[BenTheElder]

Yes, the previous projects preceding Kubernetes have a history of being Star Trek references, specifically to the Borg [1].

As to Heptio’s name, Beda explained: “When we were helping create Kubernetes, we pitched it as ‘Seven of Nine,’ a ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ character who’s a former Borg drone. That was a reference to the Borg, a code name for Google’s internal version of Kubernetes, the thing that runs its search and apps and ads. It’s total geek culture. We wanted a friendlier Borg. That name turned into ‘Project Seven.’ When we went public with Kubernetes, we didn’t want to lose track of the ‘seven.’ The Kubernetes logo has seven sides. ‘Hept’ is the Greek prefix for ‘seven,’ and it’s a way to pull the ‘seven’ through.”

[1] http://www.geekwire.com/2016/ever-come-kooky-kubernetes-name...

[fnord123]

If they wanted to keep the reference to seven and make it relevant to containers they could have named it "whatsinthebox"