Banjo-Kazooie was apparently named after the family of former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi

As reported by VGC, Banjo-Kazooie’s name has ties to former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi.

Yamauchi has a grandson called Banjo Yamauchi. His son is named Katsuhito Yamauchi, otherwise known as ‘Katsuhi’ for short. When they’re combined, you get ‘Banjo-Katsuhi’. That sounds a whole lot like Banjo-Kazooie, doesn’t it?

Series creator Greg Mayles says that the part about ‘Banjo’ is spot on while composer Grant Kirkhope says the story is true:

Source, Via