Java uses a thing that isn't even human but looks personified.
The Java mascot is as ugly as the language it's portraying
Agree!
I've thought of maybe a cheetah for a mascot. It could either be adult-like, really fast, and tough/mean looking, or it could be child-like, young, and "cute" (the former emphasizes speed but is less memorable/iconic, the latter is more memorable/iconic and "hints" at speed).
Someone earlier suggested a bird (falcon?), and a Peregrine Falcon could work too.
I think a young, "cute" mascot would be better than an old, mean one, personally, because that helps it seem more "user friendly" (that is, the type of animal (cheetah or falcon) suggests fast, and the cute/friendly suggests simple and user friendly).
Thoughts?