What should the 'O' in Android O stand for?

Google has a history of giving its operating system versions fun names. So we gathered our best guesses as to what the "O" could could be.

Patrick Holland Managing Editor

As Managing Editor, I lead CNET's mobile team, covering news and reviews on smartphones, wireless carriers, AI, wearables and more. I oversee the team's product testing and translate our findings into accessible recommendations. With nearly a decade of experience at CNET, I've covered Apple and the iPhone, Google and the Pixel, Samsung and the Galaxy, Motorola and the Razr, iOS vs. Android and much more. I'm passionate about storytelling (hey, former theater director and playwright here).

Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival.

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Patrick Holland

March 21, 2017 1:12 p.m. PT

2 min read

Ngoc Minh & Julian Wass, Getty Images/StockFood

Google has always had a sweet tooth when it comes to naming its Android operating system versions. To name a few, there have been Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, FroYo, Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Lollipop, Marshmallow and Nougat.

The next version of the OS to be released will be called Android O. But what could the "O" stand for? I have gathered a number of possibilities, including a few possible curveballs that Google could throw our way.

More sweet names

If Google sticks with the sweets and treats theme of previous nicknames, here are a few strong contenders for the letter "O":

Android Orange
Android Oatmeal Cookie
Android Orangesicle
Android Old Fashioned
Android Orange Juice
Android Orange Whip (for fans of "The Blues Brothers")

Break me off a piece of that KitKat name

Back in 2013, Google actually named its operating system after a Kit Kat bar. If the company follows that model, here are some possible names based off actual products and brands:

Android Oreo
Android O'Henry
Android Orbit (gum)
Android Orville Redenbacher
Android Orangina
Android Otter Pops (aka freeze pops)

What if "O" was at the end?

Chris Kattan as Mango with Horatio Sanz and Tracy Morgan in the "Mango & Gwyneth" skit on Saturday Night Live.
Dana Edelson, NBC via Getty Images

We've been looking at sweet possibilities for names that start with the letter "O", but what if Google chooses a name with "O" at the end?

Android Jell-O (J-E-L-L-O)
Android Gelato
Android Mango (Google could bring back the infamous SNL Chris Kattan character to help market it, too.)

Sweet and salty

Obviously, Google's previous names for Android have followed the sweet things motif. But what if the company decided to move toward a more savory name? Here are some possibilities:

Android Okra
Android Olive
Android Onion Powder
Android Oregano
Android Orzo
Android Oyster

You get Android! And you get Android!

Of course like all great tech companies, Google is not afraid to change for the better. So what if the company decided to move away from food altogether and just named it after anything with the letter "O". Here are some of my favorites:

Android Original
Android Octopus
Android Otter
Android OG
Android Orchid
Android Old School
Android OMG!
Android Omar's coming (from "The Wire")
Android One Direction
Android Obama
Android Oprah

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