The name of the search engine has been called "silly" by Frederic Lardinois of Read Write Web. Weinberg said of the origin of the name, "Really it just popped in my head one day and I just liked it. It is certainly influenced/derived from [the game] duck duck goose, but other than that there is no relation, e.g., a metaphor."
Looks like no research was done regarding the name. Naming services very well (or very unique) can really help your company stand out. I like DDG but perhaps a study with regards to the name and the brand might be in order.