How Uniqlo got its name from a SPELLING error

What’s in a name?

In some cases more than meets the eye, clothing brand Uniqlo recently revealed.

In a video uploaded to TikTok – which has been viewed more than 1.9 million times – the company explains that the name is actually due to a spelling error.

In a series of overlay captions, the company informs viewers that it originally started out as the “Unique Clothing Warehouse.”

In an attempt to abbreviate the name, the company decided to combine the two words and register the brand under ‘Uniclo’.

In a series of overlay captions, the company informs viewers that it originally started out as the “Unique Clothing Warehouse”

In an attempt to abbreviate the name, the company decided to combine the two words and register the brand under 'Uniclo'

However, in 1988, the staff responsible for registering the brand name misread the 'C' for a 'Q'

In an attempt to abbreviate the name, the company decided to combine the two words and register the brand under ‘Uniclo’. However, a spelling error has been made

However, in 1988, the staff responsible for registering the brand name misread the ‘C’ for a ‘Q’ and ‘Uniqlo’ was born.

The TikTok goes on to explain that the error was never corrected, “the name stuck! And now we’re Uniqlo.”

Thousands of commentators have applauded the mistake.

One commenter wrote: ‘Q stands out more than C. Soooo! That’s a good mistake.’

While another said, “Love it, definitely ahead of their time with that play on words, even if it was a mistake to begin with.”

“Now so many companies have names that play with similar letters/sounds.”

Other viewers said the staff member who made the mistake should have been given a raise or promotion.

Uniqlo originally started as a textile company and was founded in 1949 in Yamaguchi, Japan.

Today, the company has more than 2,300 stores in 25 markets, including Japan

Today, the company has more than 2,300 stores in 25 markets, including Japan

The TikTok goes on to explain that the error was never corrected, “the name stuck!  And now we are Uniqlo'

The TikTok goes on to explain that the error was never corrected, “the name stuck! And now we are Uniqlo’

After being acquired by entrepreneur Tadashi Yanai, it opened its first clothing store in June 1984.

Today, the company has more than 2,300 stores in 25 markets, including Japan.

The company was the first part of Yanai’s multi-billion dollar Fast retailing group and now owns several other fashion brands such as Helmut Lang and Theory.

Like the Uniqlo story, a recent TikTok about the origin of the M&M brand name also went viral.

Claire Dinhut, who is from the US but lives in London, took to TikTok to explain the M&M ‘family drama’.

She revealed that the name of the chocolates stands for Mars and Murrie, named after chocolate heirs and business associates Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie.

Claire Dinhut, who is from the US but lives in London, took to TikTok to explain the M&M's 'family drama' and reveal where the name came from

Claire Dinhut, who is from the US but lives in London, took to TikTok to explain the M&M’s ‘family drama’ and reveal where the name came from

She revealed that the chocolates' iconic name stands for Mars and Murrie, after chocolate heirs and business associates Forrest Mars Sr.  and Bruce Murrie

She revealed that the chocolates’ iconic name stands for Mars and Murrie, after chocolate heirs and business associates Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie

Bruce was the son of Hershey executive William Murrie, while Forrest was the son of Mars founder Frank C. Mars.

In a clip, which garnered nearly 9,000 likes, she revealed that the story began when Forrest E. Mars got into a fight with his father, the original owner of Mars.

She further explained that the son visited Europe where he reportedly saw people enjoying chocolate covered in candies.

Not wanting to share his idea with his father when he planned to bring the idea to the US, he turned to his family’s rival, Hershey’s.

Claire further revealed that he had been making M&Ms with the son of the Hershey CEO, and the pair decided to name the brand after themselves.

She also claimed, “The reason it all exploded is that they made it right before World War II and in World War II they made a deal with the government that every soldier’s bag had M&Ms in it.”

M&Ms didn’t have their signature “M” stamp until 1950, and customers were encouraged to “look for the M on every piece” to make sure they were getting the real thing. Many were fascinated by the history of popular chocolate.