Kia is facing backlash in Ireland after the name of its latest car has many on the island saying it reminds them of a term associated with a terrorist group.

Lawmakers in Northern Island have formally asked the Korean automaker to rethink the name of the Provo, a super-mini sports coupe unveiled this week at the Geneva Auto Show.

That's because the term "provo" is Irish slang for the Provisional IRA, the dominant arm of the outlawed group the Irish Republican Army that was responsible for dozens of terror attacks against civilians stretching over decades.

In a statement, Kia said the name is designed to be "provocative" but having the car associated with a controversial group is likely not the sort of attention the company was looking for.

Naming missteps

This isn't the first time an automaker has landed in hot water over the name of a vehicle.

In Spanish, Chevy's Nova means "doesn't go," Mazda's LaPuta translates as the term for a prostitute when the syllables are split up and the Nissan Moco also means "booger" in Spanish.

Honda ditched the term "Fitta" for its compact car that became the Fit after it was revealed that Fitta is a Scandinavian slang word to describe a woman's genitals.

Ford's infamous Pinto is the name for a small spotted pony in Spanish, but is also Brazilian Portuguese slang for penis.

Closer to home, GM landed in hot water when its rebranded Buick emerged as the LaCrosse. That term is Québécois slang for pleasuring yourself, in some parts of the province.