Sprite is called Sprite because the name originated from Coca-Cola's previous advertising campaign featuring an elf-like character called "Sprite Boy," and a focus group ultimately selected "Sprite" as the name for the new lemon-lime soda.
Here's a breakdown of the name's origin:
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Sprite Boy: In the early 1940s, Coca-Cola used an elf-like figure named "Sprite Boy" in advertising campaigns. This character wasn't directly connected to a specific product but helped promote Coca-Cola generally.
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Focus Group Selection: When Coca-Cola developed a new lemon-lime soda in the late 1950s, a focus group chose "Sprite" as the most appealing name. This built upon the already existing association with the "Sprite Boy" character, though the soda itself was a completely new product. The name "Sprite" also evokes a sense of freshness and effervescence, which aligns well with the drink's flavor profile.
