The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is named after the largest rough diamond ever found.
The Cullinan Diamond was discovered in 1905 at the Premier Mine near Pretoria in South Africa. It weighed 3,106.75 carats in its rough state and was later cut into several notable gems, including the Great Star of Africa.
Rolls-Royce used the diamond’s name for its large luxury SUV, unveiled in 2018. The choice was intended to suggest exceptional size, rarity and prestige. The Cullinan became the first SUV in Rolls-Royce’s modern production range and joined the Phantom, Ghost and Wraith in the company’s model lineup.
The Cullinan name is not derived from a Rolls-Royce founder or an earlier car. It comes from Sir Thomas Cullinan, whose name was attached to the mine and the diamond. That distinction helps separate it from historically themed names such as Silver Ghost.