People are only just finding out what Durex really means – and it’s probably not what you think.
The iconic condom brand has been a giant in the global market for what feels like forever, yet most have no clue what the name actually represents.
In truth, it’s been around for over a century, originally launched in 1915 as the London Rubber Company before adopting the name Durex in 1929 and shifting focus to condoms by the 1950s.
According to its detailed company history, Durex played a major role in changing the industry forever.
It pioneered electronic quality checks on condoms, introduced the first ‘anatomical’ shape, and by the 1970s, had gone international and launched ads in several countries.
By the late 1990s, Durex had introduced a worldwide quality guarantee, plus colorful, flavored, and non-latex options. The 2000s brought in ribbed, dotted designs and an array of personal lubricants.
There’s a lot to choose from these days (Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
What surprises most people, however, is that the brand name is actually a clever acronym — and no, it’s not short for “During Sex” as many have assumed.
According to the BBC, Durex was named to reflect the company’s core values: DUrability, REliability, and EXcellence.
The discovery has left countless people around the world genuinely shocked, many admitting they never knew or even thought to question the brand’s quirky name.
“I figured it meant durable,” one person commented, while others admitted they assumed it was a cheeky nod to an ex-lover.
Someone else shared that she discovered the trivia while researching brand names and how they influence market value.
“Corona took a hit when COVID struck, while some brands became verbs — like ‘Googling.’ And Durex? Turns out it stands for durability, reliability, and excellence,” she wrote.
One user quipped: “Wait, DUREX actually stands for Durability, Reliability, and Excellence? Guess that makes me a Durex-beast in the bedroom! hahaha.”
Condoms being made at Karex in Malaysia (Samsul Said/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to British Heritage, the brand’s roots trace back to the “intellectual brilliance” of Lucian Landau, a Polish student specializing in rubber technology. But it wasn’t until 1932 that Durex began producing condoms under its own label.
On its official website, Durex proudly states: “We’ve been crafting condoms from top-quality raw materials since 1929, so when it comes to performance, we’ve got experience. And not just in the bedroom (or wherever you’re getting it on).
“Our condoms go through electronic testing for holes, are dermatologically assessed for comfort, and exceed global quality standards — so people everywhere can enjoy safe, feel-good sex, however and wherever they like.
“We collaborate with people who really get sex — health pros, researchers, and experts who are all on a mission to help us make sex feel even better.”
So there you have it — your new go-to icebreaker for the next trivia night.
