The name Autavia is a portmanteau coined in the 1960s by the Swiss watchmaker Heuer, combining the words "automobile" and "aviation." It was the name given to a specific line of chronograph wristwatches designed for racing drivers and pilots. The Autavia name does not have any linguistic or cultural origins predating the 20th century.

While the name Autavia itself holds no historical significance prior to its creation as a brand name, the words it combines have long histories. The word "automobile" traces its roots to the Ancient Greek "autos" meaning self and the Late Latin "mobilis" meaning movable. The term was first used in a theoretical sense as early as the 17th century to describe self-propelled vehicles.

The word "aviation" stems from the Late Latin "aviatus" meaning bird-like and the verb "aviare" meaning to mimic bird flight. It emerged in the early 19th century as humans began experimenting with heavier-than-air flight. These words came together when Jack Heuer, the grandson of the company's founder, created the Autavia chronograph line in 1962.

While no specific individuals shared the first name Autavia prior to the 1960s, several notable personalities were associated with the Heuer Autavia watch over the decades. These include racing drivers like Jo Siffert (1936-1971), Derek Bell (born 1941), and Jacky Ickx (born 1945), as well as aviators like Ernie Gann (1910-1991) and Walter Schirra (1923-2007).

The Autavia line itself has achieved iconic status among watch collectors and enthusiasts. While no longer in production today, vintage Autavia models are highly sought after and celebrated as important pieces of watchmaking history. The name ultimately represents the convergence of automobiles, aviation, and precision timekeeping.