The origin of the name "cloud" depends on the context. The word has multiple origins, stemming from its use to describe both meteorological phenomena and, more recently, computing concepts.
Meteorological Origin
The most straightforward origin refers to the English term for visible water vapor in the atmosphere. As noted by The Bump https://www.thebump.com/b/cloud-baby-name, this is the most obvious meaning. Furthermore, FamilySearch [https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname?surname=cloud] notes that the word can be traced back to the Old English word "clūd," originally meaning "rock" before later being applied to vapor formations. The Met Office [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/clouds/cloud-names-classifications] details the naming conventions for different cloud types, reflecting a long-standing tradition of classifying and naming these atmospheric formations.
Name Origin
Beyond its meteorological meaning, "Cloud" can also function as a surname with various origins. Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=cloud] and Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_(surname)] indicate that it's a surname found in early England and some Native American families. One possible origin traces back to the ancient Germanic name Hlodald, meaning "famous rule," as found in sources like Ancestry.com. The Bump https://www.thebump.com/b/cloud-baby-name also mentions the Germanic name Chlodowald, meaning “man of great wisdom,” as a possible origin for the given name.
Computing Origin
In the context of computing, the term "cloud" is a metaphor. As explained by Office Solutions IT [https://www.officesolutionsit.com.au/blog/why-is-it-called-the-cloud], the term "cloud computing" emerged from the use of stylized cloud drawings to represent networks in computing diagrams. This metaphorical usage evolved into a common term for internet-based computing services. The UX Stack Exchange [https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/37669/what-s-the-origin-of-the-metaphor-cloud] further supports this explanation. The abstract nature of the "cloud" in computing reflects the user's lack of direct interaction with the underlying infrastructure.
