How Famous Brands Got Their Names (And When)
We find out how famous companies got their names & the stories behind them.
By Sadho Ram
COCA-COLA, 1892: The name is derived from the Coca leaves and Kola nuts used as flavouring. The 'K' of Kola was changed to 'C' to name look better.
The name is derived from the Coca leaves and Kola nuts used as flavoring. The 'K' of Kola was changed to 'C' to name look better. It was founded in 1892.
Image via ruralaccents.comNINTENDO, 1889: Transliteration of the company's Japanese name, Nintendou. The first (NIN) can be translated as to "Entrusted"; Ten-dou means "Heaven".
Transliteration of the company's Japanese name, Nintendou. The first (NIN) can be translated as to "Entrusted"; Ten-dou means "Heaven".
Image via wordpress.comIKEA, 1943: A composite of the first letters in the Swedish founder Ingvar Kamprad's name, plus the first letters of the names of the property and the village in which he grew up - Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.
A composite of the first letters in the Swedish founder Ingvar Kamprad's name, plus the first letters of the names of the property and the village in which he grew up - Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.
Image via guim.co.ukSTARBUCKS, 1971: Starbucks was named after Starbuck, a character in Herman Melville's Novel Moby-Dick.
Starbucks was named after Starbuck, a character in Herman Melville's Novel Moby-Dick.
Image via freewallpepper.com
NOKIA, 1865: Started as a wood-pulp mill, the company expanded into producing rubber products in the Finnish city of the Nokia.
Started as a wood-pulp mill, the company expanded into producing rubber products in the Finnish city of the Nokia.
Image via biznes.net
SHARP, 1912: Sharp takes its name from one of its founder's first inventions, the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil
SHARP, date it was founded: It was founded in September 1912 and takes its name from one of its founder's first inventions, the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil
Image via bloomberg.comADOBE, 1982: The name Adobe came from the Adobe creek that ran behind the house of the co-founder John Warnock.
The name Adobe came from the Adobe creek that ran behind the house of the co-founder John Warnock. It was founded in 1982
Image via cloudtimes.orgCANON, 1937: Canon was named after the company's first camera, the Kwanon and changed to Canon in 1935.
CANON, date it was founded: Canon was named after the company's first camera, the Kwanon and changed to Canon in 1935.
Image via wordpress.comSONY, 1946: Sony's name ame from the latin word 'Sonus' meaning sound, and 'Sonny', a slang word used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.
SONY, 1946: Sony's name ame from the latin word 'Sonus' meaning sound, and 'Sonny', a slang word used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.
Image via androidguys.comADIDAS, 1949: The name was taken from its founder Adolf (ADI) Dassler (DAS).
It was founded in 1949. The name was taken from its founder Adolf (ADI) Dassler (DAS).
Image via turbosquid.com7 ELEVEN, 1927: 7 Eleven was renamed from "U-TOTE'M" in 1946 to reflect their newly extended hours, 7:00am until 11:00pm.
7 Eleven was renamed from "U-TOTE'M" in 1946 to reflect their newly extended hours, 7:00am until 11:00pm. It was founded in 1927
Image via businessweek.comREEBOK,1895: Reebok comes from the Afrikaans spelling of Rhebok, a type of African antelope.
REEBOK, date it was founded: Reebok comes from the Afrikaans spelling of Rhebok, a type of African antelope and it was founded in 1895.
Image via bestfreejobs.comSKYPE, 2003: The original concept was Sky Peer-to-Peer, which morphed into Skyper, then Skype.
SKYPE, date it was founded: Skype was first released in August 2003. The original concept was Sky Peer-to-Peer, which morphed into Skyper, then Skype.
Image via wordpress.comNISSAN, 1933: The name 'Nissan' is an abbreviation. Earlier it was know by the name Nippon Sangyo.
NISSAN, date it was founded: The company was earlier know by the name Nippon Sangyo which means, "Japan Industries". "The name 'Nissan' originated during the 1930s as an abbreviation"
Image via wordpress.comIBM, 1911: In order to one-up his former employers (National Cash Register), Tom Watson Sr called his company 'International Business Machines'.
In order to one-up his former employers (National Cash Register), Tom Watson Sr called his company 'International Business Machines'. IBM was founded in 1911.
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