While talking to the country manager of Eastman Kodak Philippines the other week, he explained to me how the name Kodak isn't actually part of the name Eastman or a company partner. The name Kodak was coined because it was so easy to pronounce - by anyone wherever they may be.
In the same light, the Nintendo Wii was coined for exactly the same reason. Take note of the last paragraph in the Wii's philosophy.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
"Wii" also sounds like "wee", which shows that you can't always create a foolproof international name.
IKEA, for example, uses the names of Swedish towns for some of their furniture series. One of their best-selling children's beds is named after a small Swedish town that, unfortunately, sounds like a sexual German slang word.
Toyota's little sports car, the MR2, was renamed in France because its international name sounded like poo.
Posted by: Mark Moloney | June 4, 2006 11:51 PM | Permalink to Comment