The codename for Android 16 has recently leaked, and it’s certainly not what most people anticipated. While many expected a dessert name starting with the letter “W”—such as “Waffle” or “Whoopie Pie”—Google has instead opted for “Baklava”, a layered pastry with Middle Eastern origins. This move reflects a reset in Google’s alphabetical naming system for Android versions, starting fresh with “B” for Android 16.
Historically, Android codenames followed alphabetical order for desserts (like “Cupcake” for Android 1.5, “Oreo” for Android 8, and so on), but this sudden shift suggests internal changes in Google’s development strategy. For instance, starting with Android 14, Google revamped its build naming conventions, which also played a role in this reset(
Despite Google no longer officially promoting these dessert names in public releases, they still use them internally, with Android 15 being codenamed “Vanilla Ice Cream”
This break from tradition signals a new era in Android development, though fans of the classic dessert theme might be left longing for what could have been.