The name “Kubernetes” comes from the Greek word meaning “helmsman”, a nautical/sailing term for the person who steers a ship.

The wheel of a ship is also called the “helm”, which is obviously where the Kubernetes logo comes from.

However, if you look closely, you will see that the Kubernetes logo has 7 spokes instead of the usual 6 or 8. This is because Kubernetes is loosely based on an internal Google tool called “Borg” and the founders wanted to name Kubernetes after the famous Borg drone “Seven of Nine”.