The Microsoft Rebrand Registry

Microsoft's rebrand registry reveals that product names function more as temporary identities than permanent labels, with the company regularly renaming its offerings over several decades. The analysis tracks naming patterns across Microsoft's product families, identifying which products are most likely to be renamed based on current name age, historical rename frequency, and family naming trends. The study acknowledges inherent limitations from survivorship bias and emphasizes that historical rebrand patterns indicate pressure rather than actual probability for future changes.