What were the reactions of investors to the original name of Facebook?

Unfortunately, there's no publicly available record of investors' specific reactions to the original name "Facebook."  Here's why:

* **Confidentiality in Early Investment Rounds:**  Early-stage investment discussions are often confidential.  Specific comments about the name might not be publicly documented.
* **Focus on Functionality Over Branding:**  Investors in early startups often prioritize the platform's functionality, market potential, and founding team over the brand name.

However, here are some possibilities to consider:

* **Focus on Growth Potential:**  Investors might have been more interested in Facebook's potential for user growth and engagement than the name itself.
* **Confidence in the Team:**  Investors might have placed their trust in Mark Zuckerberg and the founding team's ability to build a successful platform, regardless of the name.  A strong team can overcome branding challenges.
* **Focus on Evolving the Name:**  Some investors might have seen the name "Facebook" as a placeholder, open to future changes and branding efforts as the platform matured. 

**Additionally, considering the context of the time (mid-2000s):**

* **Less Emphasis on Branding in Early Social Media:**  Social media was a relatively new concept then.  The focus might have been less on creating a perfectly branded experience and more on building a functional and engaging platform.

**Overall, while there's no documented record of investor reactions,  they likely prioritized factors beyond the name in their decision-making:**

* **Growth Potential:**  The potential for Facebook to attract and retain a large user base was likely a key concern for investors.
* **Founding Team:**  The capabilities and vision of Mark Zuckerberg and the team were likely considered crucial factors for success.

The name "Facebook" might not have been a major selling point for investors, but it also likely wasn't a major deterrent.  Their focus was likely on the bigger picture and Facebook's potential to disrupt the communication landscape.

During the early stages of Facebook's development, investors were primarily focused on the platform's potential for growth and its innovative approach to social networking, rather than its name specifically. The initial investors in Facebook were mainly venture capitalists and angel investors who saw promise in Mark Zuckerberg's vision and the early success of the platform among college students.

The name "TheFacebook" itself wasn't a significant point of discussion or concern for investors. Instead, they were more interested in the platform's user engagement metrics, growth trajectory, and monetization potential. As Facebook continued to expand its user base and demonstrate its value as a social networking platform, investor interest grew, leading to substantial investments in the company during its early years.

Ultimately, it was the platform's rapid user growth, strong engagement, and innovative features that attracted investors, rather than its name alone. The decision to drop the "The" from its name as it expanded beyond Harvard was seen as a strategic move to simplify and streamline the brand for a broader audience, rather than a response to investor feedback specifically.