For thousands of years and in most cultures, humans have named their boats. Whether it stems from the effort it usually takes to acquire, or the boater is acknowledging that they are embarking for a sometimes dangerous and risky environment; humans take comfort in naming a boat.
Egyptian ancients are credited with starting the tradition. They named their craft after river gods, assuming the deities would be too complimented to let the boat sink. Time has amended this practice to naming boats after loved ones, family members, professions, companies; even wishes and dreams can qualify as a proper boat name.
Contrary to past opinion, if done properly, it is not bad luck to rename a boat. Care must be taken, though, to obliterate any trace of the old name. Make sure that none of the boat’s tools, lifesaving gear, etc, carry the old name. Log books and paperwork need a thorough whiting-out.
It’s customary to have a little ceremony for the re-naming. The new name should be prominently displayed, of course. The captain should acquire a bottle of the most expensive libation that can be afforded, and more besides if the ceremony is to develop into a party.
The designated speaker should come up with some supplicating words, directed at the relevant deities of wind and water, a spirit, or higher power. Then a generous libation should be poured across the bow. The bottle, wrapped in a towel or not, can be broken against the boat. If fortunate enough to know someone who can take off a bottle’s neck with a knife or sword, this would be a smashing opportunity for a really memorable christening.
Naming a boat can take some folk longer than it took coming up with their children’s names. If the boater doesn’t know where to start in search of the perfect name, here are some suggestions.
FAMILY NAMES
Not very original and sometimes obscure. Grandmother may have been a worthy woman, but is it really important to have a boat known as The Mabel Weiner?
Some men name their boats after their wives or girlfriends. Unless the union is rock-solid, he may regret his decision later. Naming the boat after the first-born is nice, but what about subsequent kids; or kids from a later marriage? Problems abound.
INTANGIBLES
Tiger Woods named his yacht “Privacy”; that worked out well. Other over-used or unintentionally ironic concepts are Obsession, Serenity, Dream Weaver, Nirvana, and Carpe Diem. Keep searching.
PROFESSION OR BUSINESS
If someone from Cyberspace hasn’t named a boat Dot.Calm, jump on it. A liposuction physician’s sports car had the license plates Butts N’ Guts; whether he’s appended it to a boat isn’t yet known.
If a family business has a name poetic enough to appear on a boat, go for it. Boating’s supposed to take the mind off work and all, but free advertising is still free advertising.
If the name of the new boat still remains a mystery, First Boat has a boat name generator that could lend inspiration. Ten thousand boat names has very interesting looking boat name browsing and searching engines.
Remember, the best boat name is one that sounds good, is easily read and pronounced, and describes some aspect of the boater. If the name can also be clever or funny, that’s good as well, but it’s certainly not mandatory. Enjoy every aspect of the boat, name included.
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