Our free guide is the ultimate resource to help you think of the best boat name to suit you and your boat perfectly. We have packed it full of different ways to think of a name as well as a huge list of boat name ideas. More than just the top 100 list of the world’s coolest boat name ideas.

It’s a popular superstition that changing your boat name can bring bad luck and make your boating experience something that you would prefer to forget. So what happens when you find your dream boat with a name that you just can’t live with?
You can use any of the boat names in this list if you like or just looking through the list could inspire you to come up with a unique and original name for your boat.
If you are just registering your boat in your state, the same boat names can be used many times. Australian registered vessels on the other hand, have to apply for the boat name, and there can only be one boat with that name. You can get around this by adding II, etc. at the end of the boat name when you register it.
Do you want an excuse for a party and to keep up with the boat naming tradition? Use our free Boat Naming or Boat Renaming Ceremony to Christen your boat with her new name.

One of the most important components of personalising our boat is naming it. In our search for an original and meaningful name we often name our boats to reflect our own personalities – this can be fun and challenging at the same time. This boat name guide can help you think of a unique or funny boat name – or one that may reflect your current circumstances.
Your choice should be one that feels the most comfortable. Make a shortlist, sleep on it and sound out your options to friends and family before making a final decision. Naming your boat requires a degree of imagination as well as consideration about what you intend to do on and with your boat.
When choosing a name, consider the image it creates for others. Some names may offend people, or you might resent it in the future. We once witnessed a mayday call from a boat called “Just Joking”, which made the whole conversation a bit confusing. More importantly, remember that it has to be understood on the radio. You don’t want it to be too long, complicated, and hard to pronounce, or it will be difficult to understand and transmit.
Best Boat Names Lists by Category updated for 2023
Use Girls Names and Combinations to name your boat
Throughout history, naming your boat after a partner or child has always been a popular practice. Particularly when using a female name. You could stick to the tradition or combine two names to create something new and unique. For example:
MARABEL (Mary and Belle) MIKEVA (Mike and Eva) DONELLA (Donald and Ella)
Or use a combination of two shorter names in full. For example:
KERRYANN
MARYJANE
JOANNA
These name combinations are only limited by your imagination and the given names of those closest to you.

Fun Boat Names Using Given Names
Want to use the name of a loved one (or your own), but still give passers-by a smile on their face? Get inspired by some of these funny Boat Name Ideas.
RICKSHAW
DIRTY DICK
TIM TAM
JOLLY ROGER
WANDERING WILLY
JACK FROST
MURRAY’S MATE
RUBY TUESDAY
GOOD TIME CHARLIE
MONA LISA
CRACKING ROSE
TOM THUMB
HARRY POTTER
ROBIN HOOD
RICHARD THE LIONHEART
ALICE’S RESTAURANT
FLASH HARRY
NEXT OF KEN
PATSEA
BIG BAD JOHN
ROBIN’S NEST
JIMINI CRICKET
RAMBLING ROSE
JOAN’S ARK
CRACKERJACK
DAVY JONES
SUZIE Q
ADAM’S APPLE
CHARLIE’S ANGELS
MURPHY’S LAW
HEY JUDE
BIG BAD BRUCE
LONG TOM
MOBY DICK
CAROL’S CHOICE
PROUD MARY
SMACKWATER JACK
BLACKJACK
ROCKIN’ ROBIN
CALAMITY JANE
PEG ‘O MY
HEART EL DON
MAD MICK
SIMON’S SKIFF
NANSEA
MAD MAX

Name your boat after a Famous Woman or the Love of your Life
For centuries feminine names have been chosen for boats. Traditional wooden ships were adorned with elaborately carved and painted female figureheads, believing that these statues of nude or semi-nude women would calm the rough seas. Feeling a bit superstitious or are you a fan of history and traditions?
Have a look at this list dedicated to women.
WINDY LADY
ABLE LADY
SPICE GIRL
DIGITAL LADY
SOUL PRINCESS
TIFANNY GIRL
JUNGLE QUEEN
UPTOWN GIRL
ORIENTAL LADY
DANCING QUEEN
FRENCH MISS
BELLE
CRUISING LADY
MY OLD LADY
SATURDAY GIRL
SOUTHPORT GIRL
MY GIRL
QUEEN BEE
BOSS LADY
WORKING GIRL
QUEENIE
FIRST LADY
MISS CONDUCT
SOUL SISTER
GALACTIC QUEEN
CAMEO GIRL
READY MAID
DRAGON LADY
LADY HELMSMAN
ISLAND GIRL
SPIRIT WOMEN
LADYBIRD
THE ULTIMATE WOMAN
OFFSHORE LADY
DEBUTANTE
MYSTERY LADY
A GOOD WOMAN
NAUTIGIRL
SHADY LADY
EPOXY QUEEN
SOUL PRINCESS
FAT LADY
PRETTY WOMAN
ICE QUEEN
SKIPPER’S LADY
MISS TAKEN
MY FAIR LADY
PRINCESS
SALTY MISS
COVER GIRL
LIBERTY BELLE
NOBLE LADY
VIRGIN
SOUTHERN BELLE
MISTRESS
LADY LUCK
ENGLISH LADY
MISS-B-HAVEN
FOXY LADY
MERRY MAID
STEADFAST GIRL

Use Meaning to name your boat
Names help us form impressions and curious names help us remember these impressions. Set a mood with your Boat Name that suits your boat and your personality.
You could simply think of a word to describe your craft. If you have a big strong boat that could sit through any storm – something like DAUNTLESS might suit you quite well. If you have more of a little weekend runabout, something like JOYFUL or BOUNCER may just do the trick.
TENACIOUS
SEAWORTHY
SPONTANEOUS
MAJESTIC
RELIANCE
RECKLESS
VIGILANT
PORTITUDE
CAREFREE
FLIRTACIOUS
WORTHY FOOTLOOSE
BORN TO BE WILD
DAUNTLESS
FLAWLESS
COURAGEOUS
FEARLESS
RESTLESS
WILD & FREE
VIVACIOUS
EXUBERANCE
STEADFAST
WORTHY
BOUNTIFUL
FAITHFUL
INSATIABLE
DILIGENCE
DEFIANT
JOYFUL
IMPULSIVE

Boat name ideas using your Occupation?
Does what you do for a living make you proud or defines who you are? Consider using your occupation to create your Boat Name. Use words from your profession’s terminology in full, such as COUNSELLOR, or be inspired by words associated with your profession, such as persons, animals, etc.
For example, if you are a singer, you could name your boat NIGHTINGALE. Don’t forget about a bit of wordplay either! Do you fly planes for a living? What about PILOTHOUSE?
CONTROL ALT DELETE
IRONMONGER
NOVELIST
TEACHER’S PET
NIGHTINGALE
SPECIALIST
OMBUDSMAN
AUCTIONEER
WORDSMITH
HEADHUNTER
MEDIA MAGNATE
COUNSELLOR
BARRISTER
SCRIPTWRITER
BOOTLEGGER
THE LAW
BONE DOCTOR
FISHMONGER
SCRIBE
ANCHORMAN
FLOATING FRAMER
FARRIER
MACK THE KNIFE
PILL PEDDLER
SEALECTRIC
SALESMANSHIP
BEAN COUNTER
MEDICINE MAN
FLOATING CHEF
EL DOC
HOUSEMAN AT SEA
THE BILL KEEPER
SHOEMAKER
PERMANENT WAVE
DEFENCE RESTS
LEGAL EAGLE
METAL FLOSS
TECH HEAD
COURT JESTER
DEALERSHIP
CARETAKER
THE SINGER
SPORTSMAN
SUPERMODEL
A CUT ABOVE
THE SHRINK
THERAPY
MAD PROFESSOR
ACADAMIC
JILLAROO
JACKAROO
JANITOR
WHEELER DEALER
LONE RANGER
UMPIRE
PHILOSOPHY
DRUMMER
CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CONSULTANT
DOGMAN
STORYTELLER
PILOTHOUSE
FEDERAL AGENT
FIREFIGHTER
TOOTH FERRY
TRADER
VET’ PET
STOCKS & BONDS
PLAYRIGHT
ORATER
BUG HUNTER
COPS ‘N ROBBERS

Best boat names using Colours
If the hull of your boat is a very distinct colour, use it in your name for an easy identifier.
BIG RED
BLUE LIGHTNING
WHITE WINGS
BLACK DIAMOND
BLUEJACKET
SONG SUNG BLUE
SILVER LADY
BLUE FIRE
LADY GREY
GOLD RUSH
THE BLUE NOTE
ORANGE PEEL
ORANGE
MELLOW YELLOW
EVERGREEN
SILVER HAWK
BLACK MAGIC
RED TOMATO
QUICKSILVER
TOUCH OF GREY
RED PEPPER
MOODY BLUES
BURNT SIERRA
GREEN LIGHT
AQUAMARINE
POT ‘O GOLD
PURPLE DREAM
BLUE STEEL
BLACK BEAUTY
TICKLED PINK
LADY IN RED
BLUEBACK
SIMPLY RED
FIDDLER’S GREEN
LEMON TWIST
RED ROSE


Design your own Boat Names
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Perhaps you have a favorite Mineral or Semi-Precious Stone you could name your boat after
The sparkle of precious gemstones, birthstones, and expensive metals inspire some great names for boats as they give a sense of luxury and strength.
You could think of a gemstone in the colour of your hull. Green boat? Call it EMERALD. Or you could pick the birthstone that is associated with your own birthday or with the day your boat will be launched.
CRYSTAL
OPAL
PLATINUM
RUBY
EMERALD
ONYX
SAPPHIRE
AMBER
TOPAZ
JADE
PEARL
DIAMOND
ZIRCON
GOLD
SILVER
COPPER
TURQUOISE
AQUAMARINE
The birthstone for Pisces is Aquamarine, which as the name suggests, has had a long association with the sea, sailors, and mermaids. Ancient folklore has it that the aquamarine stone was worn to protect sailors from drowning.

Boat Names Using the Phonetic Alphabet
Use your initials in conjunction with the phonetic alphabet, such as:
PAPA KILO
ALPHA TANGO
ECHO DELTA
ALPHA OSCAR
MIKE LIMA PAPA
A – Alpha
B – Bravo
C – Charlie
D – Delta
E – Echo
F – Foxtrot
G – Golf
H – Hotel
I – India
J – Juliet
K – Kilo
L – Lima
M – Mike
N – November
O – Oscar
P – Papa
Q – Quebec
R – Romeo
S – Sierra
T – Tango
U – Uniform
V – Victor
W – Whiskey
X – X-Ray
Y – Yankee
Z – Zulu

Classic Boat Names
Classical Names
Names from literature, art, classical music and philosophy can say a lot about your personality, heritage, and education. Plus, they make for some nice sounding Boat Names.
Mythology
Over the centuries, the gods and goddesses of mythology have been used as names for vessels. Before the days of GPS, sailors used the heavens to navigate, and some still do today. Stars, celestial bodies, signs of the Zodiac, constellations, and galaxies make effective Boat Names for new owners. Also, you could use your own star sign or the signs that are associated with the launch date of your boat. Or you could name it after a god to suit the style of your boat.
Boat Names that use Birthplaces or Locations
Do you have an imported boat from a faraway place, a country or city you would like to sail to and one-day call home or a favourite beach with good memories? Use this location to inspire the name of your boat. For example, if you’re Irish you could call her Shamrock.
AUSSIE BATTLER
KIWI
POMMY BASTARD
IRISH MIST
LONDON FOG
FRENCH MUSTARD
CANADA DRY
AFRICAN QUEEN
FRENCH CONNECTION
RING AROUND IRISH
TOP END CHARLIE
SPANISH FLY
RUSSIAN BLUE
YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS
IRISH CREAM
IRISH COFFEE
FRENCH KNICKERS
DUTCH TREAT
TOP END CHARLIE
BANANA BENDER
SCOTLAND THE BRAVE
FRENCH CHAMPAGNE
FLYING DUTCHMAN
TASMANIAN DEVIL
BRITTANICA
HIGHLANDER
VICTIORIAN
BRITZ
SAND GROPER
VIENNA SNITZEL
QUEENSLANDER
SYDNEYSIDER
LONG WHITE CLOUD
IRISH ROSE
CELTIC FLYER
SWISS CHOCOLATE
SWISS MISS
FRENCH KISS
BIG APPLE
CHINA DOLL
SPANISH EYES
BORN DOWN UNDER
WELSH RABBIT
SINGAPORE SLING
YANKEE DOODLE

You could select a name from the relevant ethnic background of your location, such as using the indigenous name of your homeport rather than the English version. Does your homeport have an indigenous name? Use that instead of the English version. Or translate a word associated with your boat into the indigenous language of your homeport. For example:
PINDARI – Aborigine for happiness.
NANGARA – meaning “dreaming”.
KUNGA WONGA – meaning “three canoes” which would be a good name for a Trimaran.
Boat Names from Foreign Languages
Use a short phrase or saying from a foreign language that’s meaningful to you. Whether it’s your personal mantra, a description of your personality or boat, or associated with your vessel’s homeport – anything goes. Just keep in mind that simplicity is the key. Remember how we talked about radio communications at the start of this e-Book? I’m sure we’ve all seen this one a few times CARPE DIEM: Latin – Seize the day.
Long, overly complicated names may get you in trouble later on. A few examples:
QUO VADIS: Latin – Where are you going?
CARTE BLANCH: French – a saying meaning “anything goes”
CARPE DIEM: Latin – Seize the day
VIVA: Spanish – Lively
ARCADES AMBO: Latin – Two Rascals
L’ALLEGRO: Italian – Merry Man
VOLVER: French – To fly
FAIT ACCOMPLI: French – Mission accomplished
ALTER EGO: Latin – Counterpart, Double
VISTA MAR: Spanish – Ocean view
TEMPUS: Latin – Time
ROOINEK: Afrikaans – Foreigner
ESPIRT DE MAR: French – Spirit of the Sea
INKA: Japanese – Seal of Approval
SIROCCO: Italian – Witches’ Winds
RAISON D’ETRE: French – Reason for being/living
MENAGE A TROIS: French – Threesome
VENI VIDI VICI: Latin – I came, I saw, I conquered
ALOHA: Hawaiian – Love, kindness, affection, goodwill
LA MER: French – The Sea
BEN TROVATO: Italian – Well-found
QUID PRO QUO: Latin – Something for something
DOLCE FAR NIENTE: Italian – Sweet Idleness
MYSTIC WAHINE: Tahitian – Woman
AMIGO: Spanish – Friend
MODUS OPERANDI: Latin – The manner in which one works
SAYONARA: Japanese – Farewell
SALA DE MAR: Spanish – Sea room
TEMA MAR: Spanish – Sea theme
MIKO: Japanese – Sorceress
SUENO: Spanish – To dream
PAPILLON: French – Butterfly

Multi-Hulls
Catamarans
Here are some examples of names specifically meant for twin-hull vessels using a play on words and feline terms to create a fun name for Catamarans.
Trimarans
For obvious reasons, typical trimaran names come with referral to a trio in one form or another. Another popular way of forming trimaran names is to use bird references. To make it a bit more original, think about using the key features of a trimaran (fast, exciting, light) to create a name through puns and sayings.
Lifestyle
The cruising lifestyle has long been associated with adventure, discovery, escapism, self-sufficiency, hunter-gatherers, making magic memories and the almost spiritual freedom of being one with the elements; wind, sun and the ocean. The names in this section describe this lifestyle with known sayings and slang, and perhaps the individual circumstances or emotions which lead us to follow that special dream based on the sea. For example “The Good Life.”
Funny Boat Names
Do you just want to make people laugh as they walk by your boat? Then the funny boat name is for you! Create clever puns by merging nautical, fishing and lifestyle-related terms to come up with a unique name to suit you as well as your boat and send people on their way a little happier. Pier Pressure is seen quite often. Here are some of the funniest ever, including funny names for bass boats
Using Speed can be cool
Speed and the sport of racing mean thrills, spills, heat, adrenaline-pumping challenges and excitement.
Going Fishing?
Fishermen, whether fishing for a hobby or a profession, take fishing seriously.
Therefore, the most passionate enthusiast will enjoy almost anything related to their sport, including the naming of their boats.
Dinghies & Small or Cute Crafts
Most dinghies are cunning escape artists. Giving them a name won’t cure them of this annoying habit, but it will make them easier to find and perhaps less likely to be stolen. Use this escapism as an inspiration for your dinghy’s name, make a reference to it’s size, hull material or if you have a particularly strong outboard on the back, make a reference to its speed.
Connecting your mothership to it’s tender by name is guaranteed to attract attention anywhere!
You could use a name for your mother vessel that indicates a larger size such as MAGNITUDE and use a synonym for your dinghy that means the opposite, such as MINITUDE.
Another option, to refer back to a previous idea, is to name the mother vessel after your wife and the tender after your child.

Design your own Boat Names
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Use our boat name design generator to try out different designs to see what yours could look like.
FAQs
How do you come up with a boat name?
Ultimately, the best way to name your boat is by determining what is most suitable to you and your personality. By using the above techniques as well as our boat name design generator you’re sure to find something perfect.
What’s a good boat name?
Again, this will depend on factors such as your personality, how you’ll be using your boat and the important people in your life. Have a read through our guide above to find some handy tips and tricks to narrow down the possibilities for you.
Can I name my boat anything?
When naming your boat it’s best to keep it short and easy to understand for times when you may need to say it over the radio. If you’re registering your boat name nationwide then you’ll also need to ensure that no other boat already has the same name.