Here’s a good explanation on what’s the difference between JavaScript and ECMAScript. I know I’m not the only one confused.
Chicken or the egg
A confusing bit of history is that JavaScript was created in 1996. It was then submitted to Ecma International in 1997 for standardization, which resulted in ECMAScript. At the same time, because JavaScript conformed to the ECMAScript specification, JavaScript is an example of an ECMAScript implementation.
That leaves us with this fun fact: ECMAScript is based on JavaScript, and JavaScript is based on ECMAScript.
I know.
It sounds exactly like the time-travel trope of people being their own parent — a little wonky, but kind of fun to think about.