- Like Mortimer Mouse or Brad's Drink?
Do you know about these things that almost had a different name? What do you think will be on this list?
Pepsi-Cola — Brad’s Drink
When Caleb Bradham developed the drink that eventually became Pepsi, he originally called it Brad’s Drink, after himself. He renamed it Pepsi-Cola in 1898. The new name was associated with the digestive system and the drink’s intended image as something refreshing and beneficial to digestion.
Nintendo — Different Romanizations
Nintendo’s name itself wasn’t always written consistently in English-language contexts, but the more interesting story is that the company began in 1889 as a manufacturer of hanafuda playing cards, not video games. The modern company identity could hardly have been predicted from its original business. Nintendo’s eventual transformation makes its early name and purpose particularly easy to overlook. Did you know about this as things that almost had different names?
Star Wars — The Adventures of Starkiller
George Lucas’s early drafts of Star Wars centered on a character named Luke Starkiller. The surname appeared in multiple versions of the script before Lucas eventually changed it to Skywalker. The title and story also went through substantial changes before the movie became the version audiences know today.
Google — BackRub
Before Google became Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin called their search engine BackRub. The name referred to the system’s ability to analyze backlinks—the links pointing toward a webpage. They eventually decided the name didn’t work and moved toward “Google,” a play on “googol,” the mathematical term for an enormous number. Did you know about this as things that almost had different names?
Microsoft — Micro-Soft
When Bill Gates and Paul Allen were building their company, they used the name Micro-Soft, combining “microcomputer” and “software.” The hyphen was eventually removed, producing Microsoft. The original spelling makes the name look surprisingly primitive compared with the enormous technology company it eventually became.
Nintendo’s Game Boy — Dot Matrix Game
Nintendo’s Game Boy wasn’t always destined to have that name. Early development centered on a handheld system internally known as the Dot Matrix Game, reflecting its display technology. The final name was much simpler and helped establish the product as a distinct gaming platform rather than merely another electronic gadget. Did you know about this as things that almost had different names?
The Beatles — Long Before They Were the Beatles
The Beatles went through numerous names during their early years, including The Quarrymen, Johnny and the Moondogs, and The Silver Beatles. The eventual name was a deliberate pun combining “beat” music with “beetles.” It was not simply the inevitable name of a band destined for worldwide fame; it emerged after years of experimentation.
Mickey Mouse — Mortimer Mouse
Walt Disney initially considered naming his famous mouse Mortimer Mouse. Disney’s wife, Lillian, reportedly disliked the name and suggested Mickey instead. Disney adopted the suggestion, and “Mickey Mouse” became one of the most recognizable character names in entertainment. “Mortimer Mouse” would have produced a remarkably different cultural legacy.
Which things that almost had different names surprised you most? If you have something to add to the list, share it in the comments!