Android Version Names Explained: From Cupcake to Android 17 Cinnamon Bun

Android’s version naming history is more than trivia. It reflects how the platform evolved, how Google organized development internally, and how users and developers tracked major changes over time. With Android 17 now internally tagged as “Cinnamon Bun”, the long-running dessert tradition continues.

Below is a clean, complete look at every Android version name so far, why they matter, and what this naming system actually tells us.

Android started with simple internal codenames before the dessert theme became public-facing.

Early Android releases (pre-dessert era):

• Android 1.0 — Astro Boy / Alpha
• Android 1.1 — Bender / Beta

These names were never marketed to users. They were internal references used during rapid early development.

The dessert naming era officially begins:

• Android 1.5 — Cupcake
• Android 1.6 — Donut
• Android 2.0 — Eclair
• Android 2.2 — Froyo
• Android 2.3 — Gingerbread

This phase marked Android’s first global expansion. Version names helped developers and media clearly distinguish releases.

Tablet-first and UI overhaul phase:

• Android 3.0 — Honeycomb
• Android 4.0 — Ice Cream Sandwich

Honeycomb was tablet-only. Ice Cream Sandwich unified phones and tablets, setting the foundation for modern Android.

Performance and polish years:

• Android 4.1 — Jelly Bean
• Android 4.4 — KitKat

Jelly Bean focused heavily on smoothness and responsiveness. KitKat optimized Android to run better on low-end hardware, accelerating global adoption.

Modern Android design era:

• Android 5.0 — Lollipop
• Android 6.0 — Marshmallow

Material Design debuted with Lollipop. Marshmallow refined permissions and battery management, shaping how Android apps behave today.

Naming becomes simpler for users, desserts continue internally:

• Android 7.0 — Nougat
• Android 8.0 — Oreo
• Android 9 — Pie

These were the last Android versions where dessert names were heavily promoted in public branding.

Numeric branding begins, desserts move behind the scenes:

• Android 10 — Quince Tart
• Android 11 — Red Velvet Cake
• Android 12 — Snow Cone
• Android 13 — Tiramisu
• Android 14 — Upside Down Cake
• Android 15 — Vanilla Ice Cream
• Android 16 — Baklava

From Android 10 onward, Google shifted to numbers for simplicity, while dessert names remained internal for developers.

Newest internal codename confirmed:

• Android 17 — Cinnamon Bun

This follows the alphabetical pattern and confirms that Google has no plans to abandon dessert codenames internally.

Why Android version names still matter:

• Developers use codenames during early testing and documentation
• Leaks and previews often reference dessert names before public release
• They provide an easy way to track Android’s historical evolution
• Alphabetical ordering helps identify generation changes quickly

Even though users now see only numbers, these names still shape Android’s development culture.

What this tells us about Android’s future:

• The dessert tradition is still alive internally
• Android development remains structured years in advance
• Version planning extends far beyond public announcements

For enthusiasts, developers, and long-time Android users, these names remain a valuable reference point.