The program started off as IMP, Image Manipulation Program. They added a G (General) to make it a reference to a character in Pulp Fiction.

The name's history has nothing to do with ableism. Besides, not many artists care; look up what a "gimping machine" is :).

Words can have multiple meanings and context matters a lot. Besides its usage as a slur is pretty outmoded by now.

Thank you. I get that this can be problematic, but as a non english-native, I don't think it's that big of a deal. GIMP is a transnational project after all and as I understand they try their best to be (all)inclusive. Getting hung up on the very well established name and outright demanding (in another comment), seems a bit silly to me. Were it a more serious slur, one that may be more timely relevant, I would feel the same, but given what I just described, I don't feel that harsh about it.

Very hot take: I actually prefer it having that name, because it can lead to that term not being recognized as a slur by newer generations. When being asked "Whats a gimp?" they might then answer "An image processor.". Would eliminate a whole slur. And with time it might even go so out of fashion it gets eliminated from dictionaries. Instances of this exact phenomenon happening include, in developing order: Dude, Yankee, Nerd. Or if you want a devolvement: Bully, which used to mean sweetheart. Language is like that. Let the slur die.

That aside, I do not feel that Krita is better than GIMP technologically. I prefer both.

Perhaps when the time comes to fork the project we can avoid a slur as a name? That would be nice.

Are you yourself affected by this? Maybe I, as a non affected person, am misjudging.