While Ubuntu 24.10 has just launched, preparations for its successor are already in motion, and the codename for Ubuntu 25.04 has been disclosed.
In keeping with the alphabetical theme for codenames (which began with Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, and restarted with ‘A’ starting from 17.10), the codename for Ubuntu 25.04 will commence with the letter ‘P’…
- Hoping for a Piquant Pika? You might be surprised to learn that it wasn’t chosen.
- Longing for a Percipient Panda? You’ll be disappointed to find out it was skipped.
- Thinking a Plucky Puffin? might be more appealing? You’ll be glad to know…
Ubuntu 25.04 is officially named the ‘Plucky Puffin’.
Indeed, another feathered mascot is set to follow the path – or rather, the talon steps – of the ‘Oracular Oriole’. This marks only the second codename starting with ‘P’ in the history of Ubuntu, the first being Ubuntu 12.04 LTS ‘Precise Pangolin’.
So, what does it represent?
Meaning of the Ubuntu 25.04 Codename
“Plucky” is an adjective commonly used to describe someone or something displaying courage, determination, or confidence when faced with difficulties or challenges. In certain contexts, it also serves as a synonym for Gutsy, which was the adjective used for the Ubuntu 7.10 codename (and my very first experience with Ubuntu).
A “Puffin” refers to a small seabird that is recognized by its vibrant beak, striking black and white plumage, and compact figure. These birds are often informally referred to as “sea parrots” because of their coastal habitats and colorful beaks.
While the association between the name and the animal may not directly connect to the anticipated release as it once did, it’s possible that Ubuntu 25.04 will encounter and triumph over a variety of challenges during its upcoming development phase.
There have been discussions about the first public preview of an Ubuntu Core Desktop image set to debut in 2025…
Why does Ubuntu use codenames at all?
The version numbers of Ubuntu are based on dates. For instance, Ubuntu 25.04 is expected to be launched in the fourth month of 2025, which is April.
When Mark Shuttleworth initiated his Super Secret Debian Startup two decades ago, there wasn’t a set release date or version number. The development of the very first release required a codename to help commit code, cross-reference work, and engage in discussions.
As the inaugural version of Ubuntu was unlikely to be entirely flawless, it was destined to be released ‘warts and all’ – thus the name ‘warty’.
Initially, there was no animal mascot associated with it, raising the question: how did ‘warthog’ come into the picture?
The answer really depends on who you’re speaking to.
The “unclean” story I heard during a chat with a member of the original Ubuntu team suggested that while the developers were ‘sprinting’ in South Africa, the combination of the warm weather, heated laptops, and close quarters led to a bit of a distinct aroma in the room; hence, the team was fondly nicknamed ‘the warthogs’.
On the other hand, the “clean” narrative points out that the warthog is indigenous to Africa, where Ubuntu’s founder Mark Shuttleworth hails from. The term ‘Ubuntu’ itself has African roots, and much of the early development and sprint activities occurred in South Africa, close to Mark’s residence – quite the fitting connection, wouldn’t you say?
While the warthog plays a role in branding and marketing, it is also significant in Ubuntu’s development framework. Interestingly, the structure is somewhat hardcoded to recognize codenames represented in letters rather than digits – this is evidenced by the default Ubuntu wallpaper file name in every release still being warty_final.png.
Additionally, I can assure you that I will write “24.04” instead of “25.04” in the upcoming coverage because muscle memory is indeed a formidable force. If I were a developer merging code into a repository or amending a configuration file, such a typographical error could have serious consequences.
So, while some may find these codenames silly or trivial, they are a significant and enduring aspect of Ubuntu’s remarkable history.
Looking ahead, next year, Ubuntu’s whimsical spirit will be showcased by a Plucky Puffin.
What do you think?
- Prior to being known as Ubuntu, the operating system was commonly called by a different name ↩︎