Java is a highly popular and reliable programming language, originally named 'Oak' after an oak tree outside developer James Gosling's window. It has evolved significantly since its inception in 1992 and is now extensively used for web, mobile, and desktop applications, boasting a robust ecosystem and a large developer community. Currently, Java is the second most popular programming language globally, with approximately 9 million developers and an average salary of $80,000 for Java developers.