List of companies named after people
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This is a list of companies named after people. For other lists of eponyms (names derived from people) see Lists of etymologies. All of these are named after founders, co-founders and partners of companies, unless otherwise stated.
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A
- A. G. Edwards – Albert Gallatin Edwards
- A&M Records – Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss
- A&W Restaurants – Roy Allen and Frank Wright
- Abbott Laboratories – Wallace Calvin Abbott (1888)
- Abercrombie & Fitch – David T. Abercrombie and Ezra Fitch
- Abrams Air Craft – Talbert Abrams
- Abt Sportsline – Johann Abt
- Adam Opel AG – Adam Opel
- Adidas – Adi Dassler (Adolf Dassler)
- Aditya Birla Group - Ghanshyam Das Birla
- Agusta – Giovanni Agusta
- AGV – Gino Amisano (Amisano Gino Valenza)
- Air Jordan - Michael Jordan
- Aitken Spence – Patrick Gordon Spence, Edward Aitken and S.R. Aitken
- Ajo Motorsport – Aki Ajo
- Albert Heijn and Ahold (Albert Heijn Holdings) – Albert Heijn
- Aldi – Theo and Karl Albrecht (ALbrecht DIscount)
- Alessi – Giovanni Alessi
- Alex von Falkenhausen Motorenbau – Alex von Falkenhausen
- Alza – ALex ZAffaroni.
- AMAX Technologies - Aneez Abdul Rahman
- Amdahl Corporation – Gene Amdahl
- AMG – Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher (Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach)
- Amon – Chris Amon
- Amstrad – Alan Sugar (Alan Michael Sugar Trading)
- Anatra – Artur Antonovich Anatra
- Andrea Moda Formula – Andrea Sassetti
- Angie's List – Angie Hicks
- Anheuser-Busch – Lilly and Eberhard Anheuser, and Adolphus Busch
- Ann Summers – Annice Summers, secretary of founder Michael Caborn-Waterfield
- Ansaldo – Giovanni Ansaldo
- The Anschutz Corporation – Philip Anschutz
- Antonov – Oleg Antonov
- Arai Helmet – Hirotake Arai
- Archer Daniels – George A. Archer and John W. Daniels
- Armani – Giorgio Armani
- Arrows – Franco Ambrosio, Alan Rees, Jackie Oliver, Dave Wass, and Tony Southgate
- ARTA – Aguri Suzuki (Autobacs Racing Team Aguri)
- Arzani-Volpini – Egidio Arzani and Gianpaolo Volpini
- AS Watson – Alexander Skirving Watson
- Aston Butterworth – Bill Aston and Archie Butterworth
- Aston Martin – Lionel Martin
- Audi – August Horch (audi is Latin for horch which means listen in English)
- Austin Motor Company – Herbert Austin
- Avery Dennison Corporation – R. Stanton Avery
- AviaBellanca Aircraft – Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
B
- B&H Photo Video – Blimie and Herman Schreiber
- B&Q – Richard Block and David Quayle
- Babolat – Pierre Babolat
- Bacardi – Facundo Bacardi
- Baedeker's – Karl Baedeker
- Bajaj Auto – Jamnalal Bajaj, India
- Baker Curb Racing – Gary Baker and Mike Curb
- Baker International (to Baker Hughes) – Reuben C. Baker
- Baldwin Locomotive Works – Matthias W. Baldwin
- Ball Corporation – the Ball Brothers
- Ballet Rambert – Dame Marie Rambert
- Bandini Automobili – Ilario Bandini
- Bang & Olufsen – Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen
- Bankable Productions – Tyra Banks
- Bannatyne's – Duncan Bannatyne
- Banta Corporation – George Banta, Sr.
- Barilla Group – Pietro Barilla
- Barings Bank – Francis Baring and John Baring (1730–1816)
- Barclays – James Barclay
- Barnardo's – Thomas John Barnardo
- Barnes & Noble – William Barnes and G. Clifford Noble
- Barneys New York – Barney Pressman
- Bashas' – Eddie Basha, Sr.
- Baskin-Robbins – Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins
- Bass & Co – William Bass
- Bausch & Lomb – John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb
- Bayer – Friedrich Bayer
- BBS – Heinrich Baumgartner and Klaus Brand (Baumgartner Brand Schiltach)
- BEA Systems – Bill Coleman, Ed Scott, and Alfred Chuang
- Beckman Coulter – Arnold O. Beckman
- Beck's – Heinrich Beck (1873)
- Behra – Jean Behra
- Beiersdorf - Paul Carl Beiersdorf
- Bell Aircraft – Lawrence Bell
- Bell & Ross – Bruno BELamich and Carlos A. ROSillo
- Bell Telephone Company, Bell System – Alexander Graham Bell
- Bellasi – Guglielmo Bellasi
- Ben & Jerry's – Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
- Benbros – Jack and Nathan Beneson (BENeson BROtherS)
- Benelli – Teresa Benelli
- Benetton Group – Luciano Benetton
- Bentalls – Frank Bentall
- Bentley – W. O. Bentley
- Benz & Cie. (later Daimler-Benz) – Karl Benz
- Beretta – Bartolomeo Beretta
- Beriev – Georgy Beriev
- Berluti – Alessandro Berluti
- Berton – Pieter BERvoets and Ron TON
- Bertone – Giovanni Bertone
- Bianchi Bicycles – Edoardo Bianchi
- Bickerton – Harry Bickerton
- Bimota – Valerio BIanchi, Giuseppe MOrri, and Massimo TAmburini
- Bing Lee – Bing Lee (company founder)
- Bird's Custard – Alfred Bird
- Birds Eye – Clarence Birdseye
- Black & Decker (to Stanley Black & Decker) – S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker
- Blohm + Voss – Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss
- Bloomberg L.P. – Michael Bloomberg
- Bloomingdale's – Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale
- Boardman Bikes – Chris Boardman
- Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving – Bob Bondurant
- Bocar – BOb CARnes
- Boddingtons – Henry Boddington
- The Bodley Head – in honour of Thomas Bodley, whose bust stood above the founders' shop
- Boeing – William Boeing
- Bölkow – Ludwig Bölkow
- Bombardier Inc. – Joseph-Armand Bombardier
- Bomgar - Joel Bomgaars
- Bonhams – Walter Bonham
- Bonnier Group – Gerhard Bonnier
- Booth's Gin – John Booth
- Boots – Jesse Boot
- Borders Group – Tom and Louis Borders
- Boro – BOb and ROdy Hoogenboom
- Bosch - Robert Bosch
- Bose Corporation – Amar Bose, Indian
- Brabham – Jack Brabham
- Brabus – Klaus BRAckmann and Bodo BUSchmann
- Brad Jones Racing – Brad Jones
- Bradley.com - George Bradley
- Brains Brewery – Samuel Arthur Brain
- Brawn GP – Ross Brawn
- Brentano's – August Brentano
- Brewco Motorsports – Clarence and Tammy Brewer
- Brian Hart Ltd. – Brian Hart
- Bridgestone – Shojiro Ishibashi; the name comes from a calque translation and transposition of "ishibashi," meaning "stone bridge"
- Briggs & Stratton – Stephen Foster Briggs and Harold M. Stratton
- Britek Motorsport – Jason BRIght
- Brooke Bond – Arthur Brooke
- Brooks Locomotive Works – founded by Horatio G. Brooks
- Brooks Sports – an anglicized version of "Bruchs," the maiden name of founder Morris Goldberg's wife
- Brun Motorsport – Walter Brun
- Bryant and May – William Bryant and Francis May
- Bugatti – Ettore Bugatti
- Buick – David Dunbar Buick
- Bulgari – the Italianized version of the family name of company founder Sotirios Voulgaris
- Bulova – Joseph Bulova
- Burberry – Thomas Burberry
- BVD – Messrs. Bradley, Voorhees and Day
C
- C. H. Robinson Worldwide - Charles Henry Robinson
- C&A – Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer
- Cabela's – Dick Cabela
- Cadbury – John Cadbury
- Cadillac – Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan
- Cagiva – Giovanni Castiglioni (CAstiglioni GIovanni VArese)
- Callaway Cars – Reeves Callaway
- Callaway Golf Company – Ely R. Callaway, Jr.
- Calvin Klein – Calvin Klein
- Cammell Laird - Charles Cammell and William Laird
- Campagnolo – Tullio Campagnolo
- Campari – Davide Campari
- Campbell Soup Company – Joseph A. Campbell
- Canon – see Kwanon
- Carl Zeiss AG – Carl Zeiss
- Carlyle Group – Thomas Carlyle (indirectly, via the Carlyle Hotel)
- Casio – Tadao Kashio
- Cassell – John Cassell
- Celine – Celine Vipiana
- Cerruti 1881 – Nino Cerruti
- Chanel – Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel
- Charles Schwab Corporation – Charles R. Schwab
- Charles Wells Ltd (now Wells & Young's Brewery) – Charles Wells
- Chase National Bank (to Chase Manhattan Bank and JPMorgan Chase & Co.) – in honor of Salmon P. Chase
- Chevrolet – Louis Chevrolet
- Chip Ganassi Racing – Chip Ganassi
- Christian Dior – Christian Dior
- Christian Salvesen – Christian Salvesen
- Christie's – James Christie
- Chrysler – Walter Chrysler
- Citroën – André Citroën
- Cizeta – Claudio Zampolli
- CKE Restaurants – founded as Carl Karcher Enterprises
- Clarks – Cyrus and James Clark
- Claud Butler – Claud Butler
- Clif Bar – Clifford Erickson (father of founder Gary Erickson)
- Cokin – Jean Coquin
- Colgate-Palmolive – William Colgate
- Collins Radio Company – Arthur A. Collins
- Colnago – Ernesto Colnago
- Coloni – Enzo Coloni
- Colt's Manufacturing Company, Colt Defense, Colt Canada – Samuel Colt
- Condé Nast Publications – Condé Montrose Nast
- Connolly Leather – John Connolly
- Cooper Car Company – Charles and John Cooper
- Coors Brewing Company, Adolph Coors Company – Adolph Coors
- Cord Automobile – Errett Lobban Cord
- Corel – Michael Cowpland (COwpland REsearch Laboratory)
- Cosworth – Mike COStin and Keith DuckWORTH
- Courage Compétition – Yves Courage
- Cox Models – Roy Cox
- Crane & Co. – Stephen Crane or the Crane family
- Cray Research – Seymour Cray
- Crumpler – Stuart Crumpler (co-founder)
- Cummins – Clessie Cummins
- Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company (to Curtiss-Wright) – Glenn Curtiss
- Cushman & Wakefield – J.Clydesdale Cushman and Bernard Wakefield
D
- D Edits - Dale Cachia
- D. G. Yuengling & Son – David, Jr. and David G. Jüngling (anglicized surname)
- Daimler-Benz (later DaimlerChrysler, now Daimler AG) – Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz
- Dallara – Gian Paolo Dallara
- Damiani – Enrico Grassi Damiani
- Danelectro – Nathan Daniel
- Dangote Group - Aliko Dangote
- Danjaq - Dana Broccoli and Jacqueline Saltzman, wives of company founders Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman
- d’Antin MotoGP – see Pramac d'Antin
- Dargaud – Georges Dargaud
- Dassault Group – Marcel Dassault
- Datsun – Kenjiro Den, Rokuro Aoyama, and Meitaro Takeuchi
- Dauer Sportwagen – Jochen Dauer
- David Jones Limited - David Jones
- David Lloyd Leisure – David Lloyd
- David Price Racing – David Price
- DBZ Guitars – Dean B. Zelinsky
- De Agostini – Giovanni De Agostini
- De Tomaso – Alejandro de Tomaso
- Dean & DeLuca – Joel Dean and Giorgio DeLuca
- Dean Guitars – Dean Zelinsky
- Debenhams – William Debenham
- formerly Debenham & Freebody – Debenham and Clement Freebody
- Debian – IAN Murdock and his girlfriend, DEBra
- Deere & Company – John Deere
- Dell – Michael Dell
- Deloitte – William Welch Deloitte
- DeLorean Motor Company – John DeLorean
- DHL Express – Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn
- Dick Johnson Racing – Dick Johnson
- Dick's Sporting Goods – Dick Stack
- Dillard's – William T. Dillard
- Dodge – John and Horace Dodge
- Dolby Laboratories – Ray Dolby
- Dolce & Gabbana – Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
- Dollond & Aitchison – John and Peter Dollond and James Aitchison
- Don Bluth Entertainment – see Sullivan Bluth Studios
- Double R Racing, formerly Räikkönen Robertson Racing – Kimi Räikkönen and Steve Robertson
- Douglas Aircraft Company (to McDonnell Douglas) – Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.
- The Dow Chemical Company – Herbert Dow
- Dow Jones & Company – Charles Dow and Edward Jones
- D'Oyly Carte Opera Company – Richard D'Oyly Carte
- Dr. Bashi - Golbarg Bashi
- Dr. Oetker - August Oetker
- Ducati – Antonio Cavalieri Ducati
- Duesenberg – Fred and August Duesenberg
- Duke Energy – James Buchanan Duke
- Duke Video – Peter Duke
- DuMont Television Network & DuMont Laboratories - Allen B. DuMont
- Dunlop – John Boyd Dunlop
- Dunlop Manufacturing – Jim Dunlop
- DuPont – Eleuthère Irénée du Pont
- Dyson – James Dyson
E
- Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates – Dale Earnhardt (Sr.), Chip Ganassi, Felix Sabates
- Eastman Kodak – George Eastman
- Easton – Doug Easton
- Eatons – Timothy Eaton
- Eddie Bauer – Eddie Bauer
- Eddie Jordan Racing – Eddie Jordan
- Eddie Stobart – see Stobart Group
- Edelbrock – Vic Edelbrock
- Edison Records – Thomas Edison
- Eli Lilly and Company – Eli Lilly
- Ellis Briggs – Leonard Ellis and Thomas Briggs
- Ericsson – Lars Magnus Ericsson
- Ermenegildo Zegna – Ermenegildo Zegna
- Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk
- Estée Lauder Companies – Estée Lauder
- EuroBrun – Walter Brun
F
- Fabbri Group – Romolo Fabbri
- Faber and Faber – Geoffrey Faber
- Falabella – Salvatore Falabella
- Fazer – Karl Fazer
- FB Mondial – Fratelli Boselli
- Felt Bicycles – Jim Felt
- Fender – Leo Fender
- Fendi – Edoardo Fendi
- Ferguson Research – Harry Ferguson
- Ferragamo – Salvatore Ferragamo
- Ferranti – Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti
- Ferrari – Enzo Ferrari
- Ferrero – Pietro Ferrero
- Ferretti Group – Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti
- Fielmann - Günther Fielmann
- Filippi Boats – Filippi Lido
- Fioravanti – Leonardo Fioravanti
- Fisher-Price – Herman Fisher and Irving Price
- Fitch Ratings – John Knowles Fitch
- Fittipaldi Automotive – Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi
- Focke-Wulf – Henrich Focke and Georg Wulf
- Fokker – Anthony Fokker
- Forbes – B. C. Forbes
- Ford Motor Company – Henry Ford
- Forti – Guido Forti
- Fortnum & Mason – William Fortnum and Hugh Mason
- Fox Racing – Geoff Fox
- Fox Racing Shox – Bob Fox
- Franck Muller – Franck Muller
- Frank Williams Racing Cars – Frank Williams
- Franklin Mint – believed to be named in honor of Benjamin Franklin
- FranklinCovey – Benjamin Franklin and Stephen Covey
- Frazer Nash – Archibald Frazer-Nash
- Freisinger Motorsport – Manfred Freisinger
- Fresenius - Eduard Fresenius
- Frost French – Sadie Frost and Jemima French
- Fuller, Smith & Turner – John Fuller, Henry Smith and John Turner
G
- Galen Institute - health care think tank named after Galen, a prominent Greek physician
- Galles Racing – Rick Galles
- Galmer – Rick GALles and Alan MERtens
- Gannett Company – Frank Gannett
- Garmin – GARy Burrell and Dr. MIN Kao
- Gartner – Gideon Gartner
- Garry Rogers Motorsport – Garry Rogers
- Gatti's Pizza – Pat Eure, née Gatti, wife of company founder Jim Eure
- Gemballa – Uwe Gemballa
- Geojit BNP Paribas - C J George, Ranajit Kanjilal & BNP Paribas
- George Dickel – George A. Dickel
- Getty Images – Mark Getty
- Getty Oil – John Paul Getty
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Company – Domingo Ghirardelli
- Giannini – Tranquillo Giannini
- Gibson Guitar Corporation – Orville Gibson
- Gibson Motor Sport – Fred Gibson
- Gilbarco – Charles Gilbert and John Barker (GILbert & BARker Manufacturing CO.)
- Gilera – Giuseppe Gilera
- Gillet – Tony Gillet
- Gillette – King C. Gillette
- Girard-Perregaux – Constant Girard and Marie Perregaux
- Gitzo – Arsène Gitzhoven
- Givenchy – Hubert de Givenchy
- Glenn L. Martin Company (to Lockheed Martin) – Glenn Luther Martin
- Glenn Seton Racing – Glenn Seton
- Glock Ges.m.b.H. – Gaston Glock
- GN – H.R. Godfrey and Archibald Frazer Nash
- Godin – Robert Godin
- Goldman Sachs – Marcus Goldman and Samuel Sachs
- Goldwyn Picture Corporation – Samuel GOLDfish, Edgar and Archibald SelWYN
- Goodrich Corporation – Benjamin Goodrich
- Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company – Charles Goodyear
- Gordon's Gin – Alexander Gordon
- Gottlieb – David Gottlieb
- Greggs – John Gregg
- Gresini Racing – Fausto Gresini
- Gretsch – Friedrich Gretsch
- GT Bicycles – Gary Turner
- Gucci – Guccio Gucci
- Guinness – Arthur Guinness
- Gumpert – Roland Gumpert
- Guthy-Renker – Bill Guthy and Greg Renker
H
- H-E-B – Howard Edward Butt (founder's son; turned the family grocery store into a supermarket chain)
- H. J. Baker and Bro., Inc. – Henry J. Baker
- H. J. Heinz Company – Henry John Heinz
- H.K. Porter, Inc. – Henry Kirke Porter
- H&R Block – Henry W. Bloch and Richard Bloch
- Haas Automation – Gene Haas
- Haas Lola – Carl Haas
- Haas Outdoors, Inc. - Toxey Haas
- Hachette Filipacchi Médias – Louis Hachette and Daniel Filipacchi
- Haldanes – Founding chairman Arthur Haldane Harris
- Halliburton – Erle P. Halliburton
- Hamann Motorsport – Richard Hamann
- Hamish Hamilton – Jamie Hamilton
- Hamleys – William Hamley
- Hämmerli – Johann Ulrich Hämmerli
- Hammond Organ – Laurens Hammond
- Hanna-Barbera Productions – William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
- Harley-Davidson – William Harley and Arthur Davidson
- Harman Kardon – Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon
- Haro Bikes – Bob Haro
- HarperCollins – James Harper and William Collins
- Harrah's Entertainment – William F. Harrah
- Harrods – Charles Henry Harrod
- Harvey Nichols – Benjamin Harvey and James Nichols
- Harvey Norman – Gerald Harvey and Ian Norman
- Hasbro – the HASsenfeld BROthers
- Hasegawa Corporation – Suguro Hasegawa
- Hasselblad – Victor Hasselblad
- Hatchards – John Hatchard
- Heal's – John Harris Heal
- Hearst Corporation – William Randolph Hearst
- Heckler & Koch – Edmund Heckler and Theodor Koch
- Heineken International – Gerard Adriaan Heineken
- Heinemann – William Heinemann
- Hendrick Motorsports – Rick Hendrick
- Henkel - Friedrich Karl Henkel
- Hennessey Performance - John Hennessey
- Hennessy – Richard Hennessy
- Herpa – Wilhelm Hergenröther (HERgenröther und PAtente)
- The Hershey Company – Milton Hershey
- Hesburger – Heikki Salmela
- Hesketh Racing, Hesketh Motorcycles – Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, 3rd Baron Hesketh
- Heuer – see TAG Heuer
- Hewitt Associates – Ted Hewitt
- Hewlett-Packard – William Hewlett and David Packard
- Hillman – William Hillman
- Hilton Hotels – Conrad Hilton
- HKS – Hiroyuki Hasegawa and Goichi Kitagawa (plus Sigma Automotive)
- Hodder & Stoughton – Matthew Hodder and Thomas Wilberforce Stoughton
- Hohner – Matthias Hohner
- Holland & Barrett – William Holland and Alfred Slapps Barrett
- Holman Moody – John Holman and Ralph Moody
- Honda – Soichiro Honda
- Honeywell – Mark Honeywell
- Horlicks – James Horlick and William Horlick
- Hormel – George A. Hormel
- Hornby Railways – Frank Hornby
- Hoshino Impul – Kazuyoshi Hoshino
- Hovnanian Enterprises – Kevork Hovnanian
- Hughes Aircraft, Hughes Tool Company (to Baker Hughes), Hughes Airwest – Howard Hughes
- Hugo Boss – Hugo Boss
- Humber – Thomas Humber
- Huntley and Palmers – Joseph Huntley and George Palmer
I
- IKEA – Ingvar Kamprad, who was from a family farm called Elmtaryd, which was near the village of Agunnaryd
- illy – Andrea Illy
- Ilmor – Mario ILlien and Paul MORgan
- Ilyushin – Sergey Ilyushin
- Ind Coope - Edward Ind and Octavius Coope
- Ingle & Rhode – Tim Ingle and David Rhode
- Innocenti – Ferdinando Innocenti
- Irmscher – Günther Irmscher
- Islabikes – Isla Rowntree
- Italdesign Giugiaro – Giorgetto Giugiaro
J
- J. Barbour & Sons – John Barbour
- J. C. Bamford – Joseph Cyril Bamford
- JCPenney – James Cash Penney
- J.J. Newberry – John Josiah Newberry
- J.P. Morgan & Co. – J. P. Morgan
- Jack Daniel Distillery – Jack Daniel
- Jackson Guitars – Grover Jackson
- Jacksons of Piccadilly – Robert Jackson
- Jacob's – William and Robert Jacob
- Jacuzzi – The Jacuzzi brothers
- James Purdey and Sons – James Purdey
- JBL – James Bullough Lansing
- Jean Coutu Group – Jean Coutu
- Jil Sander – Heidemarie "Jil" Sander
- The Jim Henson Company – Jim Henson
- Jimmy John's – Jimmy John Liautaud
- JML – John Mills (Limited)
- Jo-Han – JOhn HANley
- Joe Gibbs Racing – Joe Gibbs
- Joest Racing – Reinhold Joest
- John Cooper Works – John Cooper
- John Deere – John Deere
- John Murray – John Murray I
- John Player & Sons – John Player
- John Smith's Brewery – John Smith
- Johnnie Walker – John Walker
- Johnson & Johnson – Robert Wood Johnson I, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson
- Johnson Publishing – John H. Johnson
- Jones Lang Wootton – the last names of its three principal members
- Jordan Grand Prix – Eddie Jordan
- JR Motorsports – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (Earnhardt is frequently referred to in NASCAR circles as "Junior")
- JTG Daugherty Racing – Jodi and Tad Geschickter, and Brad Daugherty
- Judd – John Judd
- Junkers – Hugo Junkers
K
- Kaiser Aluminum, Kaiser Motors, Kaiser Permanente, Kaiser Shipyards, Kaiser Steel – Henry J. Kaiser
- Kaiser-Frazer – Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer
- Kärcher – Alfred Kärcher
- Karstadt - Rudolph Karstadt
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries – Kawasaki Shōzō
- Kellogg Company – Will Keith Kellogg
- Kelly Racing – John and Margaret Kelly
- Kenwood Limited - Kenneth Maynard Wood
- Kevin Harvick Incorporated – Kevin Harvick
- Kimberly-Clark – John A. Kimberly and Charles B. Clark
- King Kullen – Michael J. Cullen; he replaced the "C" with a "K" for marketing purposes
- Knight Ridder – John S. Knight (Knight Newspapers, Inc.) and Herman Ridder (Ridder Publications, Inc.)
- Koei – Kō Shibusawa and Eiji Fukuzawa (non-existent people)
- Koenigsegg – Christian von Koenigsegg
- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts – Jerome Kohlberg, Jr., Henry Kravis, and George R. Roberts
- Kohl's – Max Kohl
- Kojima Engineering – Matsuhisa Kojima
- Kojima Productions – Hideo Kojima
- Konami – Kagemasa KOuzuki, Yoshinobu NAkama, Tatuso MIyasako (another theory was Hiro Matsuda, and Shokichi Ishihara)
- Konrad Motorsport – Franz Konrad
- Kraft Foods – James L. Kraft
- Kremer Racing – Erwin and Manfred Kremer
- Kroger – Bernard Kroger
- Kruse International – Russell W. Kruse
- Kurtis Kraft – Frank Kurtis
- Kuzma – Eddie Kuzma
- Kwanon – Kannon (Japanese for the Buddhist bodhisattva Guan Yin)[1]
L
- L.L.Bean - Leon Leonwood Bean
- Lacoste - René Lacoste
- Lafarge – Joseph-Auguste Pavin de Lafarge
- Lagardère Group – Jean-Luc Lagardère
- Laidlaw – Robert Laidlaw
- Lamborghini – Ferruccio Lamborghini
- Lancia – Vicenzo Lancia
- Lane Bryant – Lena Bryant (first name misspelled by a bank officer when she opened her company's first bank account)
- Larrousse – Gérard Larrousse
- Lauda Air – Niki Lauda
- Lavazza – Luigi Lavazza
- Laverda – Pietro Laverda
- Lazard – Alexandre Lazard, Simon Lazard, and Elie Lazard
- LDS – Louis Douglas Serrurier
- Lee Enterprises – A. W. Lee
- Lehman Brothers – Henry Lehman, Emanuel Lehman, and Meyer Lehman
- Leica Camera, Leica Geosystems and Leica Microsystems – Ernst Leitz II (Leitz Camera)
- LeMond Racing Cycles – Greg LeMond
- Leslie – Donald Leslie
- Lesney Products – Leslie Smith and Rodney Smith
- Levi Strauss & Co. – Levi Strauss
- Li Ning Company Limited – Li Ning
- Liberty – Arthur Lasenby Liberty
- Lidl – named for Ludwig Lidl
- Life – Ernesto Vita (surname is Italian for life)
- Ligier – Guy Ligier
- Lincoln National Corporation – to convey the integrity of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln
- Linde Group – Carl von Linde
- Lipton – Thomas Lipton
- Livingston International – Gerry Livingston
- Liz Claiborne – Liz Claiborne
- Lloyds Bank – Sampson Lloyd
- Lloyd's of London – Edward Lloyd
- Lockheed Corporation (to Lockheed Martin) – Allan Haines Loughead and Malcolm Loughead
- Loews Theatres and Loews Corporation – Marcus Loew
- Longman – Thomas Longman
- Lonsdale – Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale
- Lorillard Tobacco Company – Pierre Abraham Lorillard
- Lotte – The Sorrows of Young Werther character Charlotte
- Louis B. Mayer Pictures (to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) – Louis B. Mayer
- Louis Vuitton – Louis Vuitton
- Lowe Alpine and its offshoot Lowepro – Greg, Jeff, and Mike Lowe (founders)
- Lucasfilm – George Lucas
- LVMH – see separate entries of Louis Vuitton, Moët et Chandon, and Hennessy
M
- M. D. Moody & Sons, Inc. - Maxey Dell Moody, Sr.
- Macmillan – Daniel and Alexander Macmillan
- Macy's – Rowland Hussey Macy
- Mahindra Group – K.C. Mahindra and J.C. Mahindra, India
- Maki – MimurA KenjI
- Malaguti – Antonio Malaguti
- Mamiya – Seichi Mamiya
- Manfrotto Group – Lino Manfrotto
- Mansory – Kourosh Mansory
- March Engineering – Initials of Max Mosley, Alan Rees, Graham Coaker, and Robin Herd
- Marchese – Carl Marchese
- Marconi Company – Guglielmo Marconi
- Marcus Marshall Motorsport – Marcus Marshall
- Mark Levinson – Mark Levinson
- Marks & Spencer – Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer
- Marriott Corporation (later split into Host Marriott and Marriott International) – J. Willard Marriott
- Mars, Incorporated – Frank C. Mars
- Marsh & McLennan Companies – Henry W. Marsh and Donald R. McLennan
- Marshall Amplification – Jim Marshall
- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia – Martha Stewart
- Martin-Baker – James Martin and Valentine Baker
- Martini – Tico Martini
- Martini & Rossi – Alessandro Martini and Luigi Rossi
- Mary Kay, Inc. – Mary Kay Ash
- Marzotto – Luigi Marzotto
- Matsushita Electric Industrial – Konosuke Matsushita
- Matrox – Branko MAtić and Lorne TROttier (and eXcellence)
- Mattel – Harold MATT Matson and ELliot Handler
- Mauser – Wilhelm and Paul Mauser
- Max Factor – Max Factor, Sr (born Maksymilian Faktorowicz)
- Maybach – Wilhelm and Karl Maybach
- Maytag – F. L. Maytag
- Mazda – Jujiro Matsuda, also possibly inspired by the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda
- McAfee – John McAfee
- McCaw Cellular – Craig McCaw
- McDonald's – Richard and Maurice McDonald
- McDonnell Aircraft (to McDonnell Douglas) – James Smith McDonnell
- McGraw-Hill – John A. Hill and James H. McGraw
- McKesson Corporation – John McKesson
- McLaren – Bruce McLaren
- McVitie's – Robert McVitie
- Meijer – Hendrik Meijer
- Mellon Financial Corporation – Thomas Mellon
- Menards – John Menard, Jr.
- Mercedes – named by Emil Jellinek for his daughter Mercédès Jellinek
- Merck – Friedrich Jacob Merck
- Merriam-Webster – George and Charles Merriam, and Noah Webster
- Merrill Lynch – Charles E. Merrill and Edmund C. Lynch
- Merzario – Arturo Merzario
- Messerschmitt – Willy Messerschmitt
- Methuen – Algernon Methuen
- MG Cars – William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield (Morris Garages)
- MGM or Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – Samuel Goldfish, Edgar and Archibald Selwyn, and Louis B. Mayer
- Michael Kors Holdings – Michael Kors
- Michael Waltrip Racing – Michael Waltrip
- Miele – Carl Miele
- Mikoyan – Artem Mikoyan
- MillenWorks – Rod Millen
- Minardi – Giancarlo Minardi
- Miramax Films – Miriam and Max Weinstein (parents of founders)
- Mitel – Michael Cowpland and Terry Matthews (MIke and TErry's Lawnmowers)
- Mitsuoka – Akio Mitsuoka
- Moët et Chandon – Claude Moët and Pierre-Gabriel Chandon de Briailles
- Molson – John Molson
- Momo – Giampiero Moretti (MOretti MOnza)
- Mondadori – Arnoldo Mondadori
- Montague Bikes – David Montague
- Monteverdi – Peter Monteverdi
- Moog Music – Dr. Robert Moog
- Morbidelli – Giancarlo Morbidelli
- Morgan Motor Company – H.F.S. Morgan
- Morgan Stanley – Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley
- Morris Motors – William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield
- Mosler Automotive – Warren Mosler
- Moto Guzzi – Carlo Guzzi
- Moto Morini – Alfonso Morini
- MTM Enterprises – Mary Tyler Moore
- Murphy's Brewery – James J. Murphy
- MV Agusta – Vincenzo and Domenico Agusta
- Myer - Sidney Myer
N
- Nakajima Racing – Satoru Nakajima
- Nakamichi – Etsuro Nakamichi
- Namco – Masaya Nakamura (NAkamura Manufacturing COmpany)
- Nardi – Enrico Nardi
- Nash Motors – Charles Williams Nash
- Neckermann - Josef Neckermann
- Neiman Marcus – Herbert Marcus, Sr., Carrie Marcus Neiman, and A. L. Neiman
- Nero AG – Nero
- Nestlé – Henri Nestlé
- Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing – Paul Newman, Carl Haas, and Mike Lanigan
- Newman's Own – Paul Newman
- Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy – Nick Bollettieri
- Nielsen – Arthur Nielsen
- Niki – Niki Lauda
- Nobel Enterprises - Alfred Nobel
- Norbert Dentressangle – Norbert Dentressangle
- Nordstrom – John W. Nordstrom
- Northrop – Jack Northrop
O
- Offenhauser – Fred Offenhauser
- Office Kitano – Takeshi Kitano
- Öhlins – Kenth Öhlins
- Oldsmobile – Ransom E. Olds
- Olin Corporation – Franklin W. Olin
- Olivetti – Camillo Olivetti
- Orton Ceramic Foundation – Edward Orton, Jr.
- Osella – Enzo Osella
- Otis Elevator Company – Elisha Otis
- Otto GmbH – Michael Otto
P
- Pagani – Horacio Pagani
- Pamida – PAtrick, MIchael, and DAvid Witherspoon, sons of company co-founder Jim Witherspoon
- Panhard – René Panhard
- Panoz – Don Panoz
- Papa John's Pizza – "Papa" John Schnatter
- Patek Philippe & Co. – Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe
- Pathé – Charles and Émile Pathé
- Paul Cruickshank Racing – Paul Cruickshank
- Paul K. Guillow, Inc. – Paul K. Guillow
- Paul Morris Motorsport – Paul Morris
- Peavey Electronics – Hartley Peavey
- Peek Freans – James Peek and George Hender Frean
- Penske Corporation – Roger Penske
- PerkinElmer – Richard Scott Perkin and Charles Elmer
- Perot Systems – H. Ross Perot, Jr.
- Perry Ellis International – Perry Ellis
- Petty Enterprises – Lee Petty
- Peugeot – Armand Peugeot
- Pfizer – Charles Pfizer
- Philip Morris International and Philip Morris USA – Philip Morris
- Philips – Gerard Philips
- Piaggio – Rinaldo Piaggio
- Pinarello – Giovanni Pinarello
- Pininfarina – Sergio Pininfarina
- Pirelli – Giovanni Battista Pirelli
- Pontiac – Chief Pontiac
- Porsche – Ferdinand Porsche
- Porsche Design – Ferdinand Alexander Porsche
- Powell Peralta – George Powell and Stacy Peralta
- Prada – Mario Prada
- Pramac d'Antin – Luis d'Antin
- Pressman Toy Corporation – Jack Pressman
- PricewaterhouseCoopers – Samuel Lowell Price, Edwin Waterhouse, William Cooper
- Procter & Gamble – William Procter and James Gamble
- Promotions Varoussac, original name of the wrestling promotion later known as Lutte Internationale – Frank Valois, André Roussimoff (aka André the Giant), Louis Accocella (aka Gino Brito)
- Prost Grand Prix – Alain Prost
- PRS Guitars – Paul Reed Smith
- Pye – William George Pye
Q
R
- R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) – R. J. Reynolds
- Railton – Reid Railton
- Rainer-Wurz.com – Markus Rainer and Alexander Wurz
- Ralt – Ron and Austin Lewis Tauranac
- RAM Racing – Mike RAlph and John Macdonald
- Rawlings – George and Alfred Rawlings
- RE Amemiya – Asami Amemiya
- Rebaque – Héctor Rebaque
- Reiter Engineering – Hans Reiter
- Renault – Louis Renault
- Rensi-Hamilton Racing – Ed and Sam Rensi, and Bobby Hamilton, Jr.
- REO Motor Car Company – Ransom E. Olds
- Reuters – Paul Reuter
- Reynard Motorsport – Adrian Reynard
- Richard Childress Racing – Richard Childress
- Richard Petty Motorsports – Richard Petty
- Rickenbacker – Adolph Rickenbacher
- Riddell – John Tate Riddell
- Rieger Tuning – Toni Rieger
- Riese und Müller – Markus Riese and Heiko Müller
- Riley & Scott – Bob Riley and Mark Scott
- Riley Motor – William Riley Jr.
- Riley Technologies – Bob and Bill Riley
- Rinspeed – Frank RINderknecht
- Ripspeed – Keith Ripp
- Rizzoli-Corriere della Sera – Angelo Rizzoli
- RM Auctions – Rob Myers
- RML Group – Ray Mallock
- Robeez – Sandra Wilson's son Robert
- Robert Bosch GmbH – Robert Bosch
- Robert Yates Racing – see Yates Racing
- Roberts Radio – Harry Roberts
- Rockefeller Group – John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
- Rockwell International, North American Rockwell, Rockwell Semiconductor – Willard Rockwell
- Rod Millen Motorsports – see MillenWorks
- Rod Nash Racing – Rod Nash
- Rogers Communications – Edward S. "Ted" Rogers
- Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works – Thomas Rogers
- Rogers Vacuum Tube Company – Edward S. Rogers, Sr.
- Rolls-Royce plc, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – Charles Rolls and Henry Royce
- Rondel Racing – RON Dennis and Neil TrunDLE
- Rootes Group (now part of Peugeot) - William Rootes
- Rossetti Architects – Gino Rossetti and Matthew L. Rossetti
- Rothmans – Louis Rothman
- Roush Performance, Roush Fenway Racing – Jack Roush
- Rowntree's – Henry Isaac Rowntree
- RPG Group – Rama Prasad Goenka, India
- RSA Security – Ronald Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Len Adleman
- Rudge-Whitworth – Daniel Rudge
- Ruf Automobile – Alois Ruf
- Russell & Bromley – Albion Russell and George Frederick Bromley
- Ryanair – Tony Ryan
S
- S. C. Johnson & Son – Samuel Curtis Johnson, Sr.
- Sainsbury's – John James Sainsbury
- Saks Fifth Avenue – Andrew Saks
- Saleen – Steve Saleen
- Sam's Club – Sam Walton
- Samsonite – Samson
- Samuel Smith Brewery – Samuel Smith
- Santoni – Andrea and Rosa Santoni
- Sauber – Peter Sauber
- Savoia-Marchetti – Umberto Savoia and Alessandro Marchetti
- Sbarro (U.S. pizza restaurant chain) – Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro
- Sbarro (Swiss automaker) – Franco Sbarro
- Schlecker - Anton Schlecker
- Schnitzer Motorsport – Josef and Herbert Schnitzer
- SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions - Herbert Schwind
- Schwinn Bicycle Company – Ignaz Schwinn
- Scott – Ed Scott
- Sears – Richard Warren Sears
- formerly Sears, Roebuck – Sears and Alvah Roebuck
- Seeburg Corporation – Justus Sjöberg (Anglicized name)
- Seecamp – Ludwig Wilhelm "Louis" Seecamp
- Seedorf Racing – Clarence Seedorf
- Selfridges – Harry Gordon Selfridge
- Sennheiser electronic – Fritz Sennheiser
- Shakespeare Fishing Tackle – William Shakespeare, Jr.
- Shanghai Tang – David Tang
- Shaw Brothers Studio, Shaw Organisation – Run Run Shaw and Runme Shaw
- Sheetz – Bob Sheetz
- Sherwin-Williams Company – Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams
- Shimano – Shozaburo Shimano
- Shugart Associates – Alan Shugart
- Shure Incorporated – Sidney Shure
- Siemens AG – Werner von Siemens
- Sikorsky Aircraft – Igor Sikorsky
- Simpson Performance Products – Bill Simpson
- Sinclair Radionics, Sinclair Research, Sinclair Vehicles – Clive Sinclair
- Singer Corporation – Isaac Merritt Singer
- Singer Motors – George Singer
- Skip Barber Racing School – Skip Barber
- Smith and Nephew – Thomas James Smith and nephew Horatio Nelson Smith
- Smith & Wesson – Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson
- Sopwith Aviation Company – Thomas Sopwith
- Sotheby's – John Sotheby
- Spice Engineering – Gordon Spice
- SRAM Corporation – Scott King, Stanley Ray Day, and SAM Patterson
- Standard & Poor's – Henry Varnum Poor
- Stanley Black & Decker – Frederick Trent Stanley, S. Duncan Black, and Alonzo G. Decker
- formerly Stanley Works, named after the aforementioned Stanley
- Steinway & Sons – Henry E. Steinway
- Stern – Sam Stern
- Stewart Grand Prix – Jackie and Paul Stewart
- Stewart Haas Racing – Tony Stewart and Gene Haas (via Haas Automation)
- Stewart-Warner – John K. Stewart and Arthur P. Warner
- Stihl – Andreas Stihl
- Stillen – STeve MILLEN
- Stobart Group – Eddie Stobart
- Stockmann – Georg Franz Stockmann
- Stone Brothers Racing – Ross and Jim Stone
- Strömberg – Gottfrid Strömberg
- Sturm, Ruger – Alexander McCormick Sturm and William B. Ruger
- Stutz Motor Company – Harry C. Stutz
- Sukhoi – Pavel Sukhoi
- Sullivan Bluth Studios – Don Bluth and Morris Sullivan
- Sumitomo Group – Sumitomo Masatomo
- Super Aguri F1 – Aguri Suzuki
- Surtees – John Surtees
- Suzuki – Michio Suzuki
- Swarovski – Daniel Swarovski
T
- Taft Broadcasting – Charles Phelps Taft
- TAG Heuer – Eduardo Heuer
- Tamiya – Yoshio Tamiya
- Tandy Corporation - Dave L. Tandy
- Tanfoglio – Tanfoglio Giuseppe
- Taser International – Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle
- Tata – Jamsetji Tata, India
- Tate & Lyle - Henry Tate and Abram Lyle
- Taylor Wimpey - Frank Taylor and George Wimpey
- Taylor Woodrow - Frank Taylor and Jack Woodrow
- Teacher's Highland Cream – William Teacher
- Team Goh – Kazimuchi Goh
- Team LCR – Lucio Cecchinello
- Ten Kate Racing – Gerrit ten Kate, named after his nephew Ronald's motorcycle dealership Ten Kate Motorcycles
- Terrytoons - Paul Terry
- Tesco – T. E. Stockwell and Jack Cohen
- Tesla Motors – named in honor of Nikola Tesla
- Testor Corporation – Nils Testor
- Tetley's Brewery (Joshua Tetley & Sons) - Joshua Tetley
- Theakston Brewery – Robert Theakston
- Thomas B. Jeffery Company – Thomas B. Jeffery
- Thomas Cook Group, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomas Cook & Son – Thomas Cook
- The Thomson Corporation – Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet
- Various named after Elihu Thomson:
- Alstom
- Thomson-CSF (now Thales Group)
- Thomson-Houston Electric Company (now General Electric)
- Thomson SA (now Technicolor SA)
- Thorn Electrical Industries - Jules Thorn
- Thorntons (British chocolatier) - Joseph William Thornton
- Thorntons (U.S. convenience store chain) - James H. Thornton
- Thrupp & Maberly (former coachbuilders) - George Thrupp and George Maberly
- THX – Tomlinson Holman
- ThyssenKrupp - Thyssen family and the Krupp family
- Tiffany & Co. – Charles Lewis Tiffany
- Tiffen – Sol Tiffen
- Tim Hortons – Tim Horton
- Timken Company – Henry Timken
- Tokuma Shoten – Yasuyoshi Tokuma
- Toleman – Ted Toleman
- Tom Walkinshaw Racing – Tom Walkinshaw
- Tommy Kaira – Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira
- TOM'S – Nobuhide Tachi and Kiyoshi Oiwa (Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport)
- Tom's of Maine – Tom and Kate Chappell
- Toni & Guy – Giuseppe "Toni" and Gaetano "Guy" Mascolo
- Tony Roma's – Tony Roma
- Towers Perrin – John Towers and Charles Perrin
- Toyota Industries – Sakichi Toyoda
- Toyota Motor – Kiichiro Toyoda
- Triple F Racing – Paul, Todd, and Dean Fiore
- Trump Organization – Fred Trump
- Trump Shuttle, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort – Donald Trump
- Tupolev – Andrei Tupolev
- Tupperware Brands – Earl Tupper
- Turner Broadcasting System – Ted Turner
- TVR – TreVoR Wilkinson
- TVS Motors, TVS Electronics – T. V. Sundaram Iyengar, India
- Twinings – Thomas Twining
- Tyrrell Racing – Ken Tyrrell
U
V
- Valentino – Valentino Garavani
- Vanwall – Tony VANdervell (and ThinWALL bearings)
- VDL Bova – J.D. Bova
- Veilside – Hiranao Yokomaku; "yoko" translates as "side" and "maku" as "veil"
- Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing – Velco "Vel" Miletich and Parnelli Jones
- Versace – Gianni Versace
- Verville Aircraft Company – Alfred V. Verville
- Vibram – VItale BRAMani
- Vroom & Dreesmann – Willem Vroom and Anton Dreesmann
W
- W.B. Mason – William Betts Mason
- W H Smith – William Henry Smith
- W. R. Grace and Company – William Russell Grace
- W. W. Norton – William Warder Norton
- Waitrose – Wallace WAITe and Arthur ROSE
- Wal-Mart – Sam Walton
- Walgreens – Charles Rudolph Walgreen
- Walkinshaw Racing – Tom Walkinshaw
- Wall's (ice cream) and Wall's (meat) – Richard Wall
- The Walt Disney Company – Walt Disney
- Walter Wolf Racing – Walter Wolf
- Wang Laboratories – An Wang
- Warburtons – Ellen and Thomas Warburton
- Warner Bros. – Jack L. Warner, Sam Warner, Harold Warner, and Albert Warner
- Wegmans – John and Walter Wegman
- Wells Fargo – Henry Wells and William Fargo
- Wendy's – Dave Thomas' daughter Melinda "Wendy" Thomas
- Weslake – Harry Weslake
- Westinghouse Electric – George Westinghouse
- Whitbread – Samuel Whitbread
- Whyte and Mackay – James Whyte and Charles Mackay
- Wiesmann – Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann
- Wilkinson – James Kemsey Wilkinson
- Willi Betz – Willi Betz
- William Hill plc - William Hill
- Williams Grand Prix Engineering – Frank Williams
- Williams Manufacturing Company, (to) Williams Electronics – see WMS Industries
- Winchester, Winchester Repeating Arms - Oliver Winchester
- Winning Appliances - John Winning and the Winning family
- WMS Industries, WMS Gaming – Harry E. WilliaMS
- Wood Brothers Racing – Glen, Leonard, Delano, Clay, and Ray Lee Wood
- Woolworths – F. W. Woolworth
- Worthington Brewery – William Worthington
- Wright Company, Wright Aeronautical (to Wright-Martin) – Orville and Wilbur Wright
- Wrigley Company – William Wrigley Jr.
- Würth - Adolf Würth
Y
- Yakovlev – Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev
- Yamaha Corporation – Torakusu Yamaha
- Yates Racing – Robert Yates
- Yokomo – Tomoaki Yokobori (spun off from a model shop named YOKObori MOdel Shop)
- Young's (now Wells & Young's Brewery) – Charles Young
- Yuke's – Yukinori Taniguchi
- Yves Saint Laurent – Yves Saint Laurent
Z
- Zagato – Ugo Zagato
- Zakspeed – Erich ZAKowski
- Zend Technologies – ZEev Suraski & ANDi Gutmans
- Zust – Roberto Züst
See also
References
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.