<P> The origin of the name Oreo is unknown, but there are many hypotheses, including derivations from the French word' Or', meaning gold (as early packaging was gold), or the Greek word "Ωραίο" (/ ɔ. ˈɾɛ. ɔ /), meaning beautiful, nice or well done . Others believe that the cookie was named Oreo because it was short and easy to pronounce . Another theory is that the name derives from the Latin Oreodaphne a genus of the laurel family . In her book BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts, food writer Stella Parks notes that the original design of the Oreo includes a laurel wreath, and several of Nabisco's cookies at the time had botanically derived names including Avena, Lotus, and Helicon (Heliconia) </P> <P> The "Oreo Biscuit" was first developed and produced by the National Biscuit Company (today known as Nabisco) in 1912 at its Chelsea, Manhattan factory in the current - day Chelsea Market complex, located on Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets . Today, this same block of Ninth Avenue is known as "Oreo Way ." The name Oreo was first trademarked on March 14, 1912 . It was launched as an imitation of the Hydrox cookie manufactured by Sunshine company, introduced in 1908 . </P> <P> The original design of the cookie featured a wreath around the edge of the cookie and the name "OREO" in the center . In the United States, they were sold for 25 cents a pound (453 g) in novelty cans with clear glass tops . The first Oreo was sold on March 6, 1912, to a grocer in Hoboken, New Jersey . </P> <P> The Oreo Biscuit was renamed in 1921, to "Oreo Sandwich ." A new design for the cookie was introduced in 1924 . A lemon - filled variety was available briefly during the 1920s, but was discontinued . In 1948, the Oreo Sandwich was renamed the "Oreo Creme' Sandwich"; it was changed in 1974 to the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie . The modern - day Oreo design was developed in 1952 by William A. Turnier, to include the Nabisco logo . </P>

Where were the first oreo cookie sold in the us