Sprite was introduced in the United States under the Sprite name in 1961.
The drink’s immediate history began in West Germany, where Coca-Cola developed a clear lemon-lime soda in 1959. It was known there as Fanta Klare Zitrone, meaning “Fanta Clear Lemon.” Coca-Cola then launched that drink in the United States under the Sprite name two years later.
The Sprite name itself is slightly older than the lemon-lime product. Coca-Cola acquired rights to the name in 1960, after it had been used for an earlier line of flavored drinks. This explains why references sometimes mention 1955 or 1960 when discussing Sprite’s branding history rather than the U.S. launch of the soda.
Sprite entered a crowded American market as a competitor to 7 Up. Its clear appearance and lemon-lime flavor helped distinguish it from Coca-Cola, while later versions—including caffeine-free and reduced-sugar varieties—expanded the brand. The 1961 date refers specifically to the U.S. introduction of the original Sprite drink.