Project Naming

This document captures the research and reasoning that informed the project’s name. It exists so contributors can understand why the project is called what it is, what alternatives were considered, and what risks were identified.

The brief

We needed a name for a Python package that:

  • Manages one or more Bluetti power stations over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

  • Exposes a CLI for scanning, connecting, reading status, sending commands, and running long-lived service modes

  • Aspires to grow a web UI, NUT/UPS integration, and tighter Home Assistant integration

  • May eventually support adjacent vendors (Anker Solix, Jackery, EcoFlow)

Hard constraints:

  1. Must not infringe Bluetti’s trademark

  2. Must be available on PyPI and GitHub

  3. Should not collide with prominent existing brands, software projects, or trademarks in adjacent domains

The short-list

Five names were short-listed:

Name

Verdict

Key Issue

kilowatch

Ruled out

Registered US trademark in our exact category

voltkeeper

Selected

Clean across all dimensions

wattling

Ruled out

Means wickerwork or poultry anatomy

jouled

Backup

Pronunciation ambiguity (“joold” vs “jowld”)

amperage

Ruled out

Too generic, SEO competition

Why voltkeeper

  • PyPI: free

  • USPTO: no exact match in adjacent classes

  • GitHub: no squatter

  • Domains: .com is parked-for-sale, others free

  • Internet: low noise, no competing product or brand

  • Friendly cross-language profile

  • Unambiguous pronunciation and spelling

  • Aligns with the project’s ambition — NUT/UPS mode, shutdown watchdog

  • Vendor-neutral: survives expansion beyond Bluetti

Residual risks

  • VoltKeep Tesla telemetry iOS app (no trailing -er) — different product space

  • “Volt” is a heavily-used stem (Chevy Volt, VoltDB, Volt Europa) — users need to search for “voltkeeper” specifically

Fallback names

If voltkeeper is ever blocked:

  1. jouled — accept the pronunciation tax

  2. A fresh round focused on invented words (voltique, voltify, amperic)

Methodology

Trademark searches: Justia Trademarks, Trademarkia, USPTO public records. PyPI availability: HTTP 404 check. Domain availability: HTTP probe + search cross-reference. No paid trademark searches were performed.