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Original · left

Meta (prefix)

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Meta Platforms

First in use: c. 2021

Meta / Meta (prefix) / Meta Platforms

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Canonical todayMeasuring…
Status—
Duplicate share · 12 mo—
Last crossover—
Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Greek "beyond" vs. Facebook's rebrand.

Which meaning of Meta is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Meta (prefix) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Meta Platforms arrived in 2021. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Meta (prefix)Meta Platforms
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Meta (prefix)

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Duplicate · c. 2021

Meta Platforms

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More duplicated terms

Business & startups