Memmy Poll - Gauging Community Feedback on Rebranding - Give Us Suggestions!
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.
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!
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.
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?
I definitely like the idea of sticking with space themed names as well. Considering Memmy is built taking a lot of inspiration from the Apollo app, it would make a lot of sense to stick with any of those names.
I prefer Gemini the most. Orion and Atlantis are great as well.
EDIT: Looks like Gemini is tied to some legal issues regarding crypto. Perhaps Atlantis, Mercury, Orbit or Orion would be better options
I liked it too until someone mentioned it’s the name of a crypto exchange (and therefore probably associated app) that is currently going through some bad shit.
I loved that it was space themed and also since gemini was the first mission rendezvous two craft in orbit it’s kind of a metaphorical nod to early federation.
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.
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.
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
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.
I agree with the name change. I don’t like Badger though, probably mainly due to associations with badgers.
SuggestionsArgonaut: 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.
Big fan of the new logo! I would support a name change. Space theme would be nice. Suggestions: Nexus, Stellar, Artemis, Helios, Odyssey, Rover, Webb, Asteroid, Frontier.
I offer Edera - federal but take the F and L off. It's not a real word, it's unique (apart from a random restaurant on googling), it's represents the idea of being a part of the federiverse/literally it's part of federal but without being platform specific. it sounds nice, it sounds a bit like idea and dear, and era which can all be positive words, It's reasonably easy to spell.
I'd pronounce it E-dearer from the way it's written.
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
Since everything runs on the ActivityPub around here, how about Pub Crawler? Makes sense if you later incorporate Kbin, Mastodon, etc. and who doesn’t like a good pub crawl?
OK everyone is liking the space theme but sometimes it is also good to take a step back and not fixate too much on one topic. I have to come up with album titles and track names a lot, so here are some random ideas:
+1 for something space themed simply as an homage to Apollo. However both Orbit and Orion seem to be heavily used on the App Store from a quick peak. Although maybe that isn’t a big deal?
I didn’t actually use Apollo for Reddit but I’m aware of the similarities between it and Memmy (I missed out lol). I think in a perfect world it would be pretty dope if we could get consent from the Apollo dev to use their name and bring their legacy forward through the fediverse. But I know that may just be a pipe-dream.
I like the space theme, but I think “Memmy” is a vessel to go between galaxies and planets in the fediverse. To keep with that, I would name it after a space craft or something. Perhaps Voyager?
Something along the lines of “Luna” or Lunar” would fit well because of the inspiration from the Apollo app, and the fact that our moon is a satellite. The satellite metaphor could tie into supporting the broader fediverse while the app itself is the satellite. I also like other space related names like Orbit, Portal, or Transport.
I’m probably going against popular opinion here, but I think Badger isn’t bad. And as much as I love space and missions into space, I’m a bit tired of it for the moment.
Something invoking nature would be nice, whether that he something involving animals or natural community of some kind. In keeping with the mouse theme, how about Muro (short for the rodent superfamily name Muroidea)?
Name change makes sense but if it can add any value to the discussion the reason I’m on Memmy is like you said I searched for “Lemmy” to see if any apps were made. You may want to add something in the description of the app or whatever that still makes it clear to those searching the App Store that this is ultimately what they’re looking for
And definitely agreeing with the space themed names over Badger
agree with changing the name, not too fond of Badger (too similar to Beaver in my mind). Too early for my brain to function , but will try to come up with some suggestions and post later - thanks for involving the community in this though process
Memmy is fine and all and serves a short term goal of getting interest, but I can see why a name change is better for long term viability. I do not like Badger, though.
Someone else suggested Dragonfly, which I really like. Other possibilities along that line could be:
Firefly, as in the show. Also good as a metaphor for lighting our way in the darkness.
Mantis, since we're consuming the remains of Reddit. Although maybe that's also a bit short-term.
I totally agree with all the points you made here. I think coming up with a name that could encompass a-lot of potential fediverse things that dont even exist yet and this is the time to do it before you get much bigger. Badger doesn't feel right to me. One thing I do like with the memmy name is the association with 'meme' so even shortening the name to Mem might work
For continuing the Greek theme Im a fan of either Orion or Helios but I think because it’s a new platform going for a name of a manned space shuttle could be a cool new theme like Mercury, Atlantis or Challenger could work
I also agree with the space / exploration idea as far as names go. Badger is another word for annoying or ‘to pester’ and I think as a name it would put people off and we’d just end up back here again.
If the intent is to make it more fediverse aligned, maybe incorporate that into it.
Feddi
Feddr (for that naughts dating app vibe)
Freddi
Foyager
I would recommend steering away from all the space/mythology/nerd nomenclature. It will just needlessly alienate a bunch of people who are already skeptical about how tech/nerd focused Lemmy/Fediverse is.
If it wasn’t trademarked by the BBC I would definitely opt for TARDIS, the hybrid of time machine and spacecraft. I am no lawyer, so I cannot tell if this is a possibility after all.
However, it ticks so many boxes:
Reference to space → Fediverse
Reference to timeline(s) → Mastodont
Bigger on the inside → Lemmy
Tribute to a crazy fun SF series
Cool icon
I personally have a weakness for a reference to pop culture (e.g., like the programming language Python is a tribute to the British comedy group Monty Python).
To be safe, we might use an anagram instead: DARTIS. As a bonus we will have a nice story behind the name.
Also, while TARDIS is an acronym for “Time And Relative Dimension In Space”, DARTIS stands for “Dimension And Relative Time In Space”, which obviously makes perfect sense.