Fiat and PSA Brush Up on Latin to Conjure Up Name Stellantis (1)

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Peugeot maker PSA Group paged through Latin dictionaries before they landed on a name for their combined car-making group.

The name Stellantis draws from the Latin verb “stello,” which means “to brighten with stars,” evoking the idea of a constellation, according to Peugeot brand leader Jean-Philippe Imparato.

“It’s the parasol, the umbrella that will house the combined company” and its stable of 12 brands, he said on BFM radio Thursday.

Fiat Chrysler and PSA billed the announcement as a major step toward completing their merger by early next year. More meaningful matters to ...