genericization 05-20-2026

What does it take for a product brand name to become the generic name of the product itself? Wikipedia’s answer is “when a brand name becomes so widely recognized and used that it replaces the general term for a product or service.” The process is called: genericization. Examples are: Kleenex (facial tissue), Xerox (paper duplicate), Ziploc, Thermos, Chapstick, Band-aid, Vaseline…many more. Here’s another brand name: Christian. It was first used in first century Antioch labeling Jewish believers proclaiming the good news to this Gentile community. Christians were people who according to Acts 11:21 “The Lord’s hand was with them”. Take a moment and ask yourself, is that the “brand” most people today think of when they hear “Christian”? I brand myself a Christian! And I want Christian to become so genericized it becomes synonymous with compassion, forgiveness, honesty, selflessness so that it can be said of me, and my prayer you also, “the lord’s hand is with them”. PK