×
Photo via Apple Inc.Next

Why Is Apple Called Apple? Here's The Real Story

99% reliable
6 mins
1.39M views
Apple History
  • Steve Jobs revealed to Walter Isaacson the intriguing reason behind choosing the name 'Apple.'
  • Yet, the story runs deeper. The name 'Apple' has sparked years of speculation and various theories.
  • Dive into the mystery: Explore why 'Apple' was chosen and the fascinating theories that have emerged over time.

The origin of Apple's name has been a topic of speculation for many years. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, revealed in Walter Isaacson’s biography that the name was chosen while he was on a fruitarian diet, and the name “Apple” was inspired by his visit to an apple farm. Jobs found the name “fun, spirited and not intimidating.” Steve Wozniak, Jobs’ co-founder, remembers Jobs suggesting the name after a visit to an “apple orchard.” Image credit: Apple Inc. Another popular theory is that the bite taken out of the Apple logo was inspired by Alan Turing, the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. It's said that Turing died after biting into an apple laced with cyanide. However, Rob Janoff, the creator of the famous logo, stated that the bite was intended to show the size of the apple and differentiate it from other fruits. Although Apple didn’t intend to commemorate Turing, Jobs once told Stephen Fry that he wished it had.

In the 1970s, many companies chose names that appeared near the front of the phone book, to increase their visibility to customers. With the name Apple, the new computer company would appear ahead of Atari, where Jobs used to work. Jobs confirmed this theory in an 1980 presentation, stating that the name was partly chosen because he liked apples and partly because Apple was ahead of Atari in the phone book. Image credit: Apple Inc. Another theory is that Apple represents Isaac Newton, who discovered gravity after an apple fell on his head. The original Apple logo featured a picture of Isaac Newton sitting under the Apple tree, and was designed by Steve Jobs. However, this logo was quickly replaced by the colorful apple with a bite taken out of it. Jobs made a connection to Newton and included a quote from a poem by Wordsworth, indicating that he felt a connection with the scientist. Image credit: Apple Inc. There is also a theory that the apple with the bite taken out of it represents the apple from the Garden of Eden. The bite of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge is said to have led to Adam and Eve's enlightenment, and computers are seen as a tool for enlightenment. However, this theory lacks evidence.

There have been suggestions that Jobs chose the name Apple because of his admiration for the Beatles and their label, Apple Corps. However, Wozniak claims that Jobs chose the name despite the existence of the Beatles label. The name stuck because they couldn’t come up with anything better. Apple and Apple Corps were involved in multiple legal disputes, which culminated in 2006 at the High Court of Justice over the existence of the iTunes Music Store. The court ruled in favor of Apple Computer.

In conclusion, there are several theories behind the origin of Apple's name, but the truth is that Jobs and Wozniak simply couldn't come up with a better name. Regardless of its origin, the name Apple has become synonymous with innovation and quality, and the company has made a significant impact on the world of technology.

Recommended by the editors:

Thank you for visiting Apple Scoop! As a dedicated independent news organization, we strive to deliver the latest updates and in-depth journalism on everything Apple. Have insights or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below—our team actively engages with and responds to our community. Return to the home page.
Stories related to Apple History

50+ Fun Facts About Apple Inc.

100% reliable28 mins

The 2010 iPhone 4 Saga: The Untold Story of Apple’s Biggest Leak

100% reliable12 mins

How Do Apple AirTags Work? A Comprehensive Overview

100% reliable10 mins

Apple Watch History: Series 0 to Series 10 (2015-2024) – A Complete Timeline

100% reliable23 mins

How Tim Cook Changed Apple Forever

100% reliable10 mins

Why Did Steve Jobs Wear The Same Outfit Everyday?

100% reliable8 mins

The History of Apple Stores: How Apple Transformed Tech Retail

100% reliable12 mins

Design Disasters: Apple’s Top 10 Most Controversial Products

100% reliable16 mins

The Evolution of iPhone Design: A Historical Overview (2007-2024)

100% reliable25 mins

Apple Ecosystem Explained: Why It’s So Hard to Leave

100% reliable12 mins

The Top 5 Most Iconic Apple Products of All Time

100% reliable9 mins

Top 10: The Most Expensive Apple Products Ever Released

100% reliable13 mins

Inside Apple's Supply Chain: How Are iPhones Really Made?

100% reliable18 mins

17 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Ronald Wayne

100% reliable12 mins

Apple Trivia: 25 Interesting Facts About Apple You Didn't Know

100% reliable17 mins

The Apple Lisa: 15 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know

100% reliable12 mins

Apple’s Third Product: Why Did the Apple III Flop? The History Behind Apple's Big Failure

100% reliable10 mins

Why Did Apple Remove the Glowing Apple Logo on MacBook? Is It Coming Back?

100% reliable9 mins

Apple's Long Journey to USB-C: Why Did It Take So Long?

100% reliable11 mins

How Apple and Samsung Became Rivals: The Untold Story

100% reliable15 mins
More stories

Apple's Next Vision Headset Might Cost $2,000

68% reliable6 mins

100+ Free 4K Wallpapers for iPhone 16 Plus

100% reliable68 mins

iPad Mini 7 & iPad Air 7: The Complete Rumor Roundup

66% reliable13 mins

iPhone SE 4 Leak Shows iPhone 7 Plus-Inspired Design and Dual Camera

60% reliable9 mins

M4 MacBook Pro Leaks: Apple’s Worst Security Breach Since the iPhone 4

71% reliable14 mins

50 Surprising Facts About Google

100% reliable20 mins

50+ Fascinating Facts About Elon Musk You Probably Didn’t Know

100% reliable20 mins

iPhone 17 Pro Latest Rumors: Smarter, Faster, and Easier to Repair

56% reliable11 mins

Apple Rumor Roundup: iPhone 17 Air Details, M4 MacBook Pro Leaks, Apple Ring Cancelled

63% reliable14 mins

75+ Top Trending Wallpapers for iPhone 16

100% reliable51 mins

50+ Free 4K Wallpapers for iPhone 16 Pro

100% reliable38 mins

Apple’s CarPlay 2 Will Change How You Drive — Here’s Why It’s Worth the Wait

90% reliable11 mins


More stories
Looking for the perfect wallpaper?
Explore thousands of free, high-quality wallpapers from Apple Scoop, specially crafted for your Apple devices.

Gradient

Apple

4K

HD

Landscape

Beach

Marble

Space

City

Pattern

Sunset

Ocean

Moon

Architecture

Quote




More wallpapers