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What does the ‘i’ in iPhone name mean? Apple itself revealed this secret
Samira Vishwas | October 26, 2025 6:24 PM CST

New Delhi: The iPhone is one of the world’s most popular smartphones, and the ‘i’ letter in its name has become its hallmark. This ‘i’ is common in many Apple products, including the iMac, iPad, and iPod. But have you ever wondered what this ‘i’ actually means?

It’s not just an alphabet, but a whole story and Apple’s vision, linked to the early days of the internet. Let’s learn about this biggest secret of the iPhone’s name. This alphabet has become an essential part of Apple’s product line. It has a special story. Apple first introduced the ‘i’ with its iMac computer. At the time, the company explained that the ‘i’ wasn’t just an alphabet, but had multiple meanings.

The story began with the iMac

The story of this ‘i’ letter begins in 1998, when Apple launched its iMac computer. This was a time when the internet was slowly reaching the homes of ordinary people. At that time, Apple announced that the ‘i’ in the name of this new computer had not one, but five meanings.

It wasn’t just an alphabet, but a representation of the company’s entire vision. Apple wanted to convey that its devices weren’t just machines, but tools that could improve human life. This ‘i’ became such a part of Apple’s identity that whenever a new personal device was launched, it was included in its name.

So, what are the five meanings of ‘i’?

Internet: Its first and foremost meaning was the Internet. The iMac was one of the first computers that made connecting to the internet extremely easy.

Individual: This meant that this device was for personal use, meaning ‘your own personal computer’.

Instruct: Meaning, this device will help you learn and teach. It’s also an educational tool.

Inform: It will inform you and keep you connected to the world.

Inspire: And finally, it will inspire you to do something new and creative.

So when Apple launched products like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod, the ‘i’ prefix was retained (though this tradition changed with the Watch and TV). This indicated that all these devices were based on the same five principles.

What does ‘i’ mean today?

Today, the meaning of ‘i’ has gone beyond these five letters. It has now become a core part of Apple’s brand identity. When we see an iPhone or iPad, we immediately recognize it as an innovative, premium, and user-friendly product from Apple.


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