Do You Know Why IKEA Furniture Has Such Strange Names? It's Not What Most People Think

Many people are puzzled by the peculiar names of IKEA furniture, often finding them difficult to remember or pronounce. However, there's a method to the madness, rooted in a deeply personal story involving the company's founder, Ingvar Kamprad.

Contrary to popular belief, these names are not arbitrary but part of a carefully designed system that reflects Kamprad's life experiences and practical needs.

Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, struggled with dyslexia, a learning difficulty that affects reading and writing. This personal challenge played a crucial role in the creation of IKEA's unique naming system. Kamprad found it difficult to work with traditional product codes or numbers, so he devised an alternative approach that would help him better identify and organize the vast range of products the company offered.

The solution was to assign names to products that were easier for him to recognize and remember. These names were drawn from familiar Swedish places, concepts, and even personal connections, making the system both functional and meaningful.

What's Behind The Naming System?

IKEA's product names are categorized based on the type of item they represent. For instance:

• Beds and Wardrobes: Named after Norwegian cities.
• Carpets: Inspired by Danish locations.
• Other Furniture Items: Often named after Swedish towns, villages, and geographical features.

For example, a wardrobe might be named after a Norwegian city like Oslo, while a carpet could carry the name of a Danish location. This system not only provided Kamprad with an easier way to manage his products, but it also added a layer of cultural depth and uniqueness to the brand that customers would come to recognize, even if they couldn't always pronounce the names correctly.

The Story Behind the Name "IKEA"

The name "IKEA" itself is a reflection of Kamprad's roots and his connection to his upbringing. The acronym is formed from a combination of his initials and the places that were significant in his early life:

• I stands for Ingvar (his first name).
• K stands for Kamprad (his last name).
• E refers to Elmtaryd, the name of the farm where he was raised.
• A stands for Agunnaryd, the village near his family's farm.

This naming convention not only personalizes the brand but also ties it back to the founder's heritage, making IKEA more than just a company name—it's a tribute to Kamprad's origins.

A Practical and Personal Solution

The seemingly odd names of IKEA products serve a practical purpose beyond just being distinctive. For Kamprad, who found traditional product labeling systems challenging due to his dyslexia, this method provided a way to keep track of and relate to the products on a personal level. Each name was chosen because it was something Kamprad could easily recall, whether it was the name of a familiar place or a concept tied to his native Sweden.

This system allowed Kamprad to maintain control and oversight over a growing range of products, ensuring that he could continue to manage his business effectively despite his learning difficulties. The naming system was a clever workaround that turned a potential obstacle into an integral part of the brand's identity.