Vanity plates, also called personalized plates, give motorists the chance to spread a message–it can be about something or someone they love, their occupation, or a reference to their car, among other reasons.

I. Names & Initials

These California plates once belonged to my mother, whose initials are KG. (“KG is before you”).

The South Carolina plate likely belonged to a married couple (hence the “S” at the end of each set). This type of vanity is common in all states.

This Illinois vanity on the right is really “NINA 2” once you account that the “E” is the standard prefix for this environmental specialty.

Other names & initials:

II. Occupations & Hobbies

Cowgirl

Love to cheer

Hook ’em

Trail Gal

I work too hard

Prenatal (nurse)

fd

To decorate

III. Say It Simple

Mom’s wagon

You can do it

Buffalo Bill

Too unique

Foxy Lass

Black Widow

Double Play

Sagebrush

Hoop Dream

Motel

Maybe Our Sharkey

Affirm

My guess is Little apple

IV. Miscellaneous

I deviate

Might refer to a car model

Homage to Darth Vader?

My guess is SBA refers to Small Business Administration

Retiree?

Ah, Paris!

Refers to a French term

A goddess in Hinduism

Pink refers to breast cancer awareness, matching the plate

Any guesses?

Refers to a car model

Sun cruiser (was on a convertible)

Gray Lady (probably)

Rough Rider (the Rough Riders were a volunteer cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt, during the Spanish-American War; Roosevelt spent meaningful time in North Dakota)

Decide-for-yourself

Refers to a U.S. Navy vessel

My guess is Ultimate Fanatic

This Montana pair is most unusual since there are two different bases. They were found on a junkyard car. Likely the owner received or ordered the newer design but kept one old out of personal preference.

Plates on this page which are a unique design for vanities, instead of whatever the current passenger was at the time.

-Alaska

-Kansas (all)

-Missouri “JW3”

-South Carolina (all)

-Washington “AFFIRM”