The History and Meaning of the Alfa Romeo Logo

A few words about the origins of Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 in Milan, Italy. Although the beginnings were bumpy, the company began to find success by focusing their efforts on sports vehicles. It was by winning many races that Alfa Romeo gained great notoriety. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived as the country went to war. Alfa Romeo's main plant was then converted to manufacture military equipment.

After the war, Alfa Romeo returned to honors thanks to the success of their talented race car drivers, including Enzo Ferrari, who launched the Ferrari brand a few years later. In the 1950s, Alfa Romeo stood out with two new models that were very successful: the Alfa Romeo 1900 and the Giulietta. The Giulietta was replaced a few years later by the Giulia, which is still sold to this day. In 1986, the brand was bought by Fiat, then in 2014 by Chrysler. Despite this, Alfa Romeo remains one of the most recognized Italian car manufacturers to this today.

Where exactly does the name Alfa Romeo come from?

For those wondering what the origin of the name Alfa Romeo is, the answer is in two parts. First, Alfa is an acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, which means Lombard Public Limited Company for the Construction of Automobiles when translated. The letters had been carefully chosen to represent the first letter of the Greek alphabet, alpha.

Also, it was only a few years later that Romeo was added to the name of the Italian company. It was when the factory had to be converted during the First World War that Nicola Romeo was appointed head of the company. That was when Alfa became Alfa Romeo.

The first Alfa Romeo logo and the meaning of the symbols

Now let's move on to Alfa Romeo's visual identity, especially its first logo and the symbols. If we exclude the first Alfa emblem, it must be said that the Alfa Romeo logo has undergone few changes compared to the one we know today. Used from 1910, all the important components are still there.

From their beginnings, the Italian car brand opted for a badge logo with a round background, which is rather original when compared to other brands in the same country. In the outer circle, is the name Alfa in gold on a blue background, with the original place, Milano. Golden laurel branches were added to each side to represent the many prizes and victories of the racing vehicles.

Like other manufacturers such as Ferrari and BMW, Alfa Romeo drew much of their inspiration for their famous logo from their place of origin. First, on the left-hand side, the red cross on a white background represents the city of Milan. But what about the other symbol? What exactly does it represent? Is it a dragon or a snake? Does it breathe fire?

In fact, it's the symbol of the Visconti family, important members of the Milanese nobility. It is said to be a grass snake devouring a child. The grass snake also appears on the coat of arms of the Duchy of Milan. It's an unusual symbol to use for a business logo. 

The evolution of Alfa Romeo's logos over time

Subsequently, the Alfa Romeo logo would undergo several minor changes. In 1915, Romeo was added to the company's official name in a thicker, sans-serif font with gold to add emphasis. Later, gold was replaced by silver and the symbols have changed style over the decades. However, in 1947, the Milano disappeared from the emblem.

The 2015 redesign is one of the most simplified redesigns to date. The background of the two symbols is removed and changed for metallic silver. The number of colors increased to four and a subtle 3D effect was added.

How to be inspired by Alfa Romeo when creating your logo

Alfa Romeo can certainly be a source of inspiration when creating your logo. First, does the area where you live have any symbols or coats of arms that you could use? This Italian brand has been able to use several elements related to the city of Milan and its history to create something both unique and representative, two important characteristics of a good logo. This can be a way to stand out if you're in a more competitive environment.

Then, why not opt for a badge or coat of arms type of logo? This can be another way to set yourself apart, as companies often choose to create a combined logo. There is a slightly more prestigious and serious touch with the coat of arms. This is to be considered if you want a more upscale clientele. And to make it different, consider using a shape other than the shield for the background. Note that a circle is associated with wheels and a steering wheel in the automotive field, but also with movement, community, and harmony.

In conclusion, the Alfa Romeo logo is unique and a tribute to the city of Milan. Over time, the emblem has also become a symbol of performance and distinction, thanks to the quality of its vehicles.

Above, we mentioned that Enzo Ferrari had worked for Alfa Romeo before starting his own company. If you are interested in the subject, we invite you to discover the meaning of the Ferrari logo. And this time, there is nothing related to children being devoured by giant snakes.