Anatomy of a Name
Zima
What is it about the Zima name that makes it so effective and evocative?
First, there are two implications:
"Zima" is the Russian word for "winter."
Russian vodka is the quintessential clear alcoholic beverage, associated with both the aristocracy and the common man.
Second, there are some specific reasons related to the word’s construction, including:
Syllable structure: two perfect syllables, each consisting of a consonant (C) and a vowel (V). The resulting prosodic shape of this name (CVCV) is the universally preferred shape for words in all languages.
Stressed syllable (“zee”) plus stressless syllable (“ma”): As one of three ways of making a nickname in English, it also allows the name to be easily personalized. Since it already sounds like a nickname, Zima becomes a great bar-call.
Zima has nothing but straight, angular letters (no O, R, S, B, D, etc.): This orthographic structure reinforces the clarity, light taste and simplicity of the beverage.