Chevrolet had some years ago a strong brand name auto, the Nova. In the East European markets, it was poorly received. The reason being  No Va meant don’t go.It is ridiculous for an auto to have such a brand name.

Rubbermaid, a strong US brand, was ridiculed in the UK  as it connoted sex toys. Grand Teton, a mountain terrain bike in the US, was a good name, though in French speaking countries, it became an embarrassment where its literal meaning was the size of a woman’s breasts.

Brand managers must ensure that the brand name translates appropriately in different countries and different languages.