When Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched NEOM in October, many wondered what the name of the mega project meant. The name “NEOM” is derived from two words. The first three letters from the Ancient Greek prefix neo-meaning “new”. The fourth letter is from the abbreviation of Mostaqbal, Arabic for “future.”

However, naming the project “NEOM” has an untold story.

According to NEOM’s website, Crown Prince Mohammed, who also is Chairman of the NEOM Board of Directors, discussed and deliberated with members of the project's Founding Board - in addition to experts and specialists in the field - about an appropriate name for such a project with a global outlook.

The list included 2,000 names, which was further reduced - as per the standards and requirements - to 150, and then reduced again to five. However, none of them was chosen or agreed upon.

During the Founding Board discussions, some members considered giving the project the name of the Crown Prince, the President of the Founding Board, either directly or by incorporating his name within the project name.

As such, two names were suggested: “NEOVIA MBS” and "NMBS," but the opinions of the members were split.

Eventually, the name NEOM was formed with the approval and endorsement of the Founding Board as the official name of the project; a true reflection of NEOM’s vision and the reality that will be achieved to contribute to building a promising future for future generations.

Read the full story at AAWSAT