When SQL was established in the early 70s, it was called SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language). However, due to a copyright issue, it was changed it to SQL. In fact, SQL is typically pronounced “sequel” today, but some favor the non-acronym pronunciation of “ess-cue-el” (in case you didn’t know, an acronym is an abbreviation you can pronounce like a word, e.g. SQL or ANSI).
Read more at the ANSI Blog: The SQL Standard – ISO/IEC 9075:2016 (ANSI X3.135) https://blog.ansi.org/?p=158690