5. Asus



Don't look now, but your computer may be named after a winged horse.

Asus -- founded, coincidentally enough, by some guys who used to work at the similar-sounding Acer -- got its name from Greek mythology. The title is taken from the final letters of "Pegasus," the magical creature born out of the blood of Medusa.

Asus's creators say they chose Pegasus because they felt their company would "embod[y] the strength, creative spirit, and purity symbolized by this regal and agile mythical creature, soaring to new heights of quality and innovation with each product it introduces to the market." Yikes -- is it just me, or does this explanation sound a bit like a mythical tale itself?

Inspiration aside, the shortening of Asus comes down to an alphabetical advantage: According to a 2008 interview with company founder Jonney Shih, the Asus assembly decided an "A"-name would be the wisest way to go.

Guess they didn't want to suffer the same fate as Xuthus, Zetes, and all those other oft-forgotten figures at the end of the alphabet.