View source for Name changes due to the Islamic State

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[[File:Isis.svg|thumb|upright|Some organisations and people are or were named [[Isis]] after the Egyptian goddess]]
The [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]], often abbreviated as "ISIL" and pronounced as such, is a militant [[Islamist terrorism|Islamist terrorist]] group. It is also known as the ''Islamic State of Iraq and Syria'' or the ''Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham'', abbreviated as "ISIS" (and pronounced the same as the ancient Egyptian goddess, [[Isis]]) or sometimes as just ''Islamic State'' "IS", which has caused name changes to distinguish other entities from the group.
==Software==
Version 0.3 of [[Linux]] distribution [[elementary OS]], originally to be called Isis, was renamed Freya.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abhishek|title=Elementary OS Isis Will Now Be Called Freya And Here Is Why!|url=http://itsfoss.com/elementary-os-isis-called-freya/|access-date=27 July 2015|work=[[It's F.O.S.S.]]|date=29 June 2014}}</ref> ([[Freya]] is a Norse goddess.)
A mobile banking app previously known as ISIS changed its name to [[Softcard]] in 2014, stating "We have no desire to share a name with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence".<ref>{{cite news|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|title=ISIS mobile wallet changes name to Softcard to avoid association with militant group|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/3/6101035/isis-rebrands-as-softcard-to-avoid-association-with-militant-group|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[The Verge]]|date=3 September 2014}}</ref>
In 2015, the [[University of Arkansas]] decided to rename its course registration system from "Integrated Student Information System" to "UAConnect".<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=20 November 2015|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/1c2753a54e744f77b07f4dede11c9325|title='Negative meaning' forces school to rename ISIS registration|access-date=21 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122170639/http://bigstory.ap.org/1c2753a54e744f77b07f4dede11c9325|archive-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> [[National University of Singapore]] and [[Dunman High School]] in Singapore made similar changes to their similarly-named systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NUS' MyISIS portal may change its name |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/nus-myisis-portal-may-change-its-name |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=TODAY |language=en}}</ref>
[[Tufts University]] and [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] renamed its online information system, iSiS, the "Intercampus Student information System", to "SiS" – Student Information System.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uml.edu/Enrollment/iSiS/default.aspx|title=iSiS|date=5 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205120329/http://www.uml.edu/Enrollment/iSiS/default.aspx|archive-date=5 December 2014}}</ref>
In 2016, the [[University of Economics, Prague]] decided to rename its online information system from ISIS to INSIS ([[Czech language|Czech]]: ''Integrovaný Studijní Informační Systém).''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ilist.cz/clanky/isis-konci-misto-nej-budou-studenti-pouzivat-insis|title=iList.cz » ISIS končí. Místo něj budou studenti používat InSIS|access-date=2016-11-27}}</ref>
Also in 2016, [[Cornell University]]'s Isis2 Distributed Computing Library was renamed "Vsync" to eliminate any suggestion of connections to the group.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=PLATFORM FOR HIGH-ASSURANCE CLOUD COMPUTING |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD1010441.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222022644/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD1010441.pdf |archive-date=2023-12-22 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=[[Defense Technical Information Center]] }}</ref>
Other universities that have renamed their software include [[Kansas State University]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansas.com/news/state/article12820550.html|title=K-State changes renames computer network iSIS to KSIS|work=kansas|access-date=2017-09-19|language=en}}</ref> the [[University of Iowa]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://now.uiowa.edu/2016/04/goodbye-isis-hi-myui|title=Goodbye, ISIS; hi, MyUI|access-date=2023-05-29|language=en}}</ref> and [[Johns Hopkins University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portalcontent.johnshopkins.edu/NewStudent/ISIS|title=ISIS|last=Feist|first=Theron|website=portalcontent.johnshopkins.edu|access-date=2017-09-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prod.isis.jhu.edu/help/isis.pdf|title=SIS Desktop Settings|quote="3.8 - Updated system name references from ISIS to SIS"}}</ref>
==Business==
In 2013, a Belgian chocolate manufacturer previously known as Italo Suisse changed its name to ISIS. But in 2014, it changed the name again to [[Libeert]] after a decline in sales, mainly in the [[Anglophone world]]. The company was founded in 1923, and had only been called ISIS for a year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moodley|first=Kiran|title=Belgium chocolate maker ISIS changes its name after drop in sales|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/belgium-chocolate-maker-isis-changes-its-name-after-drop-in-sales-9847247.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/belgium-chocolate-maker-isis-changes-its-name-after-drop-in-sales-9847247.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[The Independent]]|date=7 November 2014}}</ref>
A British private equity firm changed its name from ISIS Equity Partners to [[Livingbridge]] to distance itself from the group.<ref>{{cite news|title=PE in 2015: Living Bridge's Wol Kolade on Rebranding ISIS Equity Partners|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/privateequity/2015/01/01/pe-in-2015-living-bridges-wol-kolade-on-rebranding-isis-equity-partners/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|date=1 January 2015}}</ref>
In 2014, a Chicago business owner renamed her store from ISIS to My Sister's Circus after people began taking pictures of her store's sign and harassing her sales staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dp5g77/its-hard-to-be-a-business-called-isis-326|title=It's Hard to Be a Business Called Isis|publisher=Vice|date=March 27, 2015|accessdate=July 27, 2024}}</ref>
In [[Queens]], [[New York (state)|New York]], the owner of ISIS Nails renamed the salon Bess Nails and Spa because of harassment. The salon's revenue had declined by approximately 30 percent.<ref>{{cite news|title='ISIS' nail salon changes its name after harassment|url=https://nypost.com/2015/05/04/isis-nail-salon-changes-its-name-after-harassment/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[New York Post]]|date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., a pharmaceutical company in [[California]], originally named for the Egyptian goddess, after observing relevant drop in stock and to avoid confusion, decided to change the name to [[Ionis Pharmaceuticals]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Isis Pharma changes "unfortunate" name to avoid confusion|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151218/world/isis-pharma-changes-unfortunate-name-to-avoid-confusion.596151|date=18 December 2015|access-date=11 February 2017|work=[[Times of Malta]]|location=[[Malta]]|oclc=220797156}}</ref>
Automobile performance part manufacturer ISIS Performance changed its name to ISR Performance after using it for 6 years to remove the negative connotation with its name. The change took place on November 17, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isrperformance.com/blog/isis-performance-na-llc-to-rebrand-to-isr-performance-parts-llc/|title=ISIS Performance NA, LLC to Rebrand to ISR Performance Parts, LLC|author=<!--none listed-->|website=ISRPerformance.com|publisher=ISR Performance Parts, LLC|date=November 16, 2015|access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://artofgears.com/2015/11/17/isis-performance-officially-changes-name-to-isr-for-obvious-reasons/|title=ISIS Performance Officially Changes Name To ISR For Obvious Reasons|last=Acoba|first=Paulo|website=Art of Gears|date=2015-11-17|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref>
The [[Denmark|Danish]] dessert company ISIS changed their name to EASIS, citing the "political connotations"<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.easisfoods.com/new-company-name|title=New company name|website=easisfoods.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506070659/http://www.easisfoods.com/new-company-name|archive-date=2016-05-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> their name would have on primarily export markets.<ref name="auto"/>
An Australian fit-out and refurbishment company changed its name to SHAPE, to coincide with the "best interests" of those involved with their business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shapegroup.com.au/rebrand.aspx|title=ISIS rebrands to SHAPE|website=shapegroup.com.au|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506154945/http://www.shapegroup.com.au/rebrand.aspx|archive-date=2016-05-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In June 2016, [[Finland|Finnish]] translation agency Isis Translations changed its name to Pauhu Ltd. to avoid [[denial of service attack]]s and problems with [[bank]] and [[PayPal]] payments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pauhu.fi/en/tone-of-voice/owner-gives-up-fight-finnish-isis-changes-its-name/|title=Owner gives up fight – Finnish Isis changes its name}}</ref>
==Organisations==
[[File:Rowing on the Isis.JPG|thumb|A language school in [[Oxford]] was named Isis after [[The Isis|the stretch of the River Thames]] which runs through the city]]
In 2014, an organisation in the Canadian province of [[Nova Scotia]] aimed at assimilating immigrants, previously known as Immigrant Settlement & Integration Services (ISIS), changed its name to Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). Its main concern about the former name was its appropriateness towards clients from Iraq and Syria, where ISIL are operative.<ref>{{cite news|title=ISIS Nova Scotia changes name to avoid terrorist group association|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/isis-nova-scotia-changes-name-to-avoid-terrorist-group-association-1.2840727|access-date=4 June 2015|publisher=CBC|date=19 November 2014}}</ref>
A language school in [[Oxford]], named Isis after [[The Isis|the city's stretch]] of the [[River Thames]], became the Oxford International Education Group in April 2015. Staff said that recruiting from the Middle East was made difficult by the name, and that people searching for their website may be put at risk.<ref>{{cite news|last=Coughlan|first=Sean|title=Language school ditches 'Isis' name|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-32381814|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|date=20 April 2015}}</ref>
In 2016, the [[Association for Information Systems]] (AIS) changed the pronunciation of its premier conference ICIS, International Conference on Information Systems, to "I See IS".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aisnet.org/news/news.asp?id=315593|title=Attend ICIS and Learn How I See IS - Association for Information Systems (AIS)|website=aisnet.org|language=en|access-date=2017-06-26}}</ref>
In 2016, an international non-profit organisation that responsible for online database of wild animals under human care &mdash; previously known as International Species Information System (ISIS) &mdash; changed its name to [[Species360]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://species360.org/2016/07/whats-in-a-name/|title=What's in a name?|publisher=Species360|last=Guenter|first=Jim|date=18 July 2016 |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref>
== Transportation ==
The former ''ISIS'' [[InterCity]] train of the Hungarian national railway company [[Hungarian State Railways|MÁV-START]], named after the Egyptian goddess, was renamed to ''Ízisz'' on 31 August 2015, reflecting the Hungarian spelling of the same word.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-28 |title=Hungarian InterCity "Isis" Could Be Renamed Due To Resemblance Of Terrorist Group |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-intercity-isis-renamed-due-resemblance-terrorist-group-75966/ |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Hungary Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MÁV-START Zrt. |title=3. sz. módosítás a 2014-2015. évi menetrendhez |url=https://www.mavcsoport.hu/sites/default/files/upload/page/3._sz._modositas_2015_08_13.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524074732/https://www.mavcsoport.hu/sites/default/files/upload/page/3._sz._modositas_2015_08_13.pdf |archive-date=2023-05-24 |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=MÁV-csoport |language=Hungarian}}</ref> The train was further renamed to ''Borostyánkő'' on 13 December 2015, distancing it completely from its original name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MÁV-START Zrt. |date=2015-12-01 |title=2015-2016. évi menetrend |url=https://www.mavcsoport.hu/sites/default/files/upload/page/2015-2016._evi_menetrend_0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524075812/https://www.mavcsoport.hu/sites/default/files/upload/page/2015-2016._evi_menetrend_0.pdf |archive-date=2023-05-24 |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=MÁV-csoport |language=Hungarian}}</ref>
==Entertainment==
The [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] animated series ''[[Archer (2009 TV series)|Archer]]'', first aired in 2009, revolves around the fictional International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS). In 2014, the sixth season of the show began with the characters being told that they now work for the [[CIA]]. Merchandise based on the fictional ISIS was withdrawn.<ref>{{cite news|title=This is how FX's 'Archer' will drop the ISIS name in its season six premiere|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/12/6967301/fx-archer-will-drop-isis-in-season-premiere|access-date=4 June 2015|work=The Verge|date=12 October 2014}}</ref>
A French rock band changed their name from Isis Child to Angel's Whisper as the attention on ISIL had overshadowed them on search engines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rise of Isis forces French rockers to change name|url=http://www.thelocal.fr/20150323/frances-isis-child-rock-group-changes-name|access-date=4 June 2015|work=The Local|date=23 March 2015}}</ref> An American [[Isis (band)|band named Isis]], which was disbanded in 2010, changed their Facebook name to "Isis the band" to avoid confusion. Some fans suggested that the band should change their name completely.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fans Of The 'ISIS' Rock Band Say They Won't Wear Their T-Shirts Anymore|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/rock-band-isis-threats-2014-8|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=23 August 2014}}</ref>
In December 2015, the name of the spaceship browser in the online multiplayer video game ''[[EVE Online]]'' was changed from "Interbus Ship Identification System" (ISIS) to "Ship Tree".<ref>{{cite news|title=EVE Online's Ship Browser Is No Longer Called ISIS|url=http://kotaku.com/eve-onlines-ship-browser-is-no-longer-called-isis-1746947152|access-date=9 December 2015|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=9 December 2015}}</ref>
The anime series ''[[Infinite Stratos]]'' also sometimes sparked controversy,{{Example needed|date=March 2023}} as its shortened name is "IS", which is sometimes confused with Islamic State.
In the [[multiplayer online battle arena]] video game [[Smite (video game)|''Smite'']], developer [[Hi-Rez Studios]] renamed the playable goddess Isis to Eset, citing concerns of demonetization on video platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Ben|title=Smite is renaming its goddess Isis to reduce concerns of demonetisation|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/smite-is-renaming-its-goddess-isis-to-reduce-concerns-of-demonetisation/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Gamereactor UK|date=6 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
==Given names==
{{expand section|date=April 2016}}
An Australian woman who named her daughter Isis after [[Isis|the Egyptian goddess]] stated it caused a rift in her family because the name is "now synonymous with terrorism and evil". An American woman named Isis initiated an online petition for the media to stop referring to ISIL as ISIS.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nsenduluka|first=Benge|title=Mother of Girl, 8, Named Isis, Says Unique Moniker Is 'Ruining Our Family;' Critics Demand Name Change|url=http://m.christianpost.com/news/mother-of-girl-8-named-isis-says-unique-moniker-is-ruining-our-family-critics-demand-name-change-127202/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[Christian Post]]|date=29 September 2014}}</ref>
In April 2015, the [[World Meteorological Organization]] removed [[Tropical Storm Isis|Isis]] from its list for the [[2016 Pacific hurricane season]], replacing it with "Ivette".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rice|first1=Doyle|title=Isis removed from list of hurricane names|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2015/04/20/isis-hurricane-names/26085533/|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[USA Today]]|date=20 April 2015}}</ref>
In November 2015, a soldier with the [[Canadian Armed Forces]] initially refused to sign a participatory certificate for nine-year-old Isis Fernandes who was attending a school field trip. The soldier only agreed to sign after commenting to the girl that he thought her name was not real and a bad joke. The soldier subsequently apologized and was removed from signing certificates for children in the future.<ref>{{cite news|title=A girl named Isis: 9-year-old Winnipegger 'bullied' by a soldier over her name|publisher=CTV News|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/a-girl-named-isis-9-year-old-winnipegger-bullied-by-soldier-over-her-name-1.2678064|access-date=8 May 2018|date=27 November 2015}}</ref>
== False attribution ==
The British television series ''[[Downton Abbey]]'' featured a dog named Isis after the goddess, who became ill in the show around the same time as other entities sought to distance themselves from ISIL. Actor [[Hugh Bonneville]] repudiated claims that the dog was being killed off due to its name, saying "Anyone who genuinely believes the series five storyline (1924) involving the animal was a reaction to recent world news is a complete berk."<ref name="complete berk"/> [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] called the name an "unfortunate coincidence".<ref name="complete berk">{{cite news|last1=Boyle|first1=Danny|title=Hugh Bonneville: 'Anyone who thinks Isis the dog is being killed off because of terror group is complete berk'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/downton-abbey/11211384/Hugh-Bonneville-Anyone-who-thinks-Isis-the-dog-is-being-killed-off-because-of-terror-group-is-complete-berk.html|access-date=4 June 2015|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=5 November 2014}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[Names of the Islamic State]]
*[[The Isis]], an alternative name for the [[River Thames]]
*''[[The Isis Magazine]]''
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
[[Category:Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]
[[Category:Naming controversies]]