how did amazon get its name

Have you ever wondered how a company that started in a garage selling books became one of the largest retailers on the planet? The story behind its name is just as grand as its journey. The name “Amazon” wasn’t the first choice, and its selection reveals a lot about the ambitious vision its founder had from the very beginning.

When Jeff Bezos first launched his online bookstore in 1994, he had a different name in mind: Cadabra, as in “abracadabra.” He quickly dropped it after his lawyer misheard it as “cadaver.” He then registered the company as “Relentless,” a name that still directs to Amazon’s website today. But he knew he needed something better, something that truly captured the scale of his ambition.

The Search for a Grand-Sounding Name

Bezos began paging through the dictionary, searching for a word that was both evocative and unique. He landed on “Amazon,” inspired by the Amazon River, the largest river in the world by volume. The analogy was perfect. He envisioned his store becoming the “largest bookstore on Earth,” and eventually, the largest of everything. Just as the Amazon River dwarfs all other rivers, his company would dwarf all other retailers.

Why the Name Amazon Stuck

The name worked on multiple levels. It started with the letter “A,” which was a strategic advantage in the early days of online directories that listed websites alphabetically. More importantly, it conveyed a sense of immense size, diversity, and wild, untapped potential. It wasn’t just a name for a bookstore; it was a name for a future empire. This foresight allowed the brand to grow without needing a rebrand as it expanded into selling music, electronics, and eventually, nearly every product imaginable.

A Lasting Legacy from the Start

The choice of “Amazon” set the tone for the entire company. It was a declaration of intent, a promise of endless selection and monumental scale. From its humble beginnings, the name always pointed toward a future of vast, almost unimaginable growth. It’s a reminder that a well-chosen name isn’t just a label; it’s a foundational part of a company’s story and identity.

So, the next time you click “add to cart,” remember the powerful imagery behind that simple, six-letter word. It’s a name born from a map, a dictionary, and a relentless dream to build something truly earth-changing.