this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2023
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Memmy - An iOS client for Lemmy

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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 79 points 1 year ago (14 children)

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 41 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] Baaron87@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year 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 30 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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!

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[–] jw00t@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

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

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[–] eximo@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] Baaron87@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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

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[–] nitefox@lemmy.world 67 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] gkd@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago
[–] anon_water@lemmy.ml 45 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

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

My suggestion: Athena

[–] gkd@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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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[–] chrisphero@lemmy.world 39 points 1 year ago (16 children)

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 37 points 1 year ago

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

[–] ebits21@lemmy.ca 29 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

+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 1 year ago

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

[–] bcrab@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

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

[–] TekAzurik@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

Ooo I like Orbit!

[–] HangingFruit@czech-lemmy.eu 13 points 1 year ago

Orbit is what I like most in this post.

[–] TeryVeneno@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

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

[–] nitefox@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

+1 for orbit

[–] DuckGuy@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 year ago

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

[–] braydrunner@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

Orbit rocks

[–] playxdestroy@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago

I love the name Orbit

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

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[–] Richard@lemmy.world 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

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 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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 7 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Cotillion189@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year 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 Iced Cubes or Apollo(rip).

[–] novibe@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Tandybaum@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And Mr. Mercury was a pretty cool dude

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[–] C4d@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

Branding is tricky but once you find the right name you’ll just know it’s the right name.

I’ve been to this page too many times for project name ideas… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_knowledge_deities

[–] ak98@lemm.ee 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Apollo? Jk, not sure on a name but I agree with the need to plan for the future and the importance of the branding for the fediverse to grow

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[–] alienamp@startrek.website 12 points 1 year ago

From names being thrown around my favourite is definitely Traverse.

[–] lackthought@lemmy.sdf.org 11 points 1 year 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

[–] vos@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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.

[–] unagi@feddit.nl 9 points 1 year ago (4 children)

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.

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[–] BananaTrifleViolin@kbin.social 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I don't like Badger - seems too random.

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.

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[–] Sev@feddit.uk 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

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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[–] CthuluVoIP@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year 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.

[–] maegul@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

Yea Badger seems good but not great. My two cents.

[–] ebits21@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Luna?

Just looking at other moon missions besides Apollo.

Edit: I think Orbit is actually my fave now.

[–] fernfrost@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year 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

[–] phario@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

My only input is to remember that most people will then search for “name + Lemmy” or whatever.

Memmy is a bit of an awkward name, I agree.

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