Problem: Chosen name was generic and had bad connotations. ( apparently both "hacker" and "school" are considered bad currently ) Solution: Choose random geeky

Problem: Chosen name was generic and had bad connotations. ( apparently both "hacker" and "school" are considered bad currently ) Solution: Choose random geeky name where you can acquire the domain name. There is still a negative connotation to the name for anyone who understands what recursion is, and also perhaps for people who assume it is something similar to "repeat". The name has the feeling that you will be repeating stuff over and over there. While "Recurse Center" is certainly a step up from "Hacker School" in terms of branding, names generally are meaningless and are given meaning by using them. A person's name could have been used to similar effect. Props for improving the name, but I'm failing to see how so much text was needed to say "The name was generic and had bad connotations so we chose a better one." Stating that you actually chose a name because you could buy the domain name will just make you look bad.