Nvidia is a company that breaks the mold when it comes to naming conventions. With an abstract name full of consonants, it goes against the trend of simple, straightforward brand names used by many other major corporations. The name Nvidia is derived from the Latin word “invidia,” meaning “envy,” which ties into the company’s mission to create powerful graphics chips that rival and surpass competitors.
The name was chosen after the founders, Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem, failed to come up with a title for their company over a cup of coffee at a Denny’s in Palo Alto. They initially settled on NVision before discovering that the name was already trademarked. After eliminating words with “NV,” they settled on Nvidia, drawing inspiration from the Roman goddess of envy, Invidia.
This association with envy is evident in Nvidia’s products and branding. With the motto “green with envy” for its eighth-generation graphics processing units, the company’s logo, a spiraling green eye, may have been inspired by the evil eye associated with Invidia. The motif of envy serves as a reminder of Nvidia’s goal to outperform and outshine its competitors in the tech industry.
Despite its unconventional name and branding, Nvidia’s success is undeniable. With a market capitalization of $3.1 trillion and a dominant position in the AI chip market, Nvidia’s growth and influence continue to expand. CEO Jensen Huang’s strategy of fostering competition and drive among employees has contributed to the company’s ongoing success, making Nvidia a force to be reckoned with in the technology sector.
As Nvidia continues to thrive, its name and branding will remain a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence in the ever-evolving tech industry.
Article Source
https://fortune.com/2024/06/21/how-do-you-pronounce-nvidia-jensen-huang-origin-invidia-mythology/