One of the most persistent myths in tech history is that Wi-Fi stands for "Wireless Fidelity". In reality, the name was created by a marketing firm, , to give the technical IEEE 802.11x standards a catchy, consumer-friendly name. While early marketing occasionally used the slogan "The Standard for Wireless Fidelity," the term "Wi-Fi" itself is a standalone brand, not an acronym. Securing your WiFi network - Google Blog
Genericide occurs when a trademark becomes the generic name for the goods or services to which it relates. Famous victims include: wifi trademark
This strategic move reinforces trademark strength. By attaching a number to the trademark, the Alliance creates a "versioned" product. This encourages consumers to ask for "Wi-Fi 6" specifically, rather than generic "Wi-Fi," thereby strengthening the trademark's role as a source indicator of a specific quality of technology. One of the most persistent myths in tech