https://www.bluetooth.com/about-us/bluetooth-origin/ Skip to content Bluetooth(r) Technology Website Menu Language English Zhong Wen Jian Ti Deutsch Ri Ben Yu hangugeo Search Search for: [ ] Search Login * Join the SIG * Learn About Bluetooth Learn About Bluetooth + Bluetooth Technology Overview + Major Solution Areas Major Solution Areas o Audio Streaming o Data Transfer o Device Networks o Location Services + New Use Cases New Use Cases o Audio Sharing o COVID-19 Pandemic Response Solutions o Networked Lighting Control + Recent Enhancements Recent Enhancements o Overview o Direction Finding o LE Audio LE Audio # About LE Audio # Audio Sharing # Support for Hearing Assistance # LE Audio Specifications o Mesh Networking Mesh Networking # About Mesh Networking # Qualified Mesh Products # Bluetooth Mesh to DALI Gateway # Bluetooth Mesh Networking FAQs # Bluetooth Mesh Glossary of Terms + Key Attributes Key Attributes o Bluetooth Range o Bluetooth Reliability o Bluetooth Security Bluetooth Security # About Bluetooth Security # Reporting Security Vulnerabilities * Develop with Bluetooth Develop with Bluetooth + Join the SIG Join the SIG o Overview o Benefits Comparison o Getting Started as a Member o Member Support o Member Promotion Program o Member Directory + Build Your Product Build Your Product o Overview o Study Guides o Training Videos o Webinars o Developer Forums o White Papers o Product Testing o Regulatory Requirements + Qualify Your Product Qualify Your Product o Overview o Qualification Test Tools Qualification Test Tools # Profile Tuning Suite # PTS Test Coverage # Validated & Recognized Test Equipment # Additional Testing Resources o Qualification Test Facilities o Qualification Consultants o Qualification Fees o Qualification Enforcement + Brand Your Product Brand Your Product o Overview o Brand Enforcement Program * Specifications Specifications + Specifications List + Working Groups Working Groups o Groups and Committees o Specification Development Process o Templates and Documents o Awards & Recognition o Group Events Calendar + Current and Legacy TCRLs + Qualification Test Requirements + Assigned Numbers + Specifications in Development + IOP Test Events + Submit an Idea for a Specification * Resources Resources + Bluetooth News + Case Studies + Papers + Study Guides + Videos Videos o Event Videos o Promotional Videos o Training Videos o Webinars + Reports + Infographics + Blog Posts * About Us + Board of Directors + Vision and Mission + Executive Team + Governing Documents + Annual Reports + Member Directory + Origin of the Name + Contact Us * Blog * Events * Media Center * Find a Product About Us Origin of the Bluetooth Name Bluetooth(r) Technology Website Bluetooth(r) Technology Website Home Home * Learn About Bluetooth * Develop with Bluetooth * Specifications * Resources About Us About Us * Board of Directors * Vision and Mission * Executive Team * Governing Documents * Annual Reports * Member Directory * Origin of the Name * Contact Us Origin of the Name Back to Top The story behind how Bluetooth^(r) technology got its name We all recognize the "Bluetooth" brand, but we take for granted its significance and how much it impacts our lives. From smartphones to headphones and beyond, we rely on Bluetooth technology to free us from the tether of wired tech. [The_baptism_of_Harald_Bluet] The Man Behind the Tooth For how innovative the technology, the name doesn't sound techie. It's not an acronym and doesn't stand for anything. So what does it mean? Surprisingly, the name dates back more than a millennia to King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson who was well known for two things: * Uniting Denmark and Norway in 958. * His dead tooth, which was a dark blue/grey color, and earned him the nickname Bluetooth. Code for Collaboration In 1996, three industry leaders, Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia, met to plan the standardization of this short-range radio technology to support connectivity and collaboration between different products and industries. During this meeting, Jim Kardach from Intel suggested Bluetooth as a temporary code name. Kardach was later quoted as saying, "King Harald Bluetooth...was famous for uniting Scandinavia just as we intended to unite the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link." Bluetooth was only intended as a placeholder until marketing could come up with something really cool. The One and Only Later, when it came time to select a serious name, Bluetooth was to be replaced with either RadioWire or PAN (Personal Area Networking). PAN was the front runner, but an exhaustive search discovered it already had tens of thousands of hits throughout the internet. A full trademark search on RadioWire couldn't be completed in time for launch, making Bluetooth the only choice. The name caught on fast and before it could be changed, it spread throughout the industry, becoming synonymous with short-range wireless technology. The 'initial' Bluetooth Logo The Bluetooth logo is a bind rune merging the Younger Futhark runes (Hagall) (h) and (Bjarkan) (b), Harald's initials. 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