People choose code names for products when they are developing them and want to have a convenient, fun handle that doesn’t have to be released to the public. This is most convenient for products that have several versions planned, and where names are linked to dates. Most software products, particularly things like Windows, get code names, because the final names and dates and version change a lot.
A good series of code names will all have different-sounding names but a theme which ties them together. For example, various versions of Macintosh OS X were named after large cats: “Panther” and “Jaguar” and so forth. “European Cities” is a good theme, but you have to be careful that they don’t all sound the same. For example, Paris and Milan are good names, but once you have Milan you should not add Madrid or Malaga. If you choose “Japanese words,” don’t choose both Usagi and Unagi.
You also want to choose something exciting and evocative, that expresses your feelings for the product. Your positive feelings– if customers find out you have named your products “clusterfuck” and “timesink” they’ll be less interested in them. Unless you are a working at very small startup or a video game company, do not use the names of porn stars, illegal drugs, or cardinal sins. Unless you are writing religious software or designing church supplies, do not choose the names of saints, angels, or cardinal virtues.
Some examples of bad code names:
If you pick “Biotech companies,” you get names that sound too similar: Biogen, Amgen, Genetech, Genzyme…
With the theme “Failed dot-coms,” your names sound too similar and are also depressing: Navilant, Noviant, Taligent, Similant…
If you pick “Discontinued, ugly, or dangerous cars” you are an idiot: Edsel, Aztek, Corvair…
Some examples of reasonably good code names:
Sci-fi heroes: Tom Swift, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon…
Futuristic inventions: Jetpack, Hoverbike, Raygun, Rocketship…
Tropical fruit: Starfruit, Kiwi, Durian (maybe not- they smell funny), papaya, guava…
Extreme Sports:Skyboard, Motocross, Street Luge, Freestyle, Halfpipe…
Be aware that if you’ve read this far, you have already wasted too much effort on choosing a code name.
Secretly Ironic 