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Should Apple ditch the codenames from macOS?
- Thread starter WebHead
- Start date
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Basic75
macrumors 68030
Does it matter? The one thing they should change about naming is that the OS released in 2026 is the one called 26, not the one released in 2025. Even Microsoft got that one right with Windows 95 and 98.
MacGizmo
macrumors 68040
I'm assuming you're referring to the marketing name, not the codename. The marketing name for macOS 26 is Tahoe, but the codename was "Cheer."
In fact, only 4 OS versions in the OSX era have actually used their codenames as a full release marketing name (Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar and Snow Leopard).
Here's the list of the marketing names and their respective internal codenames:
*List copy/pasted from here for expediency... if you're interested, check out the codenames of Apple Watch way down at the bottom.
In fact, only 4 OS versions in the OSX era have actually used their codenames as a full release marketing name (Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar and Snow Leopard).
Here's the list of the marketing names and their respective internal codenames:
- Mac OS X: Cyan, Siam
- Mac OS X Developer Preview 3 – Bunsen
- Mac OS X Developer Preview 4 — Gonzo
- Mac OS X Public Beta — Kodiak
- Mac OS X Public Release 1 — Hera
- Mac OS X Public Release 2 — Beaker
- Mac OS X 10.0 — Cheetah
- Mac OS X 10.1 — Puma
- Mac OS X 10.2 — Jaguar
- Mac OS X 10.2.1 — Red
- Mac OS X 10.2.2 — Blue
- Mac OS X 10.2.3 — Green
- Mac OS X 10.2.4 — Pink
- Mac OS X 10.2.7 — Blackrider, Smeagol
- Mac OS X 10.3 Panther — Pinot
- Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger — Merlot
- Mac OS X 10.4.1 Tiger — Atlanta
- Mac OS X 10.4.4 Tiger (Intel version) — Chardonnay
- Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard — Chablis
- Mac OS X 10.6 – Snow Leopard
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion — Barolo
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion — Zinfandel
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks — Cabernet
- OS X 10.10 Yosemite — Syrah
- OS X 10.11 El Capitan — Gala
- macOS 10.12 Sierra — Fuji
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra — Lobo
- macOS 10.14 Mojave — Liberty
- macOS 10.15 Catalina — Jazz
- macOS 11.0 Big Sur — GoldenGate
- macOS 12.0 Monterey — Star
- macOS 13.0 Ventura — Rome
- macOS 14.0 Sonoma — Sunburst
- macOS 15.0 Sequoia — Glow
- macOS 26.0 Tahoe — Cheer
*List copy/pasted from here for expediency... if you're interested, check out the codenames of Apple Watch way down at the bottom.
MacGizmo
macrumors 68040
They release the OS in September (or very early in October), leaving only 3 months of the year where the date is wrong. Doing it the way you're saying would make it wrong for 9 months of the year.
The only way to avoid the problem would be to release the OS' every January 1st. Or they could pull a Microsoft and keep the release year in the name for several years so the marketing team can take an extended multi-year sabbatical. 😆
aperfectcircle
macrumors 6502a
I like the names, even if a few have been a bit meh. Might be time for a new theme, California place names have had a good run.
Yes, thank you, I realise the internal codenames are different but still prefer that term.
MacGizmo
macrumors 68040
Agreed. They were nice for a while, but they're getting tired, as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't mind if they started a run of astrology-related names, or (selfishly for me) dog breeds. 😛
Ben J.
macrumors 65816
No. I think the names helps when discussing stuff on forums like this. Helps with clarity.
What Apple should do is merge their entire OS stack into one single 'AppleOS' that happens to run on a variety of different devices. We're at the point now where a Mac can run iPhone and iPad apps, they all have the same aesthetic and the same icons. Apple having to repeat themselves at WWDC every year with each device is getting silly. You present all the core features and then go into each device in depth with its exclusives.
Customers don't really care what their OS is called or pay much attention. They'll just blindly install updates or never update at all because of an anecdote from a friend. Yes, this is also how Android works as well as Windows when it was on a variety of devices.
Customers don't really care what their OS is called or pay much attention. They'll just blindly install updates or never update at all because of an anecdote from a friend. Yes, this is also how Android works as well as Windows when it was on a variety of devices.
Basic75
macrumors 68030
What? Wrong? If they release version 26 in 2026 it will still have been released in 2026 even when we enter 2027.
I voted Yes. Numbers are easy and have a natural progression. When people on forums like this one say that they're having issues with Mountain Goat, I have to stop and think "Is that the current version? One version ago? Ten versions ago?" whereas if they say "I'm running version 15.6" then it's easy. Granted, the jump to 26 has complicated that a little, but at least they're still in order.
edubfromktown
macrumors 65816
I can't ever keep them all straight.
There has got to be a better way imo
There has got to be a better way imo
AustinIllini
macrumors G5
conmee
macrumors 6502a
In addition if macOS Tahoe were macOS 25, that gives people 9 months in 2026 to get all worked up for the new macOS in September. Missed marketing opportunity there. As it stands, people think they're already on the 2026 version, but we in the know, know that's not true.
Companies like to be forward-looking with their naming, plus it takes longer to appear dated. Consumers also feel like they're getting something futuristic or slightly more future-proof.
I know MS is an exception but see numerous video games and various artists compilation albums for other examples.
Apple used to use the actual year for iLife but the difference was it was (usually) released in January.
uacd
macrumors 68000
Cheruman
macrumors regular
That probably explains macOS Tahoe then 😁
MacGizmo
macrumors 68040
I think "acid trip" would explain it more precisely.
cjsuk
macrumors 68020
Yes. This is a persistent problem across the industry.
Look at Linux. No one can tell what version Ubuntu Manky Mutt is. Is it older or newer than Feral Ferret or Stoned Snake.
Numbers are by nature ordered.
Look at Linux. No one can tell what version Ubuntu Manky Mutt is. Is it older or newer than Feral Ferret or Stoned Snake.
Numbers are by nature ordered.
boswald
macrumors 68030
I always hated Ubuntu’s stupid codenames. I wish they’d retire them too.
Not always though, iLife 08 was released on August 7, 2007.
iLife 11 was released on October 20, 2010.
Basic75
macrumors 68030
That's what they have been doing all along. They just decided to give different names to the differently skinned and tuned versions of AppleOS.