Opera 12's Codename Is...

Norwegian developer Opera Software has recently announced that it selected a codename for what will eventually be Opera 12. But before we get into that, let’s take a quick look at the cool codenames Opera Software selected so far.

For Opera 11.10, Opera Software picked the codename Barracuda. As a little side note, Opera 11.10 was the first Opera version to get a codename. For its first pick, Opera Software went with barracuda, a sleek fish with a torpedo-like body, dagger-like teeth, and a ferocious appetite. Built to hunt in the ocean, it relies on surprise, agility, and bursts of speed to overtake its prey. The barracuda can even consume larger fish.


For Opera 11.50, which was released as a final version earlier this month and so far has been downloaded more than 32 million times, Opera Software went with the codename Swordfish. The swordfish is a highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill that can cut through the water with great ease and agility thanks to its streamlined physique.

And so we get to the bit that everyone’s been waiting for – the codename of the upcoming Opera 12 is, drum rolls please, Wahoo.

According to Wikipedia, the wahoo “is a scombrid fish found worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas. It is best known to sports fishermen, as its speed and high-quality flesh make it a prize game fish.”

Opera Software explained that it went with this name because of the subtropical weather at its HQ – pouring rain and relatively warm. 

In related news , Opera Software recently announced that it updated its Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers to version 6.1 and version 11.1 respectively. These latest versions add functionality the users have been asking for. ““We have a saying at Opera: Listen to our users,” said Dag Olav Norem, VP Product Management, Opera Software. “As a company, we are constantly listening to our users on what they want in their browser. So, to our most vocal consumers, thank you and keep the feedback coming!”