Everyone knows what the Snapchat logo is, even if it has changed a little over the years or we’ve grown out of it. Why companies chose their logo is often pretty obvious, but that’s not necessarily the case with this logo. Even more so, it even has a name. We can explain the choice behind the logo and tell you what the name of the Snapchat ghost is.
It’s not often that logos have an actual character, particularly on social media — but Snapchat is a little different. If you’ve ever thought there was more behind the ghost logo, then you would be right. Though the app definitely shaped our teens, now you’re at university you may have drifted away from it a little. Well here are some facts to pull you right back in.
What Is The Name Of The Snapchat Ghost?
The ghost icon is reportedly called ‘Ghostface Chillah’, not-so-subtly influenced by a musician.
CEO Evan Spiegel was a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan when developing Snapchat and so when he came up with the logo, he tied it to rapper Ghostface Killah — changing the last word to Chillah instead.
Dennis Coles, better known as under his rapper pseudonym, is an American rapper. After finding success with the hip-hop group, he went on to have a solo career as well.
Now, the Snapchat logo is pretty well-known for being associated with that name.
Explanation Behind The Snapchat Logo
Knowing the name of the Snapchat ghost is one thing, but knowing its meaning is something else.
With Facebook, the ‘f’ logo is pretty self-explanatory. This is the same with Instagram, with the meaning behind the camera fairly obvious.
However, a ghost isn’t as obvious, but it does make perfect sense.
Money Inc report that Snapchat first began under the name ‘Picaboo’, relating to the short amount of time you can see the uploads. It was at that point that the Snapchat Ghost was first designed, reportedly drawn by Spiegel himself. When you see the ghost with the ‘boo’ of the original name, it all comes together.
Even though the name changed, the meaning behind the logo goes beyond that. Other theories suggest that the logo is a ghost because of the short lifespan of the photos; it references the photo’s ‘death’ from the platform and friends’ eyes once time has run out.
Since it was first introduced, the little ghost has lost his face, simply becoming a silhouette instead of a character. The reason for this bigger change in design isn’t known, but the logo will always be known as Ghost Chillah.
With all this information, it’s clear why the logo for Snapchat is a ghost, even tying into its name.
Lots of us used Snapchat in our teens, so it may be that we’ve phased out of it now. Instead, we have some useful trivia to tell our younger siblings. No doubt they’ll just roll their eyes at us though, still — it could be a good question for the student union pub quiz.