Why “Elytra”

When I go hiking, I always explore off trail to find insects and arachnids in rock crevices or under fallen trees. I try to get as close as possible to photograph their microscopic lifestyles without disturbing them or their homes. My favorite part of Seattle’s Pacific Science Center is the entomology exhibition, where I’ve learned the names of different insect orders, held hissing cockroaches in my hand, and identified specimens in the Butterfly Exhibit that weren’t listed in the guide.  Bugs are the best.

While researching beetles in my Book of Beetles by Patrice Bouchard, I learned about elytra, which are the hardened, protective forewings of beetles (‘elytron’ is the singular form). If you play Minecraft, you may have come across this word as being a special kind of armor acting as a pair of wings, allowing a player to glide from high places.

As a word,‘elytra’ sounds beautiful. Say it out loud. Elytra. It elicits vocal smoothness for syllabically beginning and ending on a vowel. The “el” curls up into the ‘y’ strain as it spikes sharply into the ‘tr’ like electricity before tapering its decrescendo with the ‘a.’

That’s why I decided to name my operating system concept Elytra. I believe a product name should both be vocally appealing and elicit a deeper meaning. It doesn’t hurt that “Elytra” passes Erlich Bachman’s naming test in “Silicon Valley.”

Beyond being phonetically melodic, elytra are a fascinating element on their own. They are sturdy shells that form a beetle’s shape and appearance, providing a safe place for its wings. Elytra, as an operating system, is a shell for the user to form their own unique shape. It is a tool that houses their creativity, their workflows, their wings. Users can fly and flourish in whatever direction they choose, and Elytra will be their hub.