The Truth About Pepe's Inspiration
Martin, the Geico Gecko, was the original inspiration behind the iconic Pepe meme character.
2005
Matt Furie posted multiple pictures of Martin (The Geico Gecko) on his MySpace page — the first posts on that page, laying the groundwork for what would become the Pepe phenomenon.(View MySpace posts)
2008
Extensive research revealed a news article explicitly naming Martin as the original inspiration to Pepe — historical evidence that connects the dots.(View News Article)
Today
$MARTIN represents the original inspiration behind one of the most recognizable meme characters in internet history, bringing the story full circle.
Video Evidence: Gecko Named Martin
Direct proof that the Geico Gecko's name is Martin, confirming the connection to the original inspiration behind Pepe.