I want to start an open source project, but my favourite project name was already used for a framework with the same goal. This project was never popular, there is nothing to download or executable, the project had only two active days with commits at Google Code and is dead since four years. In other words: the project is irrelevant but the name is in use at Google Code and ohloh (the same dead project). The .org domain would be available.
Would it be ok to reuse this project name?
4 years, just 2 active days? Get it and make it better then old dead one ;)
I would advise against it, even if it is clearly dead. Recycling old names can cause a great deal of confusion. Moreover, if the old project has been indexed, then searches for your project or for documentation for your project could accidentally turn up information related to the previous project. There are plenty of good names out there that haven't been taken. Better to brainstorm now than cause confusion later.