Memmy Poll - Gauging Community Feedback on Rebranding - Give Us Suggestions! (lemmy.ml)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by gkd@lemmy.ml to c/memmy@lemmy.ml

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Edit: Want to make this a sugestion thread, so please let us know your ideas on themes or names below.

Howdy all!

We have been internally discussing a rebranding of Memmy to another name. This has been a discussion for some time, and although we have certainly tried to see the upsides of not rebranding, we don't think this is a viable long-term option, for - among others - the following reasons:

Eventual support for non-Lemmy services such as Kbin or Mastodon
User awareness of Lemmy. Right now, the vast majority of people who are finding the app most likely are specifically searching for "Lemmy". While that's great and (based on trends on downloads/day) shows that there's obviously a big demand for Lemmy, we think this might not be the best way to grow - not just for ourselves but for Lemmy as a whole. We want the fediverse to grow and the best way to do that is to make it acceptable and easy to access without specifically targeting people who already know about Lemmy
Community feedback in general about the name. None of this is taken personal or anything, but there's definitely negative feedback for multiple reasons about it, and honestly I think we agree with most - if not all - of that feedback.

Like I said, this is not something that we are doing lightly and we want to make sure we make the right choice before moving forward.

Mind you, we are not talking about a short-term goal here of supporting multiple Fediverse platforms. That probably isn't even in the one-year plan if I'm being honest. But I personally believe the way that we make the Fediverse work is by making the whole experience awesome, and that means offering users with options and ease-of-use.

So, with that said, we want to see what you guys think. We have had internal discussion about the possibility of using the name Badger, and while we all think that's a pretty good option, we are not 100% sold and want to gauge feedback before we do anything. Edit: It seems like that might not be something the community is interested in, so we likely won't be going that route.

Please drop your suggestions for themes or names below! We will go through them all sometime later in the day.

Let us know your thoughts!

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[-] xpx@lemm.ee 47 points 11 months ago

A space themed name to match the new icons might be nice? Maybe something like a space craft name like Gemini, Orion or Atlantis.

[-] Dickarus@lemmy.world 30 points 11 months ago

Definitely not Gemini. Don’t want to be confused with the crypto exchange that’s going through deep legal troubles.

[-] Baaron87@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

I don’t follow crypto stuff, so that’s news to me. Atlantis, Mercury, Orbit and Orion are still great choices

[-] ak98@lemm.ee 15 points 11 months ago

I like Atlantis, has a double meaning as both a spacecraft and also that story of the lost underwater utopia (kinda like what lemmy feels like haha). Would make for some nice community icons too!

[-] enu@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago

Really like this one! Plus it’s a fantastic legend in and of itself. 100% agree that the icon options for it would awesome and you could have several Atlantis / ocean feeling themes to go with it.

There also doesn’t appear to be an app in the App Store with the “Atlantis” as a single word.

[-] Carnelian@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

Atlantis has a super majestic ring to it in the sense of the legend, but I can also see it as the name for a tacky casino. I think they could make it work though.

After reading the whole thread, I agree that the space/mythology theme is being hammered really hard by the community currently (Voyager, Liftoff, Artemis). Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I really like the suggestion of using “Orbit”, other than it being a brand of gum lol.

Would be cool and unique to go with the ocean themed thing instead, like Atlantis. If Archipelago were a shorter word I’d like the idea of using it a lot: many islands forming a single whole, like the various instances and services come together to form the fediverse.

Armada, like a bunch of boats? Rolls off the tongue, but it’s too aggressive. Naming stuff is hard lol.

Anyway sorry for rambling, Atlantis is the best I’ve seen so far. It has this vibe like you’ve discovered something legendary, which fits this app really well

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[-] jw00t@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago

While I like the ideas for space-themed names, I’d like to propose the name Hermes instead. Looking into the history and definition of the name we find Hermes to be “…the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orators.” Also, “He is able to move quickly and freely between the worlds…” To me, this aligns with the intended direction of Memmy’s development - an app that’s used by a diverse audience, and an app able to participate in many “worlds” throughout the Fediverse. Thoughts?

[-] Infernal_pizza@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

It was also the name of a shit courier in the UK until they changed their name to Evri recently

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[-] nitefox@lemmy.world 42 points 11 months ago

No for badger

[-] gkd@lemmy.ml 4 points 11 months ago

Thanks!

[-] chrisphero@lemmy.world 32 points 11 months ago

Totally agree with the name change!

Unfortunately I’m not too fond of Badger…

I really like the space theme, so maybe something like:

solar
orbit
calipso
euclid
helios
(alpha) centauri

[-] Orbiht@lemm.ee 28 points 11 months ago

Orbit would be cool, but I’m a little biased.

[-] ebits21@lemmy.ca 21 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

+1 for Orbit as well.

Space themed. Sounds like you can move around the fediverse (is a verb), maybe relevant if you’re not just connected to Lemmy in the future and can move around between services. Apollo inspired. Sounds fun.

A lot of space names sound nerdy but Orbit sounds appealing to non nerds.

[-] atomWood@lemm.ee 6 points 11 months ago

I completely agree. Being able to travel through the fediverse sounds fun.

[-] bcrab@lemmy.world 15 points 11 months ago

I like Orbit. Makes sense in context of the fediverse, too

[-] HangingFruit@czech-lemmy.eu 10 points 11 months ago

Orbit is what I like most in this post.

[-] braydrunner@lemm.ee 9 points 11 months ago

Orbit rocks

[-] DuckGuy@lemmy.zip 9 points 11 months ago

I really like Orbit and Solar. (Anything but Badger.)

[-] nitefox@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

+1 for orbit

[-] TekAzurik@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

Ooo I like Orbit!

[-] TeryVeneno@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 months ago

I also vote for orbit. I think the Greek god naming is very overdone at this point.

[-] playxdestroy@lemmy.ml 6 points 11 months ago

I love the name Orbit

[-] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Another vote for Orbit. It even works with the current icon.

[-] murphys_lawyer@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

love orbit!

[-] crossover@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

Another +1 for “Orbit”

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[-] anon_water@lemmy.ml 26 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I’m ok with rebranding. I don’t like “Badger” though. Any other options?

My suggestion: Athena

[-] gkd@lemmy.ml 4 points 11 months ago

Nothing is set in stone at all! Whole reason for the thread.

That was just a discussion. Maybe I should update the thread to mention that we’d like for feedback on possible names.

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[-] Richard@lemmy.world 18 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I think a name change is a good idea. Not nuts on badger as a name, but don’t have a better suggestion on hand. As some thoughts though:

I wouldn’t use the word “fedi” in the name as has been floated in places, as I think Fediverse itselfs a pretty bad name, and ideally a term users won’t have to think about when using the services.
Make sure whatever you pick works well for any global markets you want to go into. Some projects pick something that sounds cool locally but has some negative meaning somewhere else
I’m not against the space (or gods) theme, but I do think it’s being played out a bit heavily right now across many apps and maybe there’s another route to go. Voyager and “Lift Off” spring to mind as good apps playing with the space theme. Apollo as an app is front and centre in everyone’s mind right now, especially iOS users, and apps are drawing inspiration from it for their Lemmy apps. That’s a good thing, but I do think that branding is one area where perhaps apps have an opportunity to carve out their own identity and I’d think long and hard about naming an app as a distant tribute to Apollo, given that’ll probably tie the apps legacy to that and Reddit in general for some time. Again, I don’t hate space (or god) names, but I think there’s tremendous benefits in looking more broadly.
And hey, while he’s seemingly not sold on the idea currently, Christian could very well release “Apollo for Lemmy” one day when he’s ready and he’s had time to distance himself from the events, so Memmy having rebranded to something that draws too much inspiration could taint the impressions of some users.

Just my thoughts anyway.

[-] 4am@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago

People who don’t know what the “fediverse” is react VERY negatively to that word.

I love that we have it but it needs a better description than a meme that was obviously made up to be tongue-in-cheek cutesy-cringe and stuck. It may be this place’s most Reddit-brained pre-migration aspect lol

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[-] altima_neo@lemmy.zip 6 points 11 months ago

Yeah I don't like the fediverse name either. Say first I was confused, kept thinking they meant frederator or something.

[-] novibe@lemmy.ml 14 points 11 months ago

I suggest Mercury. It’s the Roman version of Hermes, the messenger god, who “connected” all gods and their realms. It’s also a planet that goes VERY fast.

So two cool things.

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[-] vos@lemmy.world 12 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I agree with the name change. I don’t like Badger though, probably mainly due to associations with badgers.

Suggestions Argonaut: a person in quest of something dangerous but rewarding; adventurer. Obviously related to mythology (Jason & The Argonauts), but not overdone like the deities. Generally a clear unique name that signifies the “adventure” that is the fediverse. Also flexible in terms of mascots and app icons.

Dragonfly: planned spacecraft and NASA mission to the largest moon of Saturn (in line with the current icon). I generally like the space theme.

Pioneer: name of various space missions. Also relates to the general aim of the app to lead or significantly contribute to the growth of a (to most people) novel area of the internet (i.e. the fediverse).

Traverse: already the name of one of the tabs in the app and I kinda like it. It’s simple and it signifies travelling across the fediverse.

Hermes / Mercury: as mentioned in another comment, Greek/Roman deity able to travel between worlds (which relates to “travelling” across the fediverse). The whole deities theme is a bit overdone though.

Mallory: name of the mountaineer who participated in the first three (British) Mount Everest expeditions (and maybe the first to reach the top, but this is controversial as he never returned from his last trip). A pioneer in his own field. Also the name of the character Dr. Mallory in the series Space Force.

General tips Whether you go with one of the suggestions or not, I think it is important to pick a somewhat abstract name so people can form associations with it without be hindered by strong existing associations (which is the problem with Badger I think). Furthermore, pick something that is in line with the goal of the app/team, so it resonates with the team and early adopters.

Obvious tips Google a name and look on the app store before picking one (for example, I know ‘Orion’ is already the name of an upcoming browser).

Pick a name that is “phonetic”, so people potentially hearing it on a podcast can easily look for it.

[-] alienamp@startrek.website 12 points 11 months ago

From names being thrown around my favourite is definitely Traverse.

[-] Cotillion189@lemmy.world 11 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I agree with your decision for name change. Memmy sounds a bit childish. (Although i love your constant updates and improvements with this app) As for Badger. You already have Privacy Badger, so some might get confused. Name needs to be catchy same as app icon. Like Ice Cubes or Apollo(rip).

[-] lackthought@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 11 months ago

I thought Memmy was fine, don't like Badger at all

of the suggestions already posted I think these are my favorite: Mercury, Orbit, Helios

[-] CthuluVoIP@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago

I like both Orbit and Helios. I’m fine with Memmy, but understand the intent.

Honestly, “Orbit: A Fediverse Client” kinda has a nice ring to it.

[-] Sev@feddit.uk 6 points 11 months ago

Tbh i would stop using the app if it was called badger, badgers are massive cunts here in the UK XD

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[-] fernfrost@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

As I like the name Memmy I understand your thoughts.

Memmy is a inviting, friendly, cute name. For a concept like the fediverse which can be intimidating for casual users I find that a good thing. I still dislike the name 'Mastodon’ because it seems heavy and complicated to me.

In terms of discoverability you can always consider naming it

APPNAME - Fediverse client for Lemmy, Kbin, Mastodon