This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Mohsin Ali
If you’ve ever stumbled across n8n and thought:
“Wait… is that n-eight-n? Or maybe ninety-eight-n?!”
You’re not alone.
But here’s the thing 
the name isn’t random at all.
In fact, it hides a clever story about automation, creativity, and branding.
The Birth of “n8n”
Back in the early days, founder Jan Oberhauser was building a new kind of workflow tool.
It wasn’t just another automation app. It was node-based. It was no-code. It was designed to make automation accessible to everyone.
So, naturally, he came up with the name:
“nodemation” → short for “Node.js” + “automation.”
Cool, right? Except… there was a problem.
The Problem With “nodemation”
Imagine typing nodemation into your terminal over and over again.
Kinda clunky, isn’t it?
Jan realized the name was way too long for real-world use.
He needed something short. Memorable. Terminal-friendly.
So, he turned “nodemation” into something much leaner: n8n.
Why the “8”?
Here’s the genius part:
The 8 isn’t just random.
It represents the eight letters between the two “n”s in “nodemation.”
n [eight letters] n → n8n
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
And just like that, the quirky, hacker-culture name was born.
The Perfect Fit
The name wasn’t just shorter.
It fit the project’s DNA:
Node-based (drag-and-drop workflow builder)
Automation-first (the core purpose)
No-code friendly (accessible for beginners, powerful for pros)
Even better? It stuck.
“n8n” is now a recognizable brand in the automation world, lean, memorable, and unmistakably unique.
The Takeaway
Great product names aren’t always obvious.
Sometimes, they hide stories, clever shortcuts, or even inside jokes.
Next time you see a brand with a “weird” name, ask yourself: what’s the story behind it?
Because more often than not, there’s a piece of creativity hiding in plain sight.
Your turn: What’s the most unusual (or clever) product name you’ve come across in tech? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to see your list!
Sources:
Reddit discussion on n8n
n8n Press Kit
n8n GitHub Repo
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Mohsin Ali