BEHIND EVERY GREAT BRAND THERE’S A GREAT NAME

How did Nike get its name? Dive into the fascinating world of branding

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The genesis of iconic brand names often involves a mixture of creativity, inspiration, and strategic vision. Incredibly successful companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, Nike, and Google have names that today are synonymous with their products but that was not the case when those names were chosen.

Unraveling the stories behind these brand names shows the intention, symbolism, and market positioning, showcasing the strategic acumen that underpins their enduring legacies.

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The birth of the name "Apple" for the iconic tech company traces back to the fertile grounds of Steve Jobs' creativity. Co-founder Steve Jobs, known for his penchant for simplicity and innovation, chose the name as a departure from the prevailing trends in the tech industry dominated by complex and intimidating names.

Jobs envisioned a brand that would resonate with consumers on a personal level, evoking warmth, simplicity, and approachability. The choice also carried a personal touch, as Jobs had spent some time working on an apple orchard during his youth.

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While the name "Starbucks" now conjures images of coffee culture, community, and global ubiquity, its origin is rooted in nautical history rather than caffeinated pursuits. Founded in Seattle in 1971 by three partners inspired by Moby-Dick, the name pays homage to the first mate on the ship Pequod, Starbuck.

This literary allusion captures the seafaring spirit of the brand's Pacific Northwest origins. The founders sought a name that conveyed the rich, seafaring tradition of coffee trading, and Starbucks resonated as an evocative and memorable choice. The maritime theme extends to the iconic logo, featuring a twin-tailed mermaid.

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The name "Facebook" is now synonymous with social networking, but its origins can be traced back to a more unconventional source: college dormitories. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, the name describes the platform's initial purpose: connecting students within a university's social circles.

The term "Facebook" itself refers to the printed directories universities distributed to students, containing photos and basic information about their peers. Zuckerberg's digital adaptation transformed this concept into a virtual space where people could share their lives, making the name a metaphorical extension of a real-world social directory.

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The name "Coca-Cola" is a perfect testament to the brand's rich history and the fusion of its original ingredients. Conceived by Dr. John Stith Pemberton in the late 19th century, the beverage was initially marketed as a patent medicine, containing coca leaves and kola nuts.

The name "Coca" is a direct reference to the coca leaves, while "Cola" is derived from the kola nuts. The combination of these two elements not only gave the drink its distinctive flavor but also created a name that resonated with consumers.

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The name "Nike" comes from ancient Greek mythology. Co-founder Phil Knight, a track and field athlete, and his business partner Jeff Johnson drew from the winged goddess of victory, Nike.

In Greek mythology, Nike symbolizes strength, speed, and triumph, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of the athletic brand. The swoosh logo, designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971, further embodies the brand's spirit, representing movement and speed.

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The name "Adobe" is synonymous with digital creativity and design. It finds its origins in the co-founders' love for the Adobe Creek that ran behind the house of John Warnock, one of the company's founders.

In the context of the software giant, the name signifies the seamless flow of ideas and innovation in the realm of digital creativity. It captures the essence of the company's commitment to providing tools that empower individuals and organizations to create, express, and transform ideas.

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Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA is an acronym that combines the founder's initials (I.K.) with those of Elmtaryd, the farm where he grew up, and Agunnaryd, his hometown.

The Swedish origin of the name adds a touch of Scandinavian flair, enhancing the brand's image as a global purveyor of well-designed, ready-to-assemble furniture.

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The name "Cisco" itself is derived from the term "San Francisco," the city where the company originated. Its logo resembles the Golden Gate Bridge. Beyond its geographical symbolism, the name reflects Cisco's core mission: to act as a bridge, connecting people and information seamlessly.

The choice of a concise name aligns with the brand's commitment to simplifying complex networking solutions. Today, Cisco stands not just as a name but as a symbol of connectivity and innovation.

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"Amazon" draws its inspiration from the world's second-longest river. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, the name symbolizes the ambitious and expansive vision of the e-commerce giant.

The Amazon River, with its immense volume and diverse ecosystem, epitomizes abundance and variety. Bezos envisioned his company in a similar vein, aiming to create an online marketplace that offered an extensive array of products.

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Perhaps one of the most straightforward names on this list, the IBM acronym stands for International Business Machines Corporation. Established in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), the company evolved through mergers and acquisitions.

The name change to IBM in 1924 signified a strategic shift towards global computing solutions. The choice of the "International" part of the name emphasized the company's global aspirations, while"Machines" reflected its focus on manufacturing tabulating, and calculating machines.

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Few people know that "eBay" was initially named "AuctionWeb." However, as the site expanded beyond auctions to encompass a broader spectrum of online transactions, the name needed a change to reflect its evolving identity.

The founder Pierre Omidyar, inspired by the notion of an "electronic bay" where people could drop their goods and conduct business, coined the new name "eBay" in 1997. This moniker not only captures the digital essence of the platform but also emphasizes the idea of creating a virtual marketplace.

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A brand name as ubiquitous as Google originated as a misspelling of "googol", a mathematical term representing the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. Co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin chose this name in 1997 to convey their mission of organizing the vast amount of information on the internet.

The transformation from "googol" to "Google" not only showcased the company's playfulness but also its commitment to making immense amounts of data accessible and searchable.

GARLAND IS NOT JUST JUDY’S LAST NAME

Seasonal Words: Christmas Edition!

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Every season has its peculiarities. Quirks, habits, colors, songs, recipes, and yes, even specific lingo. The Christmas season is no different in this regard: it is a time for family, friends, and festivities, but it's also a time for unique vocabulary that adds to the spirit of the season. From traditional terms to popular slang, here's a guide to some of the words that make Christmas special. Go ahead and read on. Perhaps you will even find yourself using one of these words next Christmas!

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The word Yuletide has become synonymous with Christmas, conjuring images of cozy fireplaces, twinkling lights, and the warmth of family gatherings. Yet, its origins lie in a pre-Christian Germanic tradition. Over time, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the Yuletide festivities were gradually incorporated into Christmas celebrations. The pagan rituals were replaced with Christian traditions, but the word "Yule" persisted, serving as a reminder of the pre-Christian roots of the holiday.

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As with "Yuletide," nowadays, the name "Kris Kringle" is synonymous with Santa Claus, but it is believed to have originated from the German word Christkindl, which means "Christ child." In Germany, _Christkind_l was a traditional figure who brought gifts to children on Christmas Eve, represented by an angel. Over time, the name Christkindl morphed into "Kris Kringle," and its association with Santa Claus grew even stronger.

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Let us close the round of Santa Claus names with this one, the name good ole’ Santa had before being Santa. The nickname "St. Nicks" stems from the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra, Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his kindness, generosity, and devotion to children. He became the subject of many legends and stories, often depicted as secretly giving gifts to the poor and needy.

Over time, the Dutch adopted Saint Nicholas as their patron saint of children, calling him Sinterklaas (sounds similar already when pronounced out loud, doesn’t it?). When Dutch settlers arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the 17th century, they brought their Sinterklaas traditions with them. The English-speaking local folks gradually transformed Sinterklaas into Santa Claus, but the nickname "St. Nicks" persisted even to this day.

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The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." In the context of Christianity, it refers to the period of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Today, Advent marks a time of preparation, reflection, and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas in the first place. Advent is also the name of a certain type of calendar that leads up to Christmas Eve, with little gifts and knickknacks prepared in advance for each day. Pretty neat, right?

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You probably know what a Christmas carol is. Maybe you even participate in its singing. The word itself is derived from the Old French term carole, which meant a circle dance accompanied by singing. These carols were popular in medieval Europe and were often performed during religious festivals or celebrations. The songs themselves were typically simple, with repetitive melodies and easy-to-remember lyrics. Not too different from the ones sung today.

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Maybe you know this one too. It's the stuff that one of the three Wise Men gave to Jesus when he was born, right? Myrrh is a natural resin extracted from the Commiphora myrrha tree, a small, thorny shrub native to the arid regions of Arabia, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The resin is collected by making incisions in the bark of the tree, allowing the sap to harden into a fragrant, amber-colored substance.

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The word "Scrooge" stems from the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is one cold-hearted fellow who represents the negative aspects of materialism and greed.

The enduring popularity of A Christmas Carol has ensured that the word "Scrooge" remains firmly entrenched in our vocabulary. These days, the word "Scrooge" is also used in a more lighthearted way, often to playfully describe someone who is reluctant to participate in holiday festivities or who is particularly averse to gift-giving. So, if ever you hear someone referring to you in such a way, maybe it is time to cheer up and join in the holiday spirit a bit.

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Yes, you can make eggnog all year round but let’s be honest: most of us don’t really drink the stuff outside of the Christmas season.

The exact origins of eggnog remain somewhat a mystery, but its roots can be traced back to medieval Europe. During this time, a drink called posset was popular. Over time, posset evolved, with eggs being added to the recipe. By the 17th century, it was further transformed by the addition of rum or brandy. This alcoholic version of the drink was known as "eggnog," a term derived from the word "noggin," a type of wooden mug that was commonly used to serve the beverage.

Today, eggnog remains a beloved Christmas tradition, enjoyed in various forms around the world. Some prefer sipping on the classic recipe with rum or brandy, while others opt for non-alcoholic versions.

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Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? This plant as a symbol has been popular for many centuries. Druids, Vikings, and many more have used it for different religious purposes and uses.

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe became a popular custom in England during the Victorian era, and it has since spread to many other countries around the world.

Today, mistletoe symbolizes love, fertility, and good luck. It is often hung in homes and doorways, and the act of kissing under the mistletoe is seen as a way to bring love and happiness in the new year.

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Whilst perhaps not a Christmas word per se, "tinsel" is a term so imbued into the whole seasonal experience that it is hard not to come across it when thinking of Christmas trees and decorations.

The word itself comes from the Old French word "estincele," meaning "sparkle" or "glitter." It was made from thin strips of silver or gold, often used to adorn fabrics, garments, and religious artifacts. By the 17th century, it became common practice to decorate Christmas trees with tinsel, adding a touch of glamour and sparkle to the traditional symbol. The brilliant strands of tinsel were often draped from the branches, creating an effect that enhanced the beauty of the tree.

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Have you ever heard of this one? Wassail is a word derived from the Old English phrase "waes hael," meaning "be in good health". Sort of like "cheers". It was initially used as a merry greeting and a way to wish someone well. By the Middle Ages, the term had evolved into a drinking toast, often associated with feasting and merrymaking, particularly during the winter months.

Medieval wassail was a mix of spiced ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and sugar, and it was considered an essential part of Christmas celebrations. Today, wassail remains a Christmas tradition, though it is often served as a warm, non-alcoholic beverage, still spiced with cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

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Aside from being the last name of a famous actress, garland is the word we use for those leafy crowns hanging on doors during Christmas time. The word itself stems from the Old French guirlande, meaning "a wreath or crown." In ancient Greece and Rome, garlands were used as symbols of victory, honor, and celebration. They were often made of flowers, leaves, or vines, and were worn on the heads of athletes, warriors, and esteemed citizens.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, garlands became popular as Christmas decorations, particularly in the United States and England.

Today, garlands are a staple of Christmas traditions, adding a touch of festive cheer and symbolism to homes around the world.