Google Reveals the Unexpected Story Behind the ‘Nano Banana’ AI Image Model
Google has revealed surprising details behind the naming of its widely popular AI image-generation model, “Nano Banana,” which has gained rapid attention for its advanced capabilities in high-precision image creation and editing.
According to Google, the name was chosen hastily late at night, as the Google DeepMind team rushed to integrate the model into a public AI testing platform where users evaluate models anonymously, without knowing their developer. The model’s technical name was “Gemini 2.5 Flash Image,” but the team needed a simple and memorable codename for the rapid launch.
“Nano Banana” was proposed and approved almost instantly, offering a playful yet distinctive identity that stood out during early testing. Google later explained that the name was not entirely random, as it reflected the model’s lightweight and fast performance, while also carrying a personal reference linked to the product manager who suggested it.
Initially released quietly, the Nano Banana model quickly drew attention for its powerful image-editing capabilities. Its unconventional name spread rapidly across social media platforms, further accelerating user interest and adoption.
As attention grew, Google officially embraced the name and later launched an enhanced version called “Nano Banana Pro” under its Gemini family of AI models, underscoring the growing importance of combining strong technical performance with a compelling and memorable brand identity in the AI sector.