[todd3834]

I don’t think this should be downvoted. It’s a valid point and potential lesson for anyone thinking about reviving or doing something similar.

While this might not be the only issue I wouldn’t doubt that the name might prevent a larger audience.

[losvedir]

Why? I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for. You're not just saying that because the word happens to end in "butt" are you? Or am I missing something?

[oli-g]

> You're not just saying that because the word happens to end in "butt" are you?

They're saying precisely that and they're 100% right, and it seems you're missing a lot of things.

It's a social network. Its only value is in it having people using it and coming back.

Just try and imagine any person in your IRL circles (who's not on HN) actually using a social network with butt in its name. I seriously can't believe you see no issue there whatsoever. A teenager. A young artist. A YouTuber. "Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, Scuttlebutt and Poopypants". I dare you to find a creator willing to say these words.

Or if you just hang out with smart, like-minded tech-savvy middle-ages people who see past these things, then great, we have a new "social network" for smart, like-minded tech-savvy middle-aged people.

[filoleg]

> I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for

Just because the name says exactly what the product does and what it's for, that doesn't automatically mean it is good. In fact, imo it is bad in a lot of cases.

Do you think Instagram would have gotten as popular if it was named FlexGallery, or if Nextdoor was named SpreadRumorsActVaguelyRacistForum, or if Twitter/X was named PopularityContestShortMessagesAndBadNewsSourceSpaceWithSomePorn?

I personally would say "no" to all of those, and it isn't just because the names get unnecessarily long and ugly. McDonalds would never rename itself to Cheap Passable Fast Food Restaurant.

[jrm4]

"Normal English Word" feels like a stretch. At least in the US, pretty obscure and kind of archaic sounding?

[ziddoap]

>it's a normal English word

I mean, it's an English word, for sure. I have never once in my many years heard someone actually say it seriously. Maybe a handful of times when someone was purposefully trying to be quirky.

[nine_k]

A name that makes many of your friends smile ironically is not a name that would induce a network effect, except maybe in marginal communities ("bitards").

A name must not be even remotely silly, else it will be laughed out of the (already crowded) room.