One of the biggest challenges of setting up a new business is coming up with a name that will catch the public’s attention in a positive way. In this article by Glen Stansberry at American Express OPEN Forum, readers can learn how 16 major companies came up with their names. Here’s a sample:
2. Hotmail
Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith had the idea of checking their e-mail on a web interface, and tried to find a name that ended in “mail.” They finally settled on “hotmail” because it contained the letters html, referencing the HTML programming language used to help create the product.
6. Cisco
Contrary to popular belief and theories, Cisco is simply short for San Francisco. Its logo resembles the suspension cables found on the Golden Gate bridge.
8. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s name comes from the the coca leaves and kola nuts used as flavoring in the soft drink. Eventually Coca-Cola creator John S. Pemberton changed the K of kola to C to create a more fluid name.