What’s in a Name?
I need your help.
Branding a project is among the most important actions a project manager can do. It gives the product a personality, and creates a culture where there was none. If conceived before major work is done, a brand name can define the trajectory of the project. This is a mixed blessing, however. I’ve seen too many products that were inspired by an imaginative name rather than an innovative idea. On the other hand, if conceived after major work is done, a brand name must define a hitherto nameless product, a product with an already evolved and mature personality. Naming such a project is almost an act of hubris.
This is my dilemma. The software that drives the Mozilla Digital Memory Bank needs a name. Basically it is an online repository for digital material. It was designed specifically to drive the Center’s line of Digital Memory Banks, projects that collect, present, and preserve testimonials and files from online users. However, it uses a generalized approach to collecting and storing data and metadata, meaning it can be adapted to the particular needs of almost any online collecting project. It is the younger, more streamlined sibling of ADAM, the Center’s first digital archiving software. There are more details, such as geolocation, categories, and a powerful administrative interface, but I’m sure you get the picture.
Unfortunately I did not have the foresight to name this product before or during development, and I am having trouble coming up with a suitable name. Considering my description of the software and your experience with the Mozilla Digital Memory Bank, what would YOU name this product?
I appreciate your input.
~ Jim Safley
12 Comments
Dumbo like the elephant
From the web: ‘An elephant never forgets’ is a saying, so if a person has a memory like an elephant, he or she has a very good memory indeed.
Well, since it’s software that stores information for a bank, the first thing that came into my mind was a vault. So you could try something along those lines like Vault Keeper, or something more philosophical like Vaultaire…
But then again, I’m not very creative. Maybe someone else can extend my initial thought.
What about simple Memozilla?
Adam: I think the godzilla people get a bit bitchy about *zilla stuff :s
Expanding on Christopher’s idea of vault, the Hades guard dog Cerberus might be suitable.
Considering that the project has a lot to do with information and knowledge, and also going along with the Mozilla naming trend of using mythical creatures, how about Griffin (or Gryffin, Gryps, or whatever variation of the name)? From what I read in books and such, Griffin represents knowledge and bravery/courge.
Argggl, Adam Hauner was helped by time zones : I was about to suggest Memozilla too.
How about something that relates to libraries? How about Alexandria or some play on that?
How about MoMem, to go along with MoCo and MoFo?
…Or just go for a name that makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever because that’s what a lot of companies these days are doing that are based on the Internet, in particular. It’s like with car registration plates, as soon as we were allowed to customise them people took all the good plates, now you see all sorts and have to utilise your imagination to work out what it says…often coming to errorenous deductions but nevertheless humourous.
What have you called it? I like MoFo (what Sohail Mirza said)
How about something that relates to libraries?
How about Vault Guardian?