The Interesting Origins Behind 6 Quirky Tech Names
Similar to the pharmaceutical industry, Silicon Valley excels at crafting memorable brand names from unusual, surprising, and sometimes downright nonsensical origins. Here's the story behind how six well-known tech companies, platforms, and gadgets got their names.
Skype
Microsoft is set to retire the iconic video communication platform in early 2025. Launched in 2003, Skype aimed to use webcams to make internet-based video and phone services accessible to everyone. The name originated from combining 'Sky peer-to-peer' to describe its communication technology, later shortened to 'Skyper.' When domain names like skyper.com were unavailable, the 'r' was dropped, and Skype.com was registered.
The name Reddit is essentially a playful twist on the phrase 'read it,' as in 'I read it online.' However, as one user pointed out, there's also an interesting Latin connection. A loose translation of 'reddit' is 'render,' which means 'to submit for consideration or approval,' aligning perfectly with the purpose of the site.
ebay
eBay's name has an interesting origin. The site was initially called AuctionWeb. It was created in 1995 by software developer Pierre Omidyar, who wanted to build something cool online. The first item sold on the site was a broken laser pointer, which surprisingly sold to a collector. Omidyar later decided to name the site after his computer consulting company, Echo Bay, but since the domain was taken, he shortened it to eBay and registered the domain we know today.
Kindle
E-readers became popular in the 2010s, with Amazon’s Kindle leading the way. Contrary to some beliefs, the name isn’t a jab at paper books (like 'kindling' for a fire). Amazon explains that 'Kindle' refers to sparking an intellectual fire of new ideas, allowing readers easy access to the company's extensive digital library.
Etsy
For some time, the company kept the origin of the name 'Etsy' a secret, prompting users to come up with their own theories. In a January 2010 interview, founder Rob Kalin finally explained the name’s origin. He wanted a unique, meaningless word to build the brand from the ground up. While watching Fellini's 8 ½, he noticed the Italian phrase 'etsi,' meaning 'oh, yes,' and also found that in Latin, it translates to 'and if.'
Bing
When Microsoft was naming its search engine, it aimed for a single syllable, memorable, and easy-to-spell word. After considering several options, including 'bang,' which was deemed inappropriate, they chose 'Bing.' The name is catchy, resembles 'bingo' (suggesting success when you find what you're looking for), and evokes the 'bing' sound associated with a light bulb moment or a sudden idea. In China, it's known as bì yìng, meaning 'very certain to answer.' However, some critics jokingly claim that Bing stands for 'Bing Is Not Google.'
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