How did the Jeep automobile get its name?

The name "Jeep" originated from the term "GP", which stood for "General Purpose". During World War II, the US military was looking for a lightweight, multi-purpose vehicle that could be used for a variety of tasks. Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, and Ford Motor Company all submitted prototypes for the project. The Willys-Overland design was ultimately chosen, and the military officially named it the "Willys MB". However, soldiers in the field began calling it the "Jeep", and the name eventually became the official designation for the vehicle.