Here’s a Quick Look at the History of the Jeep Wave

Let’s explore three theories on the origins of the once-popular gesture.

Maybe the reason that the Jeep Wave isn’t quite as popular as it was some years ago stems from the fact that a lot of today’s Wrangler owners don’t know anything about the origins of the gesture.

Let’s be honest, a lot of older, more longstanding fans aren’t sure how the Jeep Wave begin.

We were reminded of that after stumbling on an AutoBlog story that explores the origins of the Wave. The auto news source focuses on three theories in particular. Of course, one of the most well-known ideas centered on the belief that the Jeep Wave started during World War II as a form of camaraderie shared among the troops.

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The second is that it started after the war with the introduction of civilian Jeeps. The theory here is the gesture started with ex-GIs. Likely some of the first Jeep owners, they invented it to acknowledge each other’s service when passing one another on the road.

The third theory is that it started in the ’70s. When off-roading became a popular pastime, it was a way to recognize people who shared a passion for outdoor adventures. Of all the theories, we think this one is the least plausible.

Maybe we just like the idea of the Jeep Wave being rooted more in America’s military legacy. Don’t get us wrong, off-roading in the ’70s sounds like a blast. But the idea of the Wave coming out of World War II just makes it seem that much more important to Jeep culture.