Hebrew Speakers Mock Facebook’s Name Change: ‘Meta’ Means Dead
Facebook’s new name doesn’t bode well for its future, at least in Israel.

Carlos Barria/File Photo via Reuters
Facebook’s new name doesn’t bode well for a long corporate life, according to Hebrew speakers, who took to social media in droves after the company revealed its new moniker, Meta, to the world. They pointed out the new name means “is dead” in Hebrew.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at a virtual news conference on Thursday that “Meta” will better “encompass” the company’s overall mission as it builds a “metaverse” for its users: “Over time, I hope that we are seen as a metaverse company and I want to anchor our work and our identity on what we’re building towards.” The name change followed explosive disclosures by whistleblower Frances Haugen, who’s accused the company of putting profit over safety time and time again.
Do you know what “meta” means in Hebrew?
— Sarah Evans 7️⃣7️⃣7️⃣ (@prsarahevans) October 28, 2021
Dead. She died.
No localization or translation testing on this rebrand?
Thanks for letting me know @Hila_Shitrit
Meta means "dead" in Hebrew (feminine adjective).
— Emmanuel Navon עמנואל נבון 🇮🇱 (@emmanuelnavon) October 28, 2021
Mark Zuckerberg must have slept through Hebrew class. pic.twitter.com/B7W9273EGK
Startup founders, remember to check that your company’s name does not mean something very bad in other languages.
— Amir Shevat (@ashevat) October 28, 2021
For example: “Meta” means “Dead” in Hebrew🤷♂️
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