Consider Renaming GIMP To A Less Offensive Name
Since the previous issue was prematurely closed, we should reopen it.
I'd like to propose renaming GIMP, due to the baggage behind the name. The most modern and often used version of the word "gimp" is an ableist insult. This is also the colloquial usage of the word. In addition to the pain of the definition, there's also the marketability issue. Acronyms are difficult to remember, and they end up pronounced instead of read as their parts. "GIMP" does not give a hint towards the function of the app, and it's hard to market something that's either used as an insult or a sex reference.
This proposal would, at the very least, cover the appearances of "GIMP" in the desktop files, the UI, metadata, and marketing materials. I understand that it would be difficult to change every single occurrence within the code due to how it would mess with history. Some alternative names include:
- GNU Imp (GNU Image Manipulation Program, restyled)
- GNU PIE (GNU Photo and Image Editor)
- Glimpse
- Clickfix
- Wilber
For the sake of productive discussion, I'd like to ask non-contributors not to comment if they are not suggesting a name. If you would like to express approval or disapproval use GitLab's reactions, not the comments.
I would also like to add, developers: Kimball and Mattis chose the name because of Pulp Fiction. It's not an accidental acronym, and it wasn't chosen by accident or without intended meaning.