They say change is inevitable and in some instances, it is needed. When it comes to companies, a change is often seen as a way for the company to reinvent itself and align itself with technological advancement or evolving market trends. However, that is not always the case–some companies make the decision to change their names for specific reasons, and sometimes, this simple change can redefine the company’s identity and even propel it to the top.
So, it’s safe to say that company names play a huge role with regards to marketing and branding, which is why this list is looking at some companies that made that name change happen.
1. Before: Blue Ribbon Sports – Now: Nike
Nike is one of the leading activewear brands but did you know it started out with two people selling shoes out of their car? Yes, despite being a huge brand today, Nike had seriously humble beginnings. However, once they opened their first Blue Ribbon Sports retail store, it was not long after that the owners gave the company a makeover to go up against the market competition. This level up demanded a rebrand, and so, Nike was born, a name that was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory.
Business Insider | Blue Ribbon Sports might be significant but Nike definitely has a nice ring to it
2. Before: World Wrestling Federation – Now: World Wrestling Entertainment
Back in the ‘90s, the World Wrestling Federation took the world by storm by providing entertainment for the whole family. However, their sudden rise to fame also attracted a lawsuit by WWF, or the World Wildlife Fund. Despite having completely different names, the lawsuit claimed that because of the popularity of the World Wrestling Federation, the internet searches had started redirecting all the traffic to the World Wrestling Federation instead of the World Wide Fund, which is commonly referred to as WWF.
The Sportser | WWF quickly made changes and now are known as WWE- World Wrestling Entertainment
3. Before: Pete’s Super Submarines – Now: Subway
Imagine walking into a sandwich shop that’s called ‘Pete’s Super Submarines.’ As it turns out, that’s exactly what Subway was called back in the day. In 1965, Fred Deluca borrowed some cash from his friend Peter to create a sandwich shop. His idea of customizable sandwiches spread like wildfire and now Subway happens to be one of the most famous eateries in the world. In 1966, it was named Pete’s Subway but shortened to Subway the following year.
World Atlas | Aren’t you glad that you have a Subway and not a Pete’s Super Submarines?
Which company names do you like? Do you think it was a good idea to change them?
