Will Apple re-name Siri for Japan Market?

Posted by: Bill Martens Date: October 5, 2011 0 Likes 456 Views

Notes making the rounds in the blogs today are making light of the fact that Siri, the new iPhone 4S personal assistant’s name is similar sounding to the Japanese word Shiri.  Shiri, or Oshiri in Japanese is rear or bottom and certainly not a word I would believe Apple would want associated with their latest product.

A similar incident happened when the iPad was introduced in Japan.  AiPad is an adult diaper brand in Japan and this fact apparently escaped the Apple naming checkers at that time.

While most companies are conscious of their naming when they market to multiple countries, it appears that this one slipped by the Apple sensors and threatens to become a bit of a laughing stock in Japan.  Japan has traditionally been Apple’s largest market and thus it is highly probably that Siri will find herself or as Apple Says “itself” renamed.

Author: Bill Martens
A.P.P.L.E. Chairman of the Board and Club president -- Bill worked for the founder, Val J. Golding and A.P.P.L.E. from 1981 to 1982. In 1999, he began archiving the materials which were distributed and sold by A.P.P.L.E.. That project led to the group that remained of A.P.P.L.E. Bill was involved in the financial industry in Tokyo and has over 20 major office infrastructure projects to his name. In March 2001, he retired to write books and to spend more time pursuing personal interests. As the president of the users group, Bill is in charge of distribution of Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine as well as the organization of this web site. Bill currently resides in Tokyo, Japan and Shelton, Wa splitting time between the places.
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