WordPress is now the most popular Content Management System (CMS) in the world. It powers over 40% of all websites. This massive success is due to years of consistent updates and innovation.
This post will explore the full history of WordPress releases. We will look at the features that changed web development forever. The journey started as a simple blogging tool. Today, it is a powerhouse with Full Site Editing capabilities. This story is a clear example of community-driven growth. Let’s look at the complete timeline.
The story of WordPress began in 2003. Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little founded the project. It started as a fork of another earlier blogging software. The early focus was just on making online writing easy.
The first official major release was WordPress 1.0 “Davis” in 2004. This version established the core post and commenting features. Soon after, the idea of separating design from content took hold. The introduction of Themes in 2005 was a key step. It allowed users to change their website’s look easily.
The platform soon added new tools to become a true CMS. Widgets and Rich Editing were added in 2006. This made managing a website much simpler for non-technical users.
| Year | Version/Milestone | Key Change |
| 2004 | WordPress 1.0 “Davis” | First major release, focusing on core customization and commenting. |
| 2005 | Themes | Introduced the essential system for easily changing site design. |
| 2006 | Rich Editing & Widgets | Added visual editors and widgets, improving user-friendliness. |
| 2010 | Custom Post Types (CPTs) | Allowed developers to build complex, structured sites like e-commerce stores. |
The introduction of Custom Post Types (CPTs) was especially important. It proved WordPress was ready for business applications beyond a simple blog.
As mobile internet and app development grew, WordPress adapted. It ensured the platform was ready for the future of the web.
In 2013, the admin dashboard was updated. The new Responsive Admin was user-centric. This allowed people to manage their websites easily from any mobile device.
However, the biggest change came in 2015. The REST API was introduced. This was a massive win for developers.
| Year | Milestone | Key Change |
| 2013 | Responsive Admin | The back-end area was made responsive for better mobile use. |
| 2015 | REST API | A critical developer feature. It allowed WordPress to function as a headless CMS for modern applications. |
The REST API essentially separated the front-end design from the back-end content data. This allowed developers to use WordPress as a data source for mobile apps or complex JavaScript frameworks.
The most significant change in how content is created came with the Block Editor. This project is named Gutenberg. All major WordPress versions are named after famous jazz musicians.
WordPress 5.0 “Bebo Valdés” launched in 2018. It replaced the old, single editor box. In its place came the powerful Gutenberg block editor.
The years that followed focused on refining and expanding this block concept. Version 5.5 in 2020 added three key improvements. These were Lazy Loading, built-in Block Patterns, and Auto-Updates for plugins and themes.
The goal was to extend blocks to the entire site. This led to Full Site Editing (FSE).
| Version | Musician Name | Release Date | Most Notable Changes |
| 5.0 | Bebo Valdés | Dec 2018 | New Block Editor (Gutenberg) became the default editor. |
| 5.1 | Betty | Feb 2019 | Site Health Checks and Editor Performance Improvements. |
| 5.2 | Jaco | May 2019 | Fatal Error Protection (White Screen of Death fix). |
| 5.3 | Kirk | Nov 2019 | Major Block Editor refinements and the new Twenty Twenty theme. |
| 5.4 | Adderley | Mar 2020 | Drag-and-drop improvements and new Social Icons Block. |
| 5.5 | Eckstine | Aug 2020 | Auto-updates, Lazy Loading, and built-in Block Patterns. |
| 5.6 | Simone | Dec 2020 | New default theme (Twenty Twenty-One) and PHP 8 support. |
| 5.7 | Esperanza | Mar 2021 | Easier HTTP to HTTPS migration and new color palette. |
| 5.8 | Tatum | Jul 2021 | WebP image support and introduction of Block Widgets. |
| 5.9 | Joséphine Baker | Jan 2022 | Launched Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities and the Navigation block. |
| 6.0 | Arturo | May 2022 | Design tool consolidation and improved template creation flows. |
| 6.1 | Misha | Nov 2022 | Design consistency and the introduction of the Twenty Twenty-Three theme. |
| 6.2 | Dolphy | Mar 2023 | Site Editor interface overhaul and distraction-free writing. |
| 6.3 | Lionel Hampton | Aug 2023 | Major updates to the Site Editor and the new Command Palette for quicker workflow. |
With FSE, you can now use blocks to customize everything. This includes your headers, footers, templates, and site-wide styles.
The most recent releases have focused on professional tools and speed. The system is being polished into a high-performance platform.
| Version | Musician Name | Release Date | Key Focus/Changes |
| 6.4 | Shirley Horn | Nov 2023 | Focused on block organization, toolbar positioning, and Image Block enhancements. |
| 6.5 | Regina | Apr 2024 | Introduced the Interactivity API for building dynamic, modern front-end experiences. |
| 6.6 | Dorsey | Jul 2024 | Focus on global styles, block patterns, and the new Grid block. |
| 6.7 | Rollins | Nov 2024 | New design tools, block variations, and automation improvements. |
| 6.8 | Cecil Taylor | Apr 2025 | Included Design Improvements and Speculative Loading for faster page transitions. |
These updates are key to keeping WordPress modern. For example, the Interactivity API is essential for new web development techniques. Speculative Loading boosts site speed for users.
This is a critical announcement for the future of WordPress development.
Starting in 2025, the project is changing its release schedule. It will move from releasing three major updates per year to only one annual major release. WordPress 6.8 will be the last major release before this new cycle begins.
This change was a thoughtful decision by the core community. It offers many benefits for everyone:
Regular minor releases (for security and bug fixes) will still happen frequently. This ensures sites remain safe and up-to-date throughout the year.
The history of WordPress is a powerful story of growth. It is built on the idea of constant improvement. From a simple editor to the advanced Full Site Editing system, WordPress continues to lead the web.
You should always ensure your website is running the latest stable version, such as 6.8. This guarantees you have the best security, performance, and features.
Suggestion: To keep up with the technical changes, security updates, and performance improvements that come with every new version, a reliable maintenance partner is essential. We recommend checking out WPCaps for professional WordPress care and maintenance services.
What do you think is the most important feature that WordPress has added in the last five years? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
