"Scuttlebutt" is nautical term for a water fountain (which was originally a cask, not a fountain). Since sailors would congregate around the scuttlebutt and gossip, "scuttlebutt" also came to mean gossip as well. I guess I'd call it the nautical version of "water cooler talk."

It's rather obscure term to use outside a nautical context, so I agree it's a bad name if targeting the general public. It would be a fine name if its target audience was only sailors.

That makes a lot of sense, when explained. I was thinking more from a branding perspective. :P

"Hey non-technical friend, instead of Facebook you should use Secure Scuttlebutt; it's so much better!"

Oh, I agree it's a terrible name for a product whose audience is the general public! I was just explaining the name.

Gossip has negative connotations to start with. If people are gossiping about it's not something people most people consider a compliment.