The name 'Motel' is a Yiddish diminutive of Mordecai. It gained cultural prominence as the name of a character in the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' (1964). In a broader context, 'motel' refers to a type of hotel designed for motorists, typically featuring rooms that open directly to a parking area. The term originated as a portmanteau of 'motor hotel' and was popularized after World War II, with its roots traced back to the Milestone Mo-Tel in San Luis Obispo, California, built in 1925.