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Some of these code names might be familiar to Microsoft watchers; others (hopefully) will be brand-new.

Microsoft code names offer some great clues about the Redmondians’ development priorities, not to mention a better understanding of which future Microsoft products fit together, from a strategy standpoint. And not every product group is moving to boring, numbered codenames (like Windows 7 and Office 14).

Without further ado, let the codename games begin.

Microsoft code name of the day: Magellan

Best guess on what it is: A “scientist workbench” under development by Microsoft’s Life Sciences unit

Meaning/context of the code name: Microsoft has used the “Magellan” codename at least once before. Its Office 2003 Small Business Accounting program was codenamed “Magellan.”

Back story: From a recent Microsoft presentation on Magellan: “‘Scientist Workbench’ is a solutions toolkit. This solution will consist of product technologies, architecture framework best practices, solutions integrator for installation and domain expertise, and ongoing support.” The Workbench makes use of a variety of Microsoft foundational technologies, especially Office 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007.

Additional info: The Magellan Workbench is focused on drug discovery. The intended user base is biologists, chemists and other pharmaceutical customers. Microsoft is pushing into the healthcare vertical in a variety of ways; this seems to be yet one more…

Got a Microsoft code name you’ve been wondering about? Send it my way and I’ll do my best to track down some leads on what it might be.