Do you know how a version of Android is named? Many of you do, I'm sure. It's done by alphabetical order, and always with him name of a dessert, which begins with the corresponding letter. How did this all begin? Whose idea was it? Petit Four it was the first dessert, or sweet, that gave its name to a version of Android. But now they call it Banana Bread.
The world of developers is full of eccentricities. Steve Jobs himself (I know, he wasn't a developer) is a clear example of this. But Google couldn't be any different. The smart glasses company couldn't have had a less interesting story for what is now one of its most successful products. Android. As for operating systems, we find Apple, which names animals; Ubuntu, which follows the same line as those from Cupertino; Microsoft and its apparent dyslexia in naming its versions of Windows; and Google, which names candy names to its Android versions. This latest one stands out. Why name a dessert after an operating system version? How will it be received by users? What does this have to do with the name, with Android?
Well, all those questions that one would think would have been asked at Google before naming the versions of its operating system, were not asked. The most curious thing is that this name has come to replace the numerical indication of the version itself in popular conversation, which is why it ultimately had incredibly great significance. And this very important detail, this name that generates articles and more articles when a new version is discussed, corresponds to a most picturesque story.
The first version that received the name of dessert was Android 1.1, and she was called Petit Four. What are Petit Fours? They're pepitos, or pastries. In Spain, they're these filled pastries sold in a large number of confectioneries and always present at family meals. The Android Product Manager, when Android 1.1 was ready to be compiled, decided to give them that name because, quite simply, he liked them. Based on that logic, Android 1.1 was named Petit Four, although only internal level.
Initially, the first versions of Android that already had a name received the titles of Astro Boy and Bender. As you can see, there is an alphabetical order. This is all because with an operating system called Android, it was best to name robots or androids famous versions of this. However, that was quickly left behind.
Now, what is Android 1.1 called now? We say this because Android 1.1 is no longer called Petit Four. Obviously, it broke with everything, since it didn't follow any kind of alphabetical order, but I did like the idea of ​​giving a dessert a name. Finally, Android 1.1 was named Banana Bread, banana bread, a type of bread that can be sweet or savory. And Google decided change the names of previous versions Cupcake, the first to follow the pattern of alphabetical desserts, so they would fit together. So, Astro Boy, Bender, and Petit Four. Currently what exists is Android 1.0 Apple Pie As a first version, it's curious that they decided to include the name of the Cupertino company; and Android 1.1 Banana Bread. The rest of you know him well, although at some point we may talk about it in more detail.
At the time, many pointed to Key Lime Pie as a logical candidate for the letter K, although the public version eventually adopted the name KitKat, a decision that showed that, in addition to following the alphabet, Google also played with surprise.
From famous robots to desserts: this is how the tradition was born
The tradition was consolidated since Cupcake (1.5), the first version to popularize the sweet, alphabetical scheme. That fit with Android's DNA: an open system, with cultural nods, approachable and fun. Before that, internal names like Astro Boy y Bender made sense because of the robotic theme, but the community enthusiastically adopted the language of desserts because it was memorable, easy to communicate and visually useful in campaigns and statues.
During its first cycles, Android launched new features with a lot of frequencyIt was common to jump from Donut to Éclair to Froyo in a short time. Later, the project stabilized into a annual rhythm of major updates, which simplified support for manufacturers and operators. There were even constant jokes and speculations: for the letter H, a hypothetical Horchata and for the K it circulated strongly Key Lime Pie, although they did not prosper.
From candy to number: why Google changed its public name
When it was the turn of the letter Q, Google decided that the version would be publicly called Android 10, without dessert. The reason? Several reasons have been consistently explained: desserts are not universal (not all cultures recognize the same sweets), pronunciation and translation generate ambiguities, and the number scheme "10, 11, 12..." makes it easy for any user to understand Speed If your phone is up to date. Saying "Android 11 is later than Android 10" avoids questions like "Pie vs. Oreo."
Of course, the tradition hasn't disappeared entirely. Since Android 10, Google has maintained the dessert names as internal codenames, useful for repositories, technical documentation, and team coordination. The community has identified, among others, quince tart (associated with Android 10), Red velvet cake (Android 11), Snow cone (Android 12), Tiramisu (Android 13), Upside Down Cake (Android 14), Vanilla Ice Cream (Android 15), Baklava (Android 16) and Cinnamon Bun (Android 17). Some sources mentioned alternatives such as Queen Cake o Quindim for the Q, but the most referenced in the code has been quince tart.
List of Android versions and their desserts
Below is a letter-ordered review, combining the historical name and internal codenames where applicable. The goal is to give you a complete overview. Apple Pie to the most recent internal names:
- A: Android 1.0 Apple Pie (internal historical adjustment).
- B: Android 1.1 Banana Bread (formerly internal as Petit Four).
- C: Android 1.5 Cupcake.
- D: Android 1.6 Donut.
- E: Android 2.0/2.1 lightning.
- F: Android 2.2 Froyo (Frozen Yogurt).
- G: Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
- H: Android 3.0 Honeycomb.
- I: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
- J: Android 4.1–4.3 Jelly Bean (in internal documentation it appeared Project Jandycane).
- K: Android 4.4 KitKat (surprised compared to the expected Key Lime Pie).
- L: Android 5.0 Lollipop.
- M: Android 6.0 marshmallow.
- N: Android N 7.0 nougat.
- O: Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo.
- P: Android 9 Floor.
- Q: Android 10 (quince tart, internal; they were considered Queen Cake y Quindim).
- R: Android 11 (Red velvet cake, internal).
- S: Android 12 (Snow cone, internal).
- T: Android 13 (Tiramisu, internal).
- U: Android 14 (Upside Down Cake, internal).
- V: Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream, internal).
- W: Android 16 (Baklava, internal).
- X: Android 17 (Cinnamon Bun, internal).
Curiosities: statues, Easter eggs and code names
With each release, Google celebrated its playful side by installing Bugdroid statues themed with the dessert of the moment in their Mountain View gardens. Over time, some were removed to maintenance and relocation, but they remain part of Android folklore. In the system itself, the Easter eggs of each version include nods to the name: from Jelly Bean animations to references to KitKat u Oreo.
The inner sweets continue to appear in source code, repositories and technical documentation. That's why you'll see mentions of Vanilla Ice Cream, Baklava o Cinnamon Bun in AOSP changes and development tools. While these nicknames may not appear in public campaigns, they help engineers quickly identify branches, modules and artifacts during the development cycle.
This mix between a more public communication clara (numbers) and an internal identity sweet (desserts) keeps alive a tradition that began almost by chance with Petit Four and which, over time, became an Android trademark. The result is a delightful story that combines alphabetical order, popular culture, and a community that still enjoys guessing the next dessert, even though today, officially, the name that matters is a number.
