Here's A List Of Companies That Share An Unfortunate Name With The Terrorist Group ISIS

UK private equity firm ISIS Equity Partners is the latest company to announce a name change to distance its brand from the Islamist State terrorist group, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

In a statement on Monday, managing director Wol Kolade said: "Given ongoing events in Syria and Iraq, it will come as no surprise to you to learn that we have decided to change our name. We are no longer prepared to share it with a terrorist organization. The group hasn't settled on a new name yet."

ISIS Partners joins many other companies with a name that includes the ISIS acronym but are choosing to change the moniker to avoid a public relations nightmare. Here are some examples:

• Isis Wallet: The mobile payment technology set up by At&T, T Mobile, and Verizon changed its name to Softcard. CEO Michael Abbott is not particularly happy and would like to "avoid confusion and association with a violent Islamic militant group."
• ISIS Downtown: the Florida-based development firm now wants to be know as Thirty Three Downtown. All that's left of the previous firm is a small note on the website.
• Isis for Women. It's not completely clear whether this outdoor clothing company is changing its name, but there's very little currently on the website and it's "relaunching fall 2014."

Other companies are holding the line and choosing to keep the ISIS name, despite its negative association. Here's a short list:

• The Institute for Science and International Security. The non-profit suggests doesn't want to change its own name, but instead suggests that the media and others stop calling the terrorist group by the name ISIS. It recommends using the alternative name ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). Although Intersil Corporation, with the ticker ISIL, may object.
• Ann Summers' new line of lingerie branded "Isis": The British sex toy company issued an apology about the name, but says it has no plans to change it.
• US firm Isis Pharmaceuticals: CEO Stanley Crooke told CNBC he's not changing their name, but that the terrorist group was welcome to change theirs. The company's share price is up by about 11% in the last three months, so it doesn't seem to be suffering too much.
• Isis Estate Agents. The river Isis which runs through Oxford has inspired a lot of businesses in the area. At least one also wants the media to stop using that name.
• Isis Innovation and Isis magazine: Neither University of Oxford publications have announced a name change.
• The Labrador in Downton Abbey called Isis: It's not clear if the show's writers are considering a name change for the canine.