• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Gen Z fled San Francisco for Texas and Florida. Now they’re turning ‘welcomer cities’ into the next big tech towns

2

Anthropic disables Fable and Mythos AI models after U.S. government bars it from giving foreigners access

3

Melinda French Gates' advice to new IPO millionaires: 'Give half your money away'

1

Gen Z fled San Francisco for Texas and Florida. Now they’re turning ‘welcomer cities’ into the next big tech towns

2

Anthropic disables Fable and Mythos AI models after U.S. government bars it from giving foreigners access

3

Melinda French Gates' advice to new IPO millionaires: 'Give half your money away'
Tech

Facebook’s name change is greeted with a big fat Meh-ta

By
Sophie Mellor
Sophie Mellor
and
Nicholas Gordon
Nicholas Gordon
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Sophie Mellor
Sophie Mellor
and
Nicholas Gordon
Nicholas Gordon
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 29, 2021, 6:31 AM ET

Embroiled in a mega-controversy, Facebook has rebranded itself under a new name: Meta.

The name change in Facebook’s parent company was unveiled by Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s annual Connect conference on Thursday afternoon after an hour-plus presentation highlighting Meta’s efforts to build out a VR-enabled “metaverse.” The Facebook name “just doesn’t encompass everything we do,” Zuckerberg explained in announcing the Meta move.

Despite the hype, tech observers and Facebook hawks aren’t so taken with the name change. And they’re certainly not ready to forget the ongoing Facebook Papers document leak from whistleblower Frances Haugen, which accuses Facebook—or now, Meta—of sowing societal dissent and continuously putting profits over user safety.

A key metaverse architect was little impressed with the big repositioning. But the most attention came from the toughest critics in the world—those on social media.

There have been a lot of Facebook and Zuckerberg memes through the years. There was the “Zuckerberg is a lizard person” era. There was “smoking brisket and ribs,” and even Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg getting handed a note in The Social Network made the rounds.

But with Meta, the jokes are a bit more heavy-handed.

Meta PR

A new MetaPR Twitter account was quick to crop up to reassure everyone that Facebook will be operating business as usual—warts and all.

Rest assured, our decision to change the company's name from #Facebook to #Meta does NOT mean we'll be changing who we are or how we operate.

We're the same shadowy, morally dubious tech company we've always been.

But hey, new name! #Metaverse

— MetaPR (@meta_PR1) October 29, 2021

Most are pessimistic of any meaningful change in Facebook’s culture at all.

pic.twitter.com/8b6egXpgt5

— Phil™ (@Henkepotamus) October 28, 2021

Facebook is so freaking cool pic.twitter.com/0YeUz3YyNx

— Matt Negrin, HOST OF HARDBALL AT 7PM ON MSNBC (@MattNegrin) October 26, 2021

Literary allusions

As Halloween approaches, a reference to Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece is welcomed.

actually Meta is the name of the company. Facebook is the monster

— BR⚢KE (@BabblingBrookeA) October 29, 2021

Of course, an out-of-context Succession reference earns points.

feeling meta pic.twitter.com/clLob5gmir

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 28, 2021

And there were references to the 2010 biographic David Fincher film, The Social Network.

drop the "verse". just "meta", its cleaner. pic.twitter.com/S9z8y3qoHB

— tyler (@technicallyty) October 29, 2021

The PlayStation play

Some on Twitter drew parallels between Meta and what Sony tried to accomplish with the short-lived PlayStation Home experiment. Launched in 2008 as an “open beta,” Home was designed as a social space where PlayStation users, through customizable avatars, could interact, host events, and play games together. Home became a moneymaking machine for Sony, as users could spend money on virtual items for their “apartments” and costumes for their avatar. Brands like Red Bull also got involved in selling virtual items and hosting events. Sony eventually closed down Home in 2015, without ever formally releasing the product.

Commenters on Twitter were quick to compare Facebook’s metaverse announcement—and the awkwardness of some of the character models—with Home. Tweets said Horizon was PlayStation Home “for crypto dorks” or “with a sinister atmosphere.” Social media users also compared Meta’s focus on NFTs with PlayStation Home’s use of microtransactions.

'imagine playstation home, but I, Mark Zuckerberg, was watching you constantly.' pic.twitter.com/S0k9xVn8i9

— Heather Anne Campbell (@heathercampbell) October 28, 2021

Can't believe Facebook has invented PlayStation Home

— Ryan T. Brown 🔜 WASD (@Toadsanime) October 28, 2021

BookFace

And then there are those who are just disappointed in the choice of name.

Was low-key hoping for book face

— Ⓜ️ (@shittalkermarco) October 28, 2021

More tech coverage from Fortune:

  • Thera-who? These biotech firms are looking to push what’s possible with blood
  • Teens have been losing interest in Facebook for years, data shows
  • Crypto project Worldcoin wants to give you coins in exchange for an eye scan
  • Lucid Motor’s Air EV finally hits the roads with a range that blows Tesla away
  • How Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen became the company’s worst nightmare

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Authors
Sophie Mellor
By Sophie Mellor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Nicholas Gordon
By Nicholas GordonAsia Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Nicholas Gordon is an Asia editor based in Hong Kong, where he helps to drive Fortune’s coverage of Asian business and economics news.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

The hottest debate on Wall Street right now: Does the flood of mega-IPOs and new shares signal a downturn ahead? That depends
InvestingIPOs
The hottest debate on Wall Street right now: Does the flood of mega-IPOs and new shares signal a downturn ahead? That depends
By Jason MaJune 13, 2026
7 hours ago
You can ignore AI giants like SpaceX, but your 401(k) won’t
Investingindex funds
You can ignore AI giants like SpaceX, but your 401(k) won’t
By Stan Choe and The Associated PressJune 13, 2026
9 hours ago
OpenAI hit with multistate probe into possible user harm, days after filing for a highly anticipated IPO
AIOpenAI
OpenAI hit with multistate probe into possible user harm, days after filing for a highly anticipated IPO
By Bernard Condon and The Associated PressJune 13, 2026
9 hours ago
‘It’s not a jailbreak’ — Research leading to U.S. export restrictions on top Anthropic models was for defense, cybersecurity CEO says
AIAnthropic
‘It’s not a jailbreak’ — Research leading to U.S. export restrictions on top Anthropic models was for defense, cybersecurity CEO says
By Jason MaJune 13, 2026
13 hours ago
More and more of Musk’s companies end up under the same roof. Here’s a look at his sprawling empire
C-SuiteElon Musk
More and more of Musk’s companies end up under the same roof. Here’s a look at his sprawling empire
By The Associated PressJune 13, 2026
16 hours ago
herrin
CommentaryInfrastructure
America just committed $1.2 trillion to fix its infrastructure. We’re still flying blind
By Gregg HerrinJune 13, 2026
20 hours ago

Most Popular

Gen Z fled San Francisco for Texas and Florida. Now they’re turning ‘welcomer cities’ into the next big tech towns
Real Estate
Gen Z fled San Francisco for Texas and Florida. Now they’re turning ‘welcomer cities’ into the next big tech towns
By Sydney LakeJune 13, 2026
21 hours ago
Anthropic disables Fable and Mythos AI models after U.S. government bars it from giving foreigners access
AI
Anthropic disables Fable and Mythos AI models after U.S. government bars it from giving foreigners access
By Jeremy KahnJune 13, 2026
1 day ago
Melinda French Gates' advice to new IPO millionaires: 'Give half your money away'
Startups & Venture
Melinda French Gates' advice to new IPO millionaires: 'Give half your money away'
By Emma HinchliffeJune 13, 2026
21 hours ago
SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen quietly engineered its historic IPO and became an overnight billionaire
C-Suite
SpaceX CFO Bret Johnsen quietly engineered its historic IPO and became an overnight billionaire
By Sasha RogelbergJune 13, 2026
23 hours ago
U.S. energy secretary says 7 million barrels of oil exiting Persian Gulf daily, but Chevron CEO rebuts the claim
Energy
U.S. energy secretary says 7 million barrels of oil exiting Persian Gulf daily, but Chevron CEO rebuts the claim
By Jordan BlumJune 12, 2026
1 day ago
Trump expects to sign a deal with Iran on Sunday, but Tehran may want to avoid giving him a gift on his birthday
Middle East
Trump expects to sign a deal with Iran on Sunday, but Tehran may want to avoid giving him a gift on his birthday
By Jason MaJune 13, 2026
10 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.