The workflow automation platform n8n has two officially correct pronunciations: ‘n-eight-n’ (en-eyt-en) and ‘nodemation’ (nohd-mey-shuhn). ‘N-eight-n’ is the literal, phonetic way to say the name, while ‘nodemation’ is the original concept name, a portmanteau of ‘node’ and ‘automation’, which was ingeniously shortened to the numeronym n8n. Both are accepted and used by the founder, the team, and the community.
The Great Debate: How Do You Actually Say n8n?
If you’ve spent any time in automation circles, you’ve probably heard it both ways. I’ve been in meetings where one person calls it ‘n-eight-n’ and the next calls it ‘nodemation’ without anyone batting an eye. It’s one of those quirky little things that makes our community unique. But for newcomers, it can be a source of genuine confusion. Which one is right? Are you going to sound like you don’t know what you’re talking about if you use the “wrong” one?
Let’s be honest, it’s a valid question. The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue in an obvious way. So, let’s settle this once and for all, straight from the source. According to the official n8n press guidelines, there are two correct ways to pronounce n8n:
- n-eight-n: The literal, say-what-you-see approach.
- nodemation: The original, conceptual name with a cool backstory.
That’s it. Both are correct. You can officially stop worrying. But the story of why there are two names is where things get really interesting.
The Story Behind “Nodemation”
To understand the dual pronunciation, we have to go back to the beginning with n8n’s founder, Jan Oberhauser. When creating this powerful tool, he was looking for a name that captured its essence. He landed on “nodemation”—a perfect blend of its core concepts:
- Node: Reflecting the visual, node-based workflow editor and its underlying Node.js technology.
- Mation: Short for ‘automation,’ which is, of course, the entire purpose of the tool.
It was a great name! Descriptive, clever, and meaningful. But it had one small, practical problem. As Jan himself noted, it was a bit long to type into a command-line interface (CLI) over and over again. Any developer can sympathize with that! Efficiency is key, right?
The Birth of a Numeronym
This practical need for a shorter name led to the creation of ‘n8n’. But how do you get from ‘nodemation’ to ‘n8n’? This isn’t a phonetic shortening; it’s a type of abbreviation called a numeronym.
A numeronym is a word where numbers are used to shorten it. The ‘8’ in n8n represents the eight letters that are between the first ‘n’ and the last ‘n’ in the word ‘nodemation’.
n-(o-d-e-m-a-t-i-o)-n -> n-(8 letters)-n -> n8n
This clever trick is common in the tech world. It’s a bit of an inside joke for those who know the pattern. This explains the confusion seen in places like GitHub, where users have asked, “Does 8 translate to something that sounds like ‘odematio’?” The answer is no, it just counts the letters!
Here’s how it compares to other famous tech numeronyms:
| Numeronym | Full Word | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| n8n | nodemation | ‘n’ + 8 letters + ‘n’ |
| k8s | kubernetes | ‘k’ + 8 letters + ‘s’ |
| i18n | internationalization | ‘i’ + 18 letters + ‘n’ |
| a11y | accessibility | ‘a’ + 11 letters + ‘y’ |
So, n8n is in good company with this naming convention.
Real-World Case Study: Which Pronunciation Should You Use?
Okay, so both are correct. But which one should you use? Here’s my practical, expert advice based on years in the field.
Imagine you’re a consultant pitching a new automation solution to a client who isn’t deeply technical. Your goal is clarity and avoiding confusion.
- The Scenario: You’re in a boardroom, presenting a workflow that syncs their Salesforce leads with a marketing tool. The stakeholders include the Head of Sales, a marketing manager, and a non-technical CEO.
- The Best Approach: In this context, I would exclusively use ‘n-eight-n’. Why? It’s literal and requires no extra explanation. Saying “nodemation” might prompt a question about the name’s origin, which, while interesting, distracts from the core business value you’re trying to communicate. You want them focused on how n8n solves their problem, not on a piece of tech trivia.
Now, flip the script. You’re at a tech meetup, geeking out with other developers and automation pros.
- The Scenario: You’re crowded around a laptop, debugging a complex workflow that involves custom code in the Code Node.
- The Best Approach: Here, using ‘nodemation’ is a great choice. It acts as a subtle shibboleth—a signal that you’re part of the in-group and familiar with the tool’s history and culture. It builds camaraderie and shows you’ve been around the block.
Ultimately, context is king. ‘N-eight-n’ is for clarity and broader audiences. ‘Nodemation’ is for community and fellow experts.
Does It Really Matter?
At the end of the day, does it really matter how you pronounce n8n? Not really. The tool’s incredible flexibility, its fair-code model, and its vibrant community are what truly define it. Whether you’re a staunch ‘n-eight-n’ advocate or a proud ‘nodemation’ purist, you’re building amazing things.
But knowing the story adds a layer of appreciation for the thought and practicality that went into its creation. It’s a fun fact, a great icebreaker, and a reminder that even in the complex world of automation, the human touch is never far away. So go ahead, pick your favorite or use them interchangeably. You’re right either way.
