As David has mentioned before, we'll be switching to Semantic Versioning soon, and fully implementing it from v1.0. This means that the next release of Monero will be 0.9, not 0.8.8.9, as it is a major change. We're resisting tagging 1.0 till we have the new RPC API implemented and a subsequent compatibility freeze on the API for the whole of the 1.x range.

Just for fun, though, I'd like us to come up with a naming system for Monero releases. It will only be minor version bumps that get a name, not patch releases.

My two proposals are:

Made out of Elements

This gives us a maximum of 118 releases (which is plenty) before we have to switch to a different naming system. We will follow the order in the Periodic Table (ie. by their atomic number), and an object will be selected by the Core Team (or the community) that is "made" of that element, using alliteration / assonance for maximum awesomeness.

Examples could include stuff like:

Monero 0.9: Hydrogen Haircut
Monero 3.0: Magne­sium Mountain
Monero 24.3: Anti­mony Alarm
Monero 50.0: Unun­septium Umbrella

A Testament to Nobel Winners

This is advantageous as the list grows every year, so we should have names forever. No particular order need apply. Nobel laureates would typically be credited using their initials and surname.

Examples could include stuff like:

Monero 0.9: G Marconi
Monero 3.0: M Curie
Monero 24.3: N Mandela
Monero 50.0: R Zinkernagel

Thoughts? Alternatives? Input? Speak now or forever hold your Palladium Peace.