[gd2]

Right, is this name for this product a sign that Google is becoming more human, and less engineering extreme sports minded?

[Fennhella]

I think you're reading too much into it (If you're being serious).

Doubt it had any other meaning other than the team just having fun making a quip at the Boaty Mcboatface poll for a ship's name.

[gd2]

Yes, I was being playful with language, rather than straight serious. But this topic invites that.

[kirykl]

This is from research not production, researchers in my experience are usually up for this type of fun

[matt4077]

I'm pretty sure the borders between the two are fluid at google.

I also wish middle management were a bit less afraid of such things. You can usually get cool ideas approved in the higher echolons (because a CEO doesn't have to fear too much, or possibly because these people actually are more imaginative).

Names that have meaning, tell a story are incredibly useful for marketing, even if they sometimes sound unprofessional. Exp: 'Plan B' (morning after pill), 'CockroachDB', 'Virgin'.

It's beyond me how anyone could have chosen the predictable public outcry instead of naming that boat Boaty McBoatface. That's probably the least offending name that ever resulted from an internet poll.

[kirykl]

Interesting, this could explain internal acronym products/services. Middle management is the decision maker. Helpy McHelpdesk vs ITHD

[userbinator]

Acronyms develop more because they're concise and so easier to say and use to those who know what it means.

If Helpy McHelpdesk got into widespread use, it'd probably soon become more referred to as the HMH.

[Hannan]

>> That's probably the least offending name that ever resulted from an internet poll.

Indeed. e.g. http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/dub-the-dew