Google actually created it. It was a deliberate, intentional project to do so. They were very quiet about it.
If you find the people who did it, and ask them about projects named after mortal kombat characters, they will be happy to tell you the reality of what happened - in part because they've never been allowed to say it publicly :)
Danny is correct here. I was aware of it at the time (having been on Android 2012-2016), but won't leak any further details. I recommend taking the word of a highly credible person who has first hand knowledge over a thinly sourced article in the tech press.
