Why do we name something? Is there meaning in it? Is it public or private? Known or unknown? An inside joke? A secret? A code name?

The traditional way of naming releases for software was simply to have a nice, long string of numbers to name:

• major changes
• minor changes
• maintenance changes
• builds
• developments

The more modern way is to give it a real name. Sometimes they even appear in alphabetically order.

Some companies have named their products, services and even their organization after:

• their address
• fictional characters
• large felines
• a long night at the bar
• predatory fish
• a person’s name
• optical instruments
• pets
• sugary goods
• a thought pattern
• a workflow

When you ask why something has a particular name, what reasons do you hear?

What does it mean to you or someone else?