Choosing the right name for your boat involves a mix of creativity, practicality, and a hint of maritime superstition. Giving your vessel a unique and memorable name not only adds character but also serves as a personal symbol while out on the water.
Brainstorming The Perfect Name
When brainstorming, consider names that reflect your personality, the boat’s character, or your aspirations. Witty or pun-based names, like “Nauti Buoy” or “Pier Pressure,” bring smiles, while more elegant ones like “Solitude” or “Serenity Now” exude calm. These examples highlight how your boat’s name can evoke different emotions and expectations.
Get Some Help
Remember to consider others’ opinions when choosing a boat name. They might have good suggestions and reasons for liking certain names. You can ask friends and loved ones who are also interested in boating. They may give you some ideas based on your personality or career.
Another source is to search online for lists of boat names. Dockwa, the marina reservation system, publishes a list of the Top Boat Names of the Year.
Highlight Your Boat’s Features
Some name their boats based on their features or characteristics. Some base the name on color, similar to how pet owners may name their dog ‘Brownie’ because the dog’s color is brown. Some may call a road “High Bridge Road” because it has a tall bridge on it. (Fun Fact: We have a High Bridge Road near us, with one of the lowest lift bridges in the area.)
There is a looper who has a Kadie-Krogan Manatee that’s sort of short and fat. They named their boat Manatee!
Using a boat trait is an easy way to come up with a unique name. Our friends’ boat is dark blue, and they are from Charleston, South Carolina, so they named it “Indigo.” We know of a “Porch” that has a large deck on top of its cockpit. We also know of a steel hull sailboat called Steelaway and a wooden boat called Woodpecker. We have seen a bright green catamaran called Green Envy.
Use A Name That Is Special To You
Another popular choice in boat names is honoring a person, group, or song you love. It doesn’t have to be a direct name but perhaps a reference to a nickname or song. We’ve seen Maw-Maw, Yellow Submarine, Aqualung, Nine Inch Nails, Buoyz II Men, and Three Daughters. Many boats are also named after wives, probably to appease them after their husbands bought a boat. Our boat has a blue hull and its original name was Bella Blue.
Speaking of musical names, using musical terms is also quite popular. Adagio, Alegro, Boat Baroque, Cantabile, Coda, Cadence, Crescendo, the list goes on.
Another naming tradition is favorite movies. Names like The Codfather, SS Minnow, Catch Me If You Can, Overboard, Fishin’ Impossible, The Great Gatsea, Baits Motel, and of course, lots of Black Pearls.
Make A Play On Your Profession Or Business
Naming a boat based on a Profession or Business is very popular. Here you can have some real fun. Some of the names we like are Para-Docs, Pharma-Sea, Whats Up Doc, 401K, Counsellor, Anchorman, Bean Counter, Stocks & Bonds, Tech Head, and Control Alt Delete.
Our boat, “Kissed Some Frogs,” is a reference to my old software company, KSF International. The KSF stood for the adage, “You have to kiss some frogs to find your prince,” a saying that a customer of mine used ad nauseam.
Basic Guidelines For For A Good Name
- Be original
- Add humor
- Make it relatable
- Incorporate the manufacturer or model
- Use a feature or trait of the boat or your yourself
- Reference your job
- Incorporate a name
Avoid Overused Names
Some names are so common that you will encounter at least one or two in almost every marina. Names like Osprey, Serenity, Zephyr, Adventure, Island Girl, Knot on Call, Grace, Freedom, Pura Vida (We know of I, II, III, and IV), Perseverance, Happy Hours. BoatUS publishes a list of The Most Common Boat Names, and it’s probably best to skip anything there if you want to be unique.
Also, there are so many boat names based on Aholic, Aqua, Buoy, Cat, Catch, Dog, Hook, Knot, Nauti, Reel, and Sea out there that you are probably not going to come up with anything new and unique based on them. Commonly used or sounding names can cause confusion.
Check the U.S. Coast Guard Database
Before you start painting the name on the stern of your boat, it’s wise to check the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) database. This nifty tool shows how many other boats share your chosen name, helping you craft something special without being the tenth “Sea Breeze” to dock at the marina. This step ensures your name is not just another drop in the ocean.
If you decide to register your boat with the Coast Guard (referred to as a Documented Vessel), be sure to use the Official Coast Guard website. There are many sites that will show up if you do a web search that look official but are not. Many use domains like unitedstatesvessel.us and nvdcrenewal.us. If it’s an official Coast Guard website, the domain will end in .mil (for military). They don’t make it easy. The official website is:
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Deputy-for-Operations-Policy-and-Capabilities-DCO-D/National-Vessel-Documentation-Center/
These third parties will charge you a surcharge over the regular USCG registration fee and, in some cases, sign you up for a recurring subscription that will cost you more!
For more information, check out our Article:
USCG Documentation or State Registration?
The Legal Side of Boat Names
It’s important to understand that you can’t truly “own” a boat name unless you trademark it and are prepared to potentially battle it out in court to defend that exclusive naming right.
For example, if you search the USCG Database, you will find over 200 boats with the name “Adagio”! Even Jeff Bezos’ (founder of Amazon) yacht “Koru” shares it’s name with 10 other boats.
Some services promise to “protect” your boat name, yet these are often scams—offering little more than a false sense of peace, a cheaply printed certificate, and a lighter wallet. So, tread carefully and save your money for more important boat expenses.
Practical Considerations for Radio Communication
After you’ve chosen the perfect name, it’s important to remember that you will use this name over the VHF radio when communicating with bridges, marinas, or other vessels. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the name is clear and easy to understand. Using a tongue-twister as a name could make every communication more challenging, especially in difficult conditions or high-pressure situations. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to practice saying, “Main Street Bridge, this is the sailing/power vessel [insert name] requesting your next opening,” to make sure that it’s easy to say and comprehend.
We frequently have to repeat our boat name, “Kissed Some Frogs,” because people don’t understand the first time. We’ve seen marina reservations under “Kiss Some Frogs”, “Kissed The Frog”, “Kissing Frogs”, and even “Shit On A Frog”! We even refer to the boat as “The Frog” because the name is long.
Superstition and the Renaming Ritual
Superstition plays its part in the naming ritual too. If you find a need to rename a pre-owned boat, sea lore suggests a denaming, and renaming ceremony to appease the sea gods, whimsically known as Poseidon or Neptune. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather friends for a festive get-together, perhaps reminiscent of a druid ritual (or just a good excuse to crack open some bubbly).
There are many variations, some very formal, some involving virgins. Search on the web for “boat renaming ceremonies,” and you’ll find one that fits your personality.
Have Fun with Your Choice
Ultimately, take your time. Float a few ideas by friends, or try them out with that all-important radio check. This practice helps ensure you’re comfortable with your choice. Above all, have fun with it. The best boat names are those that you love, reflect your journey, and leave a memorable mark both in your heart and on the seas.
What is the story behind your boat’s name? What are your favorite boat names?
Let us know in the comments below! 
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