How Java got its name?

Filed in archive Basics on September 2, 2007

We all must be aware that Java is a programming language which was given birth by Sun but how many of us know how Java got its name? I think probably very few. So let me tell you how Java got its present name. James Gosling who is credited with the invention of Java initially wanted to go with the name oak but it was crossed down by trademark lawyers. Even if I would have been in the place of the lawyers I too would have done the same thing. After troubling their grey cells for a while they got in touch with a naming consultant since the company neither had the money nor time for conventional product naming process, after all it were the initial days.




One afternoon the consultant was called up and all of them locked themselves up in a room for the meeting. As we know how these consultant guys operate he ended up putting up several questions to Gosling and his team with questions such as How does this thing make you feel?, What else makes you feel that way? etc etc. After this sorting was conducted where the names were ranked and around a dozen names were chosen and sent to the lawyers for their approval. Java which was fourth on the list was given the green signal. The name Silk was on top of the list but Gosling hated it and even I too didn't like it since it gave a feminine feel but Gosling was more interested in the name Lyric ( I found it to be a mismatch) but fortunately it couldn't pass the lawyers net and from the list of names selected it is said that Mark Opperman yelled the name first and probably he is the man who can be technically credited for the name of this popular programming language. It's good that these people settled for such a refreshing name and it's said that going according to plans always does not work and sometimes just simple thoughts can do the trick.

I would like to thank Jonathan Schwartz and James Gosling for this wonderful piece of information.