There’s no denying that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is a visionary leader and no one would deny his remarkable return to the company he co-founded. But things may have turned out a little differently if his original name for the iMac had stuck.

A few months ago, former creative director Ken Segall of ad agency TBWA\Chiat\Day revealed that Steve Jobs’ first major new product out the door after his return, the iMac, originally had a “bloodcurdling” name -- but refused to say what it was.

“Jobs said he was betting the company on the machine and so it needed a great name,” Segall explained in November. “He suggested one at the meeting, but it was terrible. It would curdle your blood.”

According to 9to5Mac, Segall famously came back with five alternate names, including the one we know today, iMac. Jobs rejected the suggestions and forged ahead with his first choice -- until he was unable to secure the name from MidiMan, who had a MIDI music interface using the same “bloodcurdling” name.

As Gizmodo reveals, the original name for the iMac was -- MacMan! “If this is true -- and it rings real to me -- I’m glad the owner declined,” Gizmodo explains. “Just imagine if they called that bond blob the ‘MacMan.’ We would still be hearing the echoes of the worldwide laughter.”

Does that mean the iPod would have gone on to be called “MusicMan” and the iPhone would have been called “PhoneMan”? iLife would be called “MacLife”? Hey, that last one doesn’t sound too bad at all...

Image courtesy of 9to5Mac.com