Hi there! I'm a software engineer with over a decade of experience in the tech industry, and I've been following the evolution of Google since its early days. You've asked a fascinating question about Google's "real name," which gives me a chance to delve into a common misconception. So, buckle up!

The truth is, Google is and always has been the company's official, legal name. There's no hidden, original name lurking behind the scenes. The confusion often stems from two main sources:


1. Backrub: This was the name of the research project at Stanford University that eventually gave birth to Google. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders, developed a novel search engine algorithm they initially dubbed "BackRub" because it analyzed the web's "back links" to understand a webpage's importance. It's crucial to remember that BackRub was the precursor, the research phase, not the company itself.

2. **Misinterpretations of Google's Origins:** The word "Google" is a playful take on the mathematical term "googol," which represents the number 1 followed by 100 zeros (10^100). This enormous number reflects the vastness of information Google aimed to organize and make accessible. It's plausible that some people confuse the connection to "googol" as implying a name change, but that's simply not the case.

Let's dive a bit deeper into the historical context to dispel any remaining doubts:

* 1996: BackRub emerges as Larry and Sergey's research project.
* 1997: The name "Google" is born, inspired by "googol."
* September 4, 1998: Google officially registers as a company, solidifying "Google" as its one and only name.

This timeline underscores the fact that Google, from its very inception as a company, has always been known as "Google."

Now, it's worth mentioning that Google's parent company is Alphabet Inc. This restructuring took place in 2015 as a way to separate Google's core businesses (search, advertising, Android, etc.) from its more experimental ventures (Waymo, Verily, etc.). However, this corporate restructuring doesn't change the fact that "Google" remains the official name of the search engine and all its associated products and services we know and love.

To sum up:

* Google's real name is Google.
* BackRub was the research project that preceded the company's formation.
* The name "Google" is a deliberate play on "googol," highlighting the company's mission to organize vast amounts of information.
* While Google is now a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., its name remains unchanged.

I hope this clears up any confusion!
read more >>

In the 21st century, Google is a household name�Ceven among the households that don't use it. Back in the late 20th century, 1996 to be exact, Google was unheard of. The precursor to Google, the earliest collaboration between Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, was nicknamed�Crather oddly�CBackRub.read more >>