A lot of people have been calling Google names recently (e.g. “evil”, see here), but until now “Valley Song” – as translated from the Chinese “Gu Ge” – has not been one of them (thanks to Across the Pacific’s blog “ATP”).

This is the new Chinese name for Google, and is intended to show the company’s commitment to China (which also includes a new R&D centre, and the promotion of Chinese culture around the world). ATP notes that the name refers nicely to Silicon Valley, and that it is a big improvement on the old name, “Gu Guo”, which “could mean ‘wandering and enough’, or ‘taking care but enough’, but which was ‘really terrible’!”

However, a lot of others have expressed their dislike of the name. China Daily reports some comments that indicate:

“the name is “weird,” “unsophisticated” and could damage the “cool” image of Google in China…Guge sounds traditional and rural … in other words, it’s outdated”.

As previously noted (here http://www.chinabusinessservices.com/blog/?p=159), names are important in China, and it is worth investing a little to get them right at the outset.

China Business Services provides a range of strategy, PR, transklation and support services in China. Contact us to discuss you needs.

See news source:

Google says to call itself ‘GUGE’ in China – UPDATE
Forbes – USA
... operations. At a conference in Beijing, company chief executive Eric Schmidt said the new name demonstrated Google’s commitment to China. ...
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/04/12/afx2665117.html

Across the Pacific
http://acrossthepacific.rdvp.org

Google feels the wrath of Chinese surfers
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2006-04-21 09:03

(Updated 28/06/06)

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