Legendary Things That Could Have Been Named Differently

In today's world, we are surrounded by brands, and some of them have become so popular that their names are associated with specific things and phenomena.

In today's world, we are surrounded by brands, and some of them have become so popular that their names are associated with specific things and phenomena. Imagine if the names we are so accustomed to were different—perhaps something significant in their perception would have changed. In this article, we will talk about legendary things that could have been named differently but, due to various circumstances, received the names we know and love.

"Back to the Future" Could Have Been "Spaceman from Pluto"

One of the most famous film franchises, "Back to the Future," could have had a completely different name. Initially, Universal Pictures head Sid Sheinberg was against using the word "future" in the film's title, believing that movies with such a title do not pay off. Instead, he suggested the title "Spaceman from Pluto," which referred to Marty's jokes and the scene where he pretends to be an alien. Fortunately, the name was changed to the one that became a symbol of its time.

The Mozilla Firefox Browser Could Have Been Firebird

The name Firefox has become so ingrained in our everyday lives that it's hard to imagine this browser under a different name. However, initially, the developers wanted to name it Pheonix, but that name was already taken. They then came up with the idea to call it Firebird. In the end, Firefox became one of the most popular browsers, and its symbol has become recognizable to every internet user.

Mickey Mouse Could Have Been Mortimer

The legendary Disney character, Mickey Mouse, could have had a completely different name—Mortimer. Walt Disney insisted on this name for his famous mouse, but his wife, Lillian Bounds, persuaded him to change it to Mickey. Just imagine how different Mickey would be perceived if he were known as Mortimer Mouse.

The TV Show "Friends" Could Have Been Called "Six of One"

The hugely popular TV show "Friends" was initially going to be called "Six of One." However, the show's producers, David Crane and Marta Kauffman, decided that this title didn't sound as appealing as just "Friends." As we can see, this decision was the right one, as today, this series is known and loved all over the world.

Google Could Have Been Backrubb

Before it became Google, the famous search engine created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin was named Backrubb. Imagine if instead of "Googling," we were saying "Backrubbing." While Backrubb doesn't sound bad, Google became a more concise and recognizable brand.

Queen Could Have Been Smile

The legendary rock band Queen was initially called Smile until Freddie Mercury suggested a new name. According to him, the name Queen seemed more fitting, symbolizing the band's majesty and grandeur. And indeed, Queen became one of the most influential bands in music history.

Mr. Bean Could Have Been Mr. Cauliflower

The funny character Mr. Bean could have had a completely different name—Mr. Cauliflower. Initially, this name was considered a working title, but later it was replaced with the simpler and more memorable Mr. Bean.

Pepsi Could Have Been Brad's Drink

One of the most popular drinks in the world, Pepsi, was initially called "Brad's Drink" after its creator, Caleb Bradham. Later, the name was changed to Pepsi-Cola, referring to the Greek word for "digestion." Today we know this drink as Pepsi, but its history could have unfolded differently.

SpongeBob Could Have Been SpongeBoy

The beloved cartoon about SpongeBob SquarePants could have been named something else. Initially, the character was supposed to be named SpongeBoy, but due to copyright issues, that name was already taken. Thus, SpongeBob was created, known and loved by children and adults all over the world.

"The Lion King" Could Have Been "King of the Jungle"

The legendary Disney animated film "The Lion King" could have been named "King of the Jungle" if the creators hadn't realized that there were no jungles in the movie. Titles such as "King of the Beasts" and "King of the Kalahari" were also considered. However, "The Lion King" became the name that everyone knows.

Playboy Could Have Been Stag Party

The legendary magazine Playboy could have had a completely different name—Stag Party. However, shortly before the first issue's release, the creators received a notice about a copyright infringement on the name Stag. So they decided to rename the magazine Playboy, and this name became iconic.

These stories show how names can influence the perception and popularity of brands and products. Perhaps if these changes hadn't occurred, the world would look completely different.