Amazon: The Story Behind the World’s Largest Online Marketplace

Brand Overview

Brand Name: Amazon
Founded: 1994
Founder: Jeff Bezos
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
Industry: E-commerce, Cloud Computing, Digital Services

Meaning & Origin of the Name

The name Amazon was inspired by the Amazon River, the largest river in the world. Jeff Bezos chose the name to reflect his ambition to build the world’s largest online bookstore, which later evolved into the world’s largest e-commerce platform. The name conveys scale, power, and abundance. It also starts with the letter “A”, giving it an advantage in alphabetical listings—an intentional branding decision.

How the Name Was Coined

Originally, Bezos considered names like Cadabra (from “abracadabra”), but abandoned it due to misinterpretation risks. Using a dictionary-based brand name generator approach, he landed on Amazon, a simple, memorable, and globally resonant name that aligned with long-term expansion beyond books.

Hidden Branding Elements

Amazon’s logo features a smile-shaped arrow from A to Z, symbolizing that the company sells everything from “A to Z” while also representing customer satisfaction. The brand color palette—black and orange—signals authority, affordability, and friendliness.

Business Growth & Success

Amazon began as an online bookstore and rapidly expanded into electronics, fashion, logistics, entertainment, and cloud computing (AWS). AWS is now one of the most profitable cloud platforms globally. Amazon’s relentless focus on customer experience, innovation, and scalability drove its exponential growth.

Net Worth & Ownership

Amazon is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: AMZN). As of recent estimates, Amazon’s market capitalization exceeds $1 trillion, making it one of the most valuable brands in the world.

Brand Facts

• Amazon Web Services powers millions of businesses globally

• Known for data-driven innovation and automation

• One of the strongest examples of scalable brand name ideas