The blue bird depicted in the Twitter logo is not actually a sparrow but rather represents a mountain bluebird. This type of bird was chosen for the Twitter logo because of its association with freedom and nature. The specific mountain bluebird in the logo has never been given an official name by Twitter.
The History of the Twitter Logo
Twitter was created in 2006 as a microblogging and social networking platform. The original Twitter logo was simply the word “Twitter” spelled out in plain text.
In 2010, Twitter unveiled a new logo design that featured a small blue bird icon next to the Twitter text. This blue bird was intended to represent a mountain bluebird, a species found in North America that is known for its bright blue plumage.
The designers felt the mountain bluebird was a good symbolic choice for the Twitter logo because bluebirds represent freedom, nature, and communication. These values align well with Twitter’s mission to give people the power to create and share ideas instantly without barriers.
While the blue bird in Twitter’s logo was inspired by the mountain bluebird species, it was illustrated as a very generic, cartoon-like bird. It was not intended to accurately depict the anatomical details of mountain bluebirds and could represent any small, blue songbird.
Symbolism of the Twitter Bird
There are a few reasons why Twitter chose a blue bird to represent its brand:
– Bluebirds are seen as symbols of happiness and positivity. This fits with Twitter’s mission to connect people and help ideas spread.
– Bluebirds are found all over North America, representing Twitter’s goal to be widely accessible.
– Bluebirds sing short, repeated phrases, similar to how users “tweet” short messages on the platform.
– Bluebirds build nests together, representing community, which is an important part of the Twitter experience.
So while the blue bird in Twitter’s logo was originally inspired by the mountain bluebird, it has evolved to represent broader symbolic meanings related to Twitter’s brand.
The Name of the Twitter Bird
Even though the blue bird in Twitter’s logo represents a specific species, the mountain bluebird, it does not actually have an official name given to it by Twitter.
Many Twitter users and media outlets refer to the bird icon as the “Twitter bird” or “Twitter bird logo.” But Twitter has never officially named the graphic.
There are a few reasons why the bird in Twitter’s logo remains nameless:
– Twitter wants the bird to represent the brand at large, not just one character. Naming the bird would personify it too much.
– They prefer that people focus on the meaning behind the bird icon rather than a specific name.
– Twitter likely wants to keep their branding options flexible. Naming the bird would make changing it more difficult.
So while Twitter’s logo bird was inspired by a real species, the mountain bluebird, it has evolved into an anonymous representation of the broader Twitter brand. Twitter has never given the blue bird a formal name or backstory. It is simply referred to as the “Twitter bird.”
Common Fan Names for the Twitter Bird
Even though Twitter has not officially named the bird in its logo, Twitter users and fans have come up with some popular unofficial names over the years.
Some of the most common fan-generated names for the Twitter bird include:
– Larry – This seems to be the most popular fan-given name. The origins are unclear but possibly refer to Larry Bird, an NBA player with the last name Bird.
– Birdie – A simple, cute name that references birds.
– Tweetie – A play on “tweet” that references the cute Looney Tunes canary character.
– Twitterlicious – A silly name merging “Twitter” and “delicious.”
– Blu – A short name referencing the bird’s blue color.
– Chirp – References how birds chirp, similar to how users tweet.
So while Twitter has avoided officially naming the bird, fans have stepped in to give the iconic logo bird some catchy nicknames. But none of these are formally endorsed by Twitter itself.
Should Twitter Ever Name the Bird?
There is an argument among branding experts whether Twitter should someday officially name its iconic bird logo. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Reasons Twitter could consider naming the bird:
– It would make the logo more personable and memorable. People connect more with a named character.
– It would create endless content opportunities around the bird’s adventures.
– Kids would likely love a named bird character. It could represent Twitter in childrens’ books or shows.
Reasons Twitter may want to keep the bird nameless:
– The current mystery surrounding the bird’s lack of name generates interest and discussion.
– Naming the bird could limit future branding and design options.
– It could be hard to choose just one “official” name with so many fan nicknames.
– The bird is meant to broadly represent Twitter’s brand, not just be one character.
Overall there are good arguments on both sides as to whether naming the blue bird would benefit Twitter’s brand or not.
Conclusion
The blue bird depicted in Twitter’s iconic logo represents a mountain bluebird but has never been given an official name by Twitter itself. While fans have come up with creative nicknames for the friendly blue bird, Twitter has left the logo bird intentionally anonymous.
This allows the blue bird character to broadly represent Twitter’s brand identity and values like freedom, community, and communication. Avoiding a formal name also gives Twitter more flexibility for potential rebranding and redesign in the future.
There are arguments on both sides as to whether naming the blue bird would be beneficial for Twitter’s brand recognition or if leaving the bird unnamed is better for allowing broad symbolism. However, the blue bird in Twitter’s current logo will likely remain without an official name for the foreseeable future as it evolves to represent the brand.