WHO has been using Greek letters to refer to the most widely prevalent coronavirus variants, which otherwise carry long scientific names. It had already used 12 letters of the Greek alphabet, before a new variant emerged in South Africa earlier this week. WHO selected Omicron for this one, instead of Nu or Xi, the two letters that precede it. Accordingly, there used to be a UK variant, an Indian variant, a South African variant, a Brazilian variant and a few more. It chose to name them after the Greek letters.

Source: Indian Express November 28, 2021 07:55 UTC