SAIC’s Leidos: Where Does the Name Come From?

McLean-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has a name for its new division—Leidos.

The Washington Post reported this morning:

The contracting giant announced in August it would divide its company in two, forming a roughly $4 billion publicly traded company focused on government services and a roughly $7 billion publicly traded company specializing in technology for the national security, health and engineering sectors.

The smaller of the two units will retain the SAIC name, according to the company.

The larger sector has been named Leidos—as in kaleidoscope.

In a press release, SAIC’s Stu Shea said, “"It's a memorable word with dynamic connotations that capture the energy, talent and passion that our employees bring as they work to deliver solutions that protect our nation, our communities, and our families."

The Washington Post reported Monday morning, “The name Leidos was clipped from the word kaleidoscope, which SAIC said would reflect the company’s effort to unite solutions from different angles.”

SAIC is headquartered just northwest of Tysons Corner and has approximately 40,000 employees worldwide.