Documentation of the naming brainstorm for our local knowledge graph project.

Goal

Find a marketable product name for @research/graph - something that could work as branding if the project were released publicly.

Requirements

  • Easy to pronounce and spell
  • Memorable and distinctive
  • Conveys the right meaning (structure, connections, knowledge)
  • Not already heavily used in the dev tools space
  • Works for branding (CLI, SDK, docs site)

Candidates Explored

Direction 1: Descriptive (Graph + Feature)

NameMeaningAssessment
GraphMarkGraph + MarkdownClear but generic
ClearGraphTransparencyToo literal
ResearchGraphDirectBoring, limits scope

Direction 2: Solid/Foundational

NameMeaningAssessment
GraphiteCarbon formLiked - but already used
ObsidianVolcanic glassDev-friendly, but Obsidian.md exists
SlateClean surfaceClean but common
FlintSparks fireInteresting but obscure connection
LatticeRepeating structureSELECTED

Direction 3: Elegant/Multi-dimensional

NameMeaningAssessment
FacetGem surfaceLiked - but already used
PrismLight refractionNice but may conflict
VertexConnection pointToo mathematical
LumenLight unitClean but no graph connection

Direction 4: Knowledge/Neural

NameMeaningAssessment
SynapseBrain connectionGood but overused in tech
CortexBrain layerPremium feel, maybe too medical
DendriteNeuron branchToo obscure
CodexAncient bookNice but common in AI space

Direction 5: Playful/Creative

NameMeaningAssessment
GraphitiGraffiti + GraphLiked - but already used
GraphemeSmallest written unitHard to pronounce
GlyphSymbolShort but weak connection

Direction 6: Organic Networks

NameMeaningAssessment
MyceliumFungal networkInteresting but long
RhizomeRoot networkPhilosophical, niche

Final Selection: Lattice

Why Lattice?

  1. Meaning fits perfectly: A lattice is a regular, repeating structure of interconnected points - exactly what a knowledge graph is

  2. Clean and professional: Easy to say, easy to spell, no pronunciation ambiguity

  3. Memorable: Short (7 letters), distinctive, not overused

  4. Extensible branding:

    • lattice sync
    • lattice search
    • @lattice/core
    • lattice.dev

  5. Scientific but accessible: Has academic credibility without being obscure

Visual Representation

    ●───────●───────●
    │       │       │
    │       │       │
    ●───────●───────●    ← A lattice: regular, interconnected points
    │       │       │
    │       │       │
    ●───────●───────●

This mirrors exactly what a knowledge graph does: entities (nodes) connected by relationships (edges) in a structured pattern.

Rejected Favorites

These names were liked but couldn’t be used:

NameReason for Rejection
GraphiteAlready in use
FacetAlready in use
GraphitiAlready in use

Next Steps

  • Check domain availability (lattice.dev, getlattice.dev, uselattice.dev)
  • Check npm availability (@lattice/*, lattice-graph)
  • Check GitHub org/repo availability
  • Rename package from @research/graph to new name
  • Update documentation references
  • Update CLI command (bun graph → bun lattice?)

Naming Session

  • Date: 2025-11-27
  • Participants: Developer + Claude
  • Duration: ~15 minutes
  • Method: Iterative brainstorming with feedback loops