What’s In A Name? The Meaning Footwear Brand Names
In the modern footwear market, the majority of popular brands have been around for decades, and have in turn become household names. What’s in a name, though? Highlighting eight classic sneaker makers, we take a look back at the origin and inspiration behind each brand’s name.
Originally founded as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman switched the brand name to Nike in 1978. The name Nike is borrowed from the Greek goddess of victory, strength, and speed. In Greek mythology, the goddess was also known for her wings.
The brand name adidas derives from the name of its founder, Adi Dassler. While Adi once worked with his older brother Rudolf under the name Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory), the two split, with Adi forming the brand what would go on to sport the Three Stripes and Rudolf creating rival Puma.
Hailing from the United Kingdom, the name Reebok derives from the Afrikaan/Dutch spelling of the word ‘rhebok,’ which is an antelope or gazelle. Speed and leaping ability are often associated with the species, translating well to the company that got its start making running shoes and novelty track spikes.
As stated earlier, Puma was formed after a split between brothers Adi and Rudolf Dassler, which also led to the creation of adidas. Like adidas, Puma originally took the name of its founder as ‘Ruda,’ but was later changed to the name its known as now, paired with the cougar seen on its logo.
Founded in 1949 as Panmure Co. Ltd. in the city of Kobe, Japan, ASICS has a rich heritage for making footwear, apparel, and equipment for a wide variety of sport. The name ASICS derives from a Latin acronym which stands for ‘Healthy Soul in a Healthy Body.’
The name Vans originates from the brothers Paul and James Van Doren that helped found and build the brand in 1966. While the shoes were known as Vans from the start, the company was originally formed as the Van Doren Rubber Company.
The brand name New Balance is very literal, as the company started as an arch support manufacturer. Legend has it that the inspiration behind the name derives from founder William J. Riley observing chickens in his yard and the perfect balance they displayed due to the arch in their three-clawed feet.
Much like other famous footwear brands, the name Converse stems from that of its founder Marquis Mills Converse. Similar to Vans, the company was first called the Converse Rubber Shoe Company.
* Repost via Nice Kicks
http://www.nicekicks.com/2013/04/whats-in-a-name-the-meaning-behind-footwear-brand-names/
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