History Main / NamesGivenToComputers

* ''Series/{{Doomwatch}}'' is actually the name of the computer used by the Department for the Observation and Measurement of Scientific Work. It's name is functional as it's used to analyze and extrapolate on whatever [[ScienceIsBad unchecked scientific invention is about to doom Mankind]] this week.

This practice is TruthInTelevision. While more common in the era of UsefulNotes/MainframesAndMinicomputers, the practice of giving computers clever pet names still remains popular among hardcore computer enthusiasts and IT departments. In addition to using the same naming conventions already mentioned, there are several additional patterns found in the naming of real-world computers, servers, robots, and networks. As one might expect when [[JustForFun/OneOfUs certain personality types]] become involved, these can be a bit odd:

* ''Film/ShortCircuit'' and ''Short Circuit 2'' feature a military robot warrior project called SAINT (Strategic Artificially Intelligent Nuclear Transport). Each robot is given a numerical designation, and our hero is Number 5. He's called "Number 5" throughout the first film, until the end, when he gives himself the name Johnny 5.

* '''[[AICronym Acronyms]]''': By use of {{Shoehorned First Letter}}s if necessary.[[note]][[AC:[[Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey Heuristically programmed [=A Lgorithmic=] computer 9000]], [[VideoGame/{{Portal}} Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System]]]][[/note]]

* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDCE73Stargazer'': While testing the GSX-401FW, L'ange decides that its "rude" to keep referring the the mobile suit's onboard A.I. as "401", so [=McGriff=] tells it that it's new name is "Stargazer". It immediately changes its name on the command readouts.

The TropeNamer is [[http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?NamesGivenToComputers this page]] on the Website/PortlandPatternRepository. Note that this trope is ''specifically'' about computers, robots, and AIs that are given abnormal titles; see NamedWeapons, ICallItVera and ICallHimMisterHappy for other examples. Note that an [[AvertedTrope aversion]] of this trope involves a bland AI in an extraordinary setting (e.g. a computer named "computer" in a high space opera setting).

* Franchise/{{Tron}} has a tendency to go nuts with these, as most of the characters are sentient computer Programs. The title character? Short for "electronic" (though there is a real-world BASIC command with the name). Tron's two apprentices in the ''WesternAnimation/TronUprising'' animated series were named Beck and Cyrus after a graphical rendering algorithm. FreezeFrameBonus material in Film/TronLegacy show a lot of Programs that were named for real-world computer scientists, and ''VideoGame/TronTwoPointOh'' went crazy with ThemeNaming, giving normal civilian Programs human-style names like Felicia and Archie, virus-infected Programs names like Duradanal and Rampancy, the security software names like [[BlandNameProduct Morton and Spoolserv]], Resource Hog gangsters names like Exploder and Photo Edit, etc.

** As mentioned above, ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' is based around a human's dealings with the master control computer of a giant laboratory complex, who is named [=GLaDOS=]. [=GLaDOS=] is obsessed with conducting science experiments and has a skewed sense of morality. It is implied that she killed all other humans in the complex, though likely as a self defense measure to prevent them switching her off.

* CABAL ('''C'''omputer '''A'''ssisted '''B'''iologically '''A'''ugmented '''L'''ifeform) in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun'' and its expansion. As its name implies, it uses PeopleJars to power it and at the Nod ending of ''Firestorm'' it shows that [[spoiler: it's keeping Kane alive]]. There's also LEGION from the [[{{VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberiumWars}} third game's]] expansion ''Kane's Wrath'', with the acronym standing for "'''L'''ogarithmically '''E'''ngineered '''G'''overning '''I'''ntelligence '''O'''f '''N'''od".
* In ''{{VideoGame/Marathon}}'', there doesn't seem to be a theme: among them, Durandal (Roland's sword from "Song of Roland"), Tycho (presumably after the astronomer), Thoth (Egyptian mythology), and Leela (pre-dates Futurama by nearly a decade)

The TropeNamer is [[http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?NamesGivenToComputers this page]] on the Portland Pattern Repository. Note that this trope is ''specifically'' about computers, robots, and AIs that are given abnormal titles; see NamedWeapons, ICallItVera and ICallHimMisterHappy for other examples. Note that an [[AvertedTrope aversion]] of this trope involves a bland AI in an extraordinary setting (e.g. a computer named "computer" in a high space opera setting).

->''"It's called the '''[[AC: Flint Lockwood Diatonic Super Mutating Dynamic Food Replicator]]'''. Or, for short -- the "flihsivdefuhr".''
-->-- Flint, ''WesternAnimation/CloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballs''

* ''VideoGame/SystemShock''
** In the first game the villain is a corrupt AI computer named SHODAN, Sentient Hyper-Optimized Data Access Network. After being corrupted by the player character and developing a malevolent AI, SHODAN eliminates her human masters and begins a scheme to escape her space station home and transmit her personality into the computers of planet earth.
** The second game has another corrupt AI named XERXES 8933A/A.

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'':

* '''Names based off of the type of computer'''- essentially the modern form of the "Automatic Computer" name. For instance, Texas Tech's primary supercomputer is based on a Beowulf Cluster Structure, and so was named Hrothgar after the king in Beowulf.

* In an old joke passed around IT and technology circles, a sysadmin sets up a server for their company and names it Homer, intending to theme-name later servers Aristotle, Plato, and so on. Unfortunately, they don't get the chance to set up a second server before they leave the company. Their successor saw the server named Homer and proceeded to name the next one [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Marge]].

In the real world, computers are typically given names, usually strictly functional names or serials (such as accounting_server or fx98v4p), but also themed names, in order to allow for identification. Since even professionals (both fictional and real) struggle with pronunciation and identification of an obscure manufacturing code, pop culture naturally has a tendency to seep into the naming of products.

The TropeNamer is [[http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?NamesGivenToComputers this page]] on the Wiki/PortlandPatternRepository. Note that this trope is ''specifically'' about computers, robots, and AIs that are given abnormal titles; see NamedWeapons, ICallItVera and ICallHimMisterHappy for other examples. Note that an [[AvertedTrope aversion]] of this trope involves a bland AI in an extraordinary setting (e.g. a computer named "computer" in a high space opera setting).

[[RealityIsUnrealistic While it initially wasn't prevalent in fiction]], writers and producers soon realized that naming computers was common practice, and proceeded to ramp it UpToEleven it to make computer and robot names substantially more dramatic than groupings like [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Cleo, Tony and Jules.]][[note]]Mail servers at Boston College during the mid-1990s.[[/note]]

** [[spoiler:Legion]], meanwhile, is both a fanciful-but-appropriate functional name. Since geth have no concept of individuality, EDI contrived the MeaningfulName from Biblical mythology. While it is indeed an [[AwesomeMcCoolname awesome name]], it was intended to draw the parallel as a way to understand the geth's gestalt consciousness.

* ''' Abbreviated model names or serial numbers:''' [[note]][[StarWars R2D2]], [[Series/KnightRider KITT]][[/note]]

* ''Manga/DetectiveConan'': One of the characters from the Night Baron Murder Case has named his laptop „Satomi“, the name of his late mother, and he treats his laptop like his girlfriend. Conan is creeped out by this.

* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' has a functional name: [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20070519.html Roofus the roof-repairing robot.]] And although it was nonsentient, there was also the [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20111101.html Ultra-Ballistaroid:]] a [[SteamPunk steam-powered]] [[TransformingMecha transforming]] [[SiegeEngines ballista]] [[{{Snowlems}} made of snow.]] [[SmartPeopleBuildRobots Molly built and named them.]]

** [[spoiler: Legion]], meanwhile, is both a fanciful-but-appropriate functional name. Since Geth had no concept of individuality, EDI contrived the MeaningfulName from Biblical mythology. While it is indeed an [[AwesomeMcCoolname awesome name]], it was intended to draw the parallel as a way to understand the Geth's gestalt consciousness.
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', [[spoiler: Dr. Eva Core]] is named after a deceased companion of The Illusive Man, with the implication that she was something of a ReplacementGoldfish for the original.

* ''Film/{{Alien}}''. The Nostromo's MasterComputer is called "Mother". Whatever maternal image the Company was invoking is hampered by it being programmed with orders that might not be in the crew's interest. In ''Film/AlienResurrection'' the computer is called Father in a CallBack to the first movie.

* ''Plan 7 of 9 from Outer Space''. The Great Calculator (originally the [[DeusEstMachina 2-X Machina]]) is a ZeeRust MasterComputer that runs the entire solar system.