[triceratops]

Rumors of an Apple iPhone have been around since at least 2002 (5 years before its release).[1]

Apple trademarked the name in Singapore and the UK that year.

Here's an NYT article from the same year using the name "iPhone"[2]

1. https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/timeline-apple-iphon...

2. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/19/business/apple-s-chief-in...