The iPod range is tremendously successful and popular and has been dominating the digital audio player market for the last few years. Apple have sold over 150 million units across the world and they continue to improve and innovate, introducing new iPod products every year. You are undoubtedly familiar with the brand and you may even own one but have you ever asked yourself what does iPod stand for?

The Internet offers various explanations for what iPod might stand for but you can’t always trust the information you find online. The first iPods were released in 2001 and the brand soon became famous with Apple releasing more iPod devices. They also developed the iTunes software to run alongside the iPod and allow people to purchase music and sync their collections from the computer to the iPod. The iPhone followed in 2007 and Apple had already released the iMac and the iBook. They clearly intend to continue using the “i” prefix for their products.

You can find inaccurate suggestions such as Interface Protocol Option Devices. That explanation is definitely wrong but just what does iPod stand for? The most commonly held belief is that the “i” stands for Internet. Many people have also offered the explanation that pod stands for Portable Open Database. This story centers on the suggestion that the software originally used to run the device was called Portable Open Database. There is no confirmation that this supposition is correct either.

The original iMac had the lowercase as a reference to Internet but actually the prefix has now come to represent a concept of personal devices. Something for the individual, designed to be enjoyed and used by average consumers. The idea is that the “i” effectively stands for you and distinguishes the consumer range from products designed for professionals. Professional Apple products always lack the prefix.

It is possible that the name iPod doesn’t actually stand for anything at all. It is not actually an acronym. The name was apparently proposed by a freelance copywriter named Vinnie Chieco. According to one story he saw the device and was reminded of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey which contains various references to pods.

Once Apple had settled on the name they found it was actually already in use. The trademark had been granted and used for a number of Internet kiosks. The kiosks failed to take off and had actually been discontinued by 2001 so in 2005 the trademark was granted to Apple.

Apple have been asked the question “What does iPod stand for?” many times but they have refused to answer it definitively. This is clever marketing on their part because the more discussion and speculation there is about the meaning of iPod, the more their products have a mystique about them. In simple terms the more people are talking and thinking about iPods the better for Apple.

There are a few comical explanations which are entirely false but might raise a chuckle. The next time someone asks what does ipod stand for? You could always answer Idiots Price Our Devices or perhaps I’m Puzzled Over Defects.

The “i” prefix is now a concept and it seems to appeal to consumers. There are loads of references to it nowadays and it has passed into common usage as an idea. For anyone who writes the blatant disregard for grammar is an irritation and every dictionary will tell you that you have misspelled the name. iPod is ultimately a catchy and clever name with great consumer appeal and, whatever the thought behind it, that is Apple’s main aim.