Origins of names Myth-buster

Python is named for comedians

Did you know Python is named after comedians, not a snake?

1989 · 21-sec read

"Do I have to like Monty Python's Flying Circus?"

Guido van Rossum started Python over the 1989 Christmas holidays at CWI in Amsterdam. He was reading the published scripts of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and wanted a name that was short, unique and slightly mysterious. The official FAQ still asks "Do I have to like Monty Python's Flying Circus?" Answer: "No, but it helps. :)"

Popular version vs. what really happened

Popular version

Popular version: named after the snake.

What really happened

Reality: named after Monty Python.

Why it matters

Short, unique, slightly mysterious: Guido's three naming criteria still make a solid checklist.

Sources

High confidence

Checked October 20, 2026.

General Python FAQ: Why is it called Python? (python.org) docs.python.org