What's in a name? Quite a lot, actually, if you're a new company looking to build brand recognition among your audience. In fact, one rather peculiar trend for a number of tech-based companies is to name themselves after food- specifically food.
We're not kidding- the number of companies that have chosen food-based names for themselves suggests that this isn't just a one-off, and that there may be some psychology behind the decision. After all, industry-disrupting tech products or services can often be met with some confusion or skepticism from those who don't understand how they work, and it's important not to scare these potential clients off with a futuristic, techy-sounding name, opting instead for something that is easily identifiable, relatable, and wholesome. And what could be easier to identify than our favorite foods?
Here are five companies who chose the food route when coming up with a catchy, memorable name.
Apple
What kind of food-based company list would this be if we left off the granddaddy of them all? Founded in 1976 as Apple Computers, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak forever revolutionized the concept of home computing. From the groundbreaking Apple I, which was the first computer to come already assembled and ready for use with no building required on the user's part- to the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch that have redefined the way we use mobile technology, Apple has always been on the cutting edge of computing and remains a beloved and wildly successful company to this day.
...But why "Apple?" According to Wozniak, Steve Jobs felt it was important to make their products friendly and relatable to customers, many of whom had zero experience with computers. Additionally, Jobs felt that a simple name like Apple would be easier to remember than the hyper-technical names other electronics companies were using in that era. It also was a nod to one of only two things noted "foodarian" Jobs was eating at the time- apples and carrots. Just think- in an alternate universe, you could be using your Carrot iPhone to read this right now!
Lime
Zooming right along, we've got the innovators at Lime, who encourage users to "Rethink Your Ride." This niche micro-mobility company sought to fill an unmet need for urban commuters in busy, high-traffic areas while helping to save the planet by reducing carbon emissions. In their ongoing mission to provide all communities access to smart, affordable mobility, Lime distributes shared electric scooters, bikes, and transit vehicles throughout participating cities in an effort to reduce dependence on cars for short-distance travel.
Named after their signature lime-green color, Lime scooters, bikes, and transit vehicles stand out against their competitors by being easy to spot and recognize. Throughout the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lime vehicles have been an ideal way for people to travel throughout their communities in a safe, socially-distanced way that minimizes personal risk.
Olive
Do you know what MBI is? The people at Olive sure do, and they can help you save a bundle on car repairs with it! With just the click of a button, Olive customers can answer a few basic questions and get hooked up with mechanical breakdown insurance that acts as an extended car warranty, all for a low monthly payment. By choosing to open a mechanical breakdown insurance policy with Olive, customers can have peace of mind that any major or minor repairs, even those caused by normal wear and tear, are covered! With an A+ rating from Standard & Poor and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, people who choose an extended car warranty with Olive can be sure they're doing business with a reputable, well-respected insurance company.
Not only does the "bite-size" insurance policies offered by Olive bring a certain martini garnish to mind, but the distinctive, offbeat name also allows the company to use its punny, memorable slogan- "Cover it. Olive it." Get it?
MangoMaps
Looking to put your company on the map? Mango helps you make amazing interactive web maps that are as visually stunning as they are informative. Users can create fully-featured web maps detailing aspects of local government, demographic data, business analysis, land use and planning, and so much more- all without writing a single line of code.
For small-to-medium companies who wish to remain competitive with larger corporations without spending a fortune, Mango offers an incredible value. Optimized for security and speed, Mango's cloud infrastructure puts data at users' fingertips in beautiful, easy-to-follow maps quickly and reliably.
No word on why or how MangoMaps got its name, but it's certainly changing the face of business intelligence, one map at a time!
Next time you hear about a company that's named after food remember that it may very well be because of how likely you are to remember it!
