The name change of Sierra Mist was primarily a strategic rebranding by PepsiCo to better compete in the lemon-lime soda market, particularly against competitors like Sprite. Despite rumors and viral claims that PepsiCo was forced to retire the Sierra Mist name after a trademark clash with social media influencer Cierra Mist, these claims have been fact-checked and shown to be false. PepsiCo still holds valid trademark registrations for Sierra Mist, and the name change was not due to any legal dispute with the influencer. PepsiCo rebranded Sierra Mist to a new brand called "Starry" in 2023 to refresh the soda's image, aiming for a crisper, bolder flavor and to appeal to younger generations. This fresh branding move was part of a broader strategy to gain a bigger share of the lemon-lime soda market, where Sierra Mist had struggled with popularity despite several recipe and branding updates over the years. In summary, the name change was a business decision to strengthen market position rather than the result of any legal battle or trademark dispute with the influencer Cierra Mist.