Norak Biosciences lays claim to the first name change born in the new year, changing their name to Xsira Pharmaceuticals. What does Xsira mean? They don’t say in their press release. It’s possible that the X is meant to connote “extreme”, as in the naming strategy behind X-games or Xbox. “Sira” is a tome on the life of the Prophet Mohammed by the father of Arabian history, Ibn Izaak, penned back in the 9th century.

Another name change with religious overtones of a different faith is a bizarre double play. Baseball’s Anaheim Angels have renamed themselves “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,” which when translated from Spanish means “The The Angels Angels of Anaheim.” Only in La La Land.