Why is it called Hirsute and not Hairy?

Question

So according to the dictionary, hirsute means hairy.

I know Ubuntu releases match the first letter of an adjective and a noun (that is an animal).

But, hairy, which hirsute appears to mean, would also work, because it also starts with the same letter as hippo.

Look:

H irsute

H airy

H ippo

It could work!

Why the more obscure term? Are they trying to confuse us? Are they pretending to be posh? Who is Ubuntu's main audience? Academics? Librarians? Linguists?

I wonder what the next LTS (and the next after that one) will be called. I hope nothing cringy or scandalous.

Answer 1

It's called "Hirsute" because the fellow who gets to name the releases chose that word.

Nothing more, nothing less.

There are lots of assorted suggestions for Ubuntu release names. Sometimes he listens to others. Sometimes he goes his own way. It's entirely his decision.