companies navigate practical constraints while maintaining connections to their technological heritage. The Tesla-Faraday revelation provides a fascinating counterfactual glimpse into what might have been, while confirming the company's consistent commitment to honoring scientific pioneers who made electric transportation possible.
