After covering Kraft’s (poor) choice in naming its spinoff, we now move onto mocking examining Abbott’s (ABT)
choice of the name AbbVie for its new pharmaceuticals company. Sadly, this now means that journalists will have to stop referring to the company as ‘Costello’ which would have been quite the humorous, although ill advised pick.
The new name was apparently concocted by a consultant and is derived “from a combination of Abbott and “vie,” which references the Latin root “vi” meaning life.” The idea is to preserve the new company’s connection to the parent company with which it will continue to share a campus while also calling “attention to the vital work the company will continue to advance to improve the lives of people around the world.” OK.
As usual, some are questioning the choice and this WSJ blog notes that even the company’s Latin may be mistaken as well:
As for the Latin, one scholar was a bit puzzled. Julia Nelson Hawkins, an assistant professor in the Greek and Latin department of Ohio State University, said the Latin root for “life” would be either “vit” or “viv.” These are roots of the words “vita” and “vivus,” or “life” and “alive.”
Nelson Hawkins said “vi” by itself actually means “by force” or “by violence” — probably not the connotation Abbott is going for. However, she noted that “vie” means “life” in French, a language that evolved from Latin.
Morrison said the company intended the “Vie” part of the new name as a reference to the Latin “vit,” for “life,” as well as the French “vie.”
Whatever. AbbVie may not be the most interesting name, but at least it doesn’t reference an oral sex act in Russian (that I know of at least). The company intends to complete the transaction by year end and as always, we will keep you updated as more information is released.
Disclosure: Author holds no position in any stock mentioned.
