For Twitter users, the name Kyndryl is conjuring images of a nasal spray company, Ikea product or World of Warcraft creature.
In reality, it’s the new name of IBM’s legacy IT infrastructure business, which is being spun off into a new company. IBM unveiled the name this week and in a press release explained that, “’Kyn’ is derived from the word kinship, referencing the belief that relationships with people — employees, customers and partners — are at the center of the strategy, and that long-lasting relationships must be built and nurtured. ‘Dryl’ comes from tendril, bringing to mind new growth and the idea that — together with customers and partners — the business is always working toward advancing human progress.”
Here’s how Twitter users are reacting to the wacky new name.
Kyndryl is a name from an IKEA store.
— Severin Romanov (@Sever_i) April 12, 2021
Did #IBM just named the new company after a character of World of Warcraft? Yup! #Kyndryl
— Jackie (@jackshackie) April 12, 2021
Good morning to everyone except those who think Kyndryl is a nasal spray brand...
— Steven Dickens (@StevenDickens3) April 12, 2021
Tell me that the name “Kyndryl” doesn’t immediately make you think you’re going on a fetch quest.
— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) April 12, 2021
Ask your doctor if Kyndryl is right for you.
— Phil Estes (@estesp) April 12, 2021
#kyndryl ?? Sounds like something you’d buy at a pharmacy. Hope they didn’t pay somebody to come up with that pic.twitter.com/iLIkU3rhO2
— FPL Fiddy (@FiddyPug) April 12, 2021
As your doctor if Kyndryl is right for you.
— Mr. Croy (@agentdero) April 12, 2021
*Side effects include downtime, intermittent network failures, excessive consonants, decreased performance, fomo, and kubernetes
I remember waking up one morning at @IBM and learning that I now worked for a company called @Lenovo. With today's announcement of #Kyndryl - it appears those employees will spend years (like I did) explaining to people that we were not in Pharma - or kiln drying lumber. pic.twitter.com/aVQ4TKWcBB
— Jay McBain (@jmcbain) April 12, 2021
What's your take?
IBM is naming its IT spinoff Kyndryl. What does the name automatically make you think of?
— PRWeekUS (@PRWeekUS) April 14, 2021