When we think of tech giants today, Google is always at the top. It’s hard to imagine life before the ubiquitous search engine. But did you know “Google” wasn’t always called Google? That’s right—Google’s original name was actually Backrub. Surprising, isn’t it? This lesser-known fun fact about one of the world’s most influential companies offers a glimpse into the early days of the internet and the history behind Google. Read till the end if you’ve ever wondered when Google was created, how Google got its name, and the clever twist behind its eventual renaming.
What Was Google Originally Called?
Believe it or not, before it became the search engine we know and rely on today, Google’s original name was “Backrub.” It was created by two Stanford Ph.D. students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in 1996 while working on a web indexing project. The name "Backrub" wasn’t arbitrary—it described what the early search engine was designed to do.
At the time, it served as a unique algorithmic innovation that analyzed the “backlinks” between pages to determine their relevance and rankings. Backrub’s algorithm aimed for a more nuanced exploration of the web to serve up better results. While the name fit the purpose, it didn’t exactly roll off the tongue. Soon enough, the founders realized they needed a more memorable and marketable name to capture the growing interest in their project.
How Did Google Get Its Name?
The name Google came about in a rather serendipitous and playful way. Larry Page and Sergey Brin were brainstorming potential alternatives to Backrub when the term “googol” caught their attention. A googol is a mathematical term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros, representing the idea of processing vast amounts of data—a fitting vision for Google's search engine.
However, when they checked to see if “googol” was available as a domain name, they accidentally misspelled it as “Google.” And just like that, history was made. While many have wondered, “Is Google misspelled?”, the truth is, the slight typo lent itself to a quirky and catchier identity that arguably worked better than the original term. This is why knowing the history behind Google's name is as charming as the name itself.
When Was Google Created?
Although Google’s original name, “Backrub,” originated in 1996, “Google” as we know it officially came to life in 1998. The search engine was incorporated on September 4, 1998, and its headquarters were situated in a humble garage in Menlo Park, California.
Understanding when Google was invented and the transition from its original name to the now-famous moniker paints a picture of ingenuity, adaptability, and a pinch of good luck along the way.
Why Did Google Change From BackRub?
The simple reason why Backrub was abandoned as the branding goes beyond its awkward phrasing. While "Backrub" technically worked for those familiar with web terminology (referring to backlink analysis), it lacked the aspirational, versatile, and global appeal that Larry Page and Sergey Brin envisioned for their project.
Switching to Google’s original name wasn’t just smart—it was essential for branding. The name “Google” has since defined precision, vast data capabilities, and instant answers in the world of technology while maintaining an approachable simplicity.
The history of Google's evolution from the original name of Google Backrub is a reminder of how some of the world’s most influential ideas begin with unlikely beginnings. “What was Google originally called?” or “How did Google get its name?” the answer lies in an intriguing mix of innovation, creativity, and a happy accident involving a misspelled domain.
Now that you know the quirky origin story behind one of the most iconic companies in history, think about this next time you type a query into that all-too-familiar search bar. And who knows—maybe your next big idea will start with something just as unconventional!