PostmarketOS is rebranding as Nura
postmarketOS is now Nura
The operating system previously known as postmarketOS has officially undergone a rebranding. The announcement was made during a "mystery talk" at the project's own conference, concluding a selection process that spanned a year and a half.
The Origin of "Nura"
The name Nura is derived from Nuraghe, which are prehistoric granite towers found in Sardinia, Italy, dating back to 3000 BC or earlier.
The Philosophy: Much like the Nuraghe structures that have withstood the test of time, Nura symbolizes stability and endurance. This aligns perfectly with the project's core mission: ensuring that hardware remains functional and useful for as long as possible.
The suggestion was submitted by community member Davide Depau during the initial call for naming contributions.
Why the Change?
While the original name served the project well during its growth, it eventually became a hindrance. The team identified several key issues:
| Issue | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Long and difficult to pronounce in various languages. | Hindered global outreach and memorability. |
| Formatting | Awkward casing (lowercase p and m, uppercase OS). | Led to inconsistent writing (e.g., Postmarketos, PostMarketOS). |
| Scope | The name was too descriptive of a specific niche. | Became inaccurate as the OS began shipping pre-installed (e.g., on PINE64 PinePhones). |
| Legal | Descriptive names are generally ineligible for trademarks. | Left the project unable to protect users from fraudulent clones or misaligned actors. |
The Selection Journey
The transition from the initial announcement in March 2025 to the final reveal in mid-2026 took longer than expected. This was due to the need for a broad consensus, the involvement of trademark attorneys, and the desire to sync the launch with their conference.
The Process Flow
The final decision was made via range voting (on a scale from to ). Nura emerged as the winner with a mean score of:
Digital Identity & Branding
The Domain Dilemma
The team attempted to acquire Nura.org, but the owner refused to sell it for a reasonable price. Consequently, they opted for a .eco domain.
- Why
.eco? It is reserved for entities committed to positive environmental change. - Accountability: The domain has strict policies to prevent "greenwashing," adding a layer of integrity to the project's ecological goals.
The Logo Evolution
The team decided to keep the original logo's concept but applied several refinements:
- Legibility: Increased spacing between the arrows for better visibility from a distance.
- Precision: The logo is now mathematically constructed, meaning it can be perfectly reproduced using geometric formulas.
/* Conceptual representation of the logo update */
.logo {
spacing: increased;
construction: mathematical;
visibility: high;
}
Community Call to Action
The rebranding is a massive undertaking, and some instances of the old name may still persist across the ecosystem. The team is asking for help to finalize the transition.
How you can help:
- Submit Merge Requests to update "postmarketOS" to "Nura" in the code or documentation.
- Open Issues to alert the team to missed branding in places you cannot edit yourself.
By moving toward a name that is easier to write, speak, and protect, the project hopes to expand its reach beyond the core hacker community and into the wider world.