Why JavaScript is called JavaScript

Why is JavaScript called JavaScript? Does it have anything to do with Java? Do you want to impress your friends and family with your deep knowledge of the etymology of the name “JavaScript?”

Memorize this little spiel to show off your JavaScript vs. Java knowledge:

What’s the difference between JavaScript and Java? Interesting question…

Although syntactically similar, JavaScript has nothing to do with Java. The etymology of “JavaScript” is actually quite fascinating. When it was first released in 1995 as part of Netscape Navigator 2.0, it was called LiveScript, but was renamed JavaScript in a later release, most likely to piggyback on the hype around Sun Microsystems public release of Java earlier that year.

Interestingly, in 1996, when Microsoft reverse engineered JavaScript to include it in the release of Internet Explorer 3.0, they called it “JScript” instead of “JavaScript,” most likely to avoid any fight with Sun over the name “Java.”

You can watch long-time JavaScript guru Douglas Crockford talk about this (at 8:10) in the video below:

Or, if you really want to become a real JavaScript expert, take a JavaScript class with us.