If you’ve been pronouncing IKEA product names wrong, you’re probably not alone. Millions of customers around the world have spent decades guessing their way through names like POÄNG, KLIPPAN and KALLAX.
Now, IKEA is taking the guesswork out of it. A new feature in the IKEA app lets customers hear how product names are pronounced, making it easier to explore one of the world’s most recognisable product ranges. Available across all markets and languages (except Swedish), the feature allows customers to listen to the pronunciation of product names directly in the app with a simple tap.
The update shines a light on a tradition that goes back to the early days of IKEA. Founder Ingvar Kamprad, who had dyslexia, introduced product names as a more memorable and practical alternative to numerical product codes often associated with products, as he struggled to remember them. Over time, this evolved into an IKEA unique naming system, where different product categories followed specific names, and eventually, themes.
Every name tells a story
Behind every IKEA product name is a system that has evolved over decades. What may sound unusual or unfamiliar at first is often connected to a specific theme, place, or Swedish word. In fact, the IKEA Museum notes that some product names can seem almost impossible to pronounce or understand outside Sweden – and sometimes even to Swedes themselves. Yet that sense of curiosity has become part of what makes IKEA names so distinctive.
The names are far from random. With thousands of new products and updates introduced each year, dedicated naming specialists follow established naming conventions that help organise the range. As the IKEA Museum describes it, there is “a method to the madness.” Different product categories are linked to different naming themes, creating a structured system that not only supports the naming process but also gives many products a story and identity of their own.
From familiar places and Swedish expressions to words inspired by nature and everyday life, IKEA product names often carry meanings that go beyond the product itself. Sofas and armchairs, for example, are often named after places in Sweden, while bathroom products draw inspiration from lakes and seas. Other names come from everyday Swedish words and expressions.
Here are just a few examples of the stories behind some well-known IKEA names: BILLY, one of IKEA’s most iconic products, is believed to have been named after Billy Liljedahl, an advertising manager who repeatedly pointed out that the range was missing a “proper” bookshelf. The result became one of the best-known bookcases in the world.
The inclusive OMTÄNKSAM collection takes its name from the Swedish word for being thoughtful or considerate – a fitting choice for a range developed together with ergonomists, physiotherapists, and healthcare researchers to make everyday life easier for more people.
Then there’s STOLLE, a decorative Dala horse-inspired ornament celebrating Swedish folk culture. In Swedish, stolle means someone a little silly or delightfully goofy – proof that IKEA names don’t always take themselves too seriously.
As IKEA expanded around the world, these distinctly Swedish names travelled with it, sometimes becoming cultural icons in their own right. Take BLÅHAJ, the beloved blue shark whose fanbase stretches far beyond Sweden. In fact, it travels the world with people everywhere – even if its name isn’t always pronounced quite the Swedish way.
How did the feature come about?
The idea began at an IKEA app hackathon, where co-workers were looking for simple ways to solve real customer challenges. One problem felt especially IKEA: customers and co-workers around the world were struggling with Swedish product names. So, the team asked a simple question – what if the app could help people say them?
“This started when we were working on the collection NYTILLVERKAD, and several people on our team had a really hard time pronouncing it,” says Filip Larsson, Software Engineer.
That moment sparked the winning hackathon idea: adding a pronunciation button to product pages in the IKEA app. Thanks to Software Engineers Filip Larsson and Valery Sokalau, the feature found its way from hackathon concept into the IKEA app.
Today, millions of customers and co-workers see IKEA product names every day, navigating unfamiliar letters, sounds, and accents. By bringing pronunciation directly into the app experience, IKEA is making that interaction a little easier, while staying true to a tradition that has been part of the company’s identity for decades.
Since going live in February 2026, the function is available in all languages in the app, except for Swedish (for obvious reasons). The feature is currently being used by 8,000 people globally, every day!
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations in 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents 87% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com.
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