What Should You Name Your Boat? The Best Boat Names, Bad Puns and UK Rules

You've found the boat, agreed the price and arranged the survey. Perhaps even started planning your first trip.

Now comes one of the most important decisions of all.

What are you going to call it?

For some owners, the name is obvious. For others, it's a decision that involves weeks of deliberation, family arguments and an increasingly ridiculous collection of suggestions.

And judging by some of the names you see around British marinas, quite a few people have let their sense of humour get the better of them.

Everyone loves a boat-related pun

There's something about boat ownership that brings out the comedian in people.

Walk around almost any marina and you'll encounter names involving knots, seas, fish or questionable financial decisions.

Some of our favourites include:

• Pier Pressure

• Knot Paid For

• Liquid Asset

• Seas the Day

• Reel Therapy

These aren't just names we've made up. All five featured among the ten most frequently ordered boat-name graphics from American boating organisation BoatUS in 2025.

Clearly, questionable nautical humour isn't exclusively British.

And given what we do at SALT, we have a particular appreciation for Knot Paid For.

Sometimes simple is better

Not everyone wants a joke permanently attached to their transom.

Names like Serenity, Second Wind, Freedom and Escape have an enduring appeal.

Others choose something personal. A family member's name, a favourite destination, or somewhere that holds special memories.

Some owners name their boats after a previous vessel, carrying the same name through several upgrades.

There's no right answer.

Although we'd suggest avoiding anything you wouldn't feel comfortable repeating three times over the VHF radio.

Is it bad luck to rename a boat?

According to maritime superstition, yes. Traditional sailors believed that a boat's name was recorded by Neptune, and changing it without the appropriate ceremony risked upsetting the gods of the sea.

The solution?

A renaming ceremony, usually involving a suitable speech, a request for Neptune's blessing and, rather conveniently, some champagne.

There's no evidence that Neptune has ever objected to a change of name, but we're certainly not going to discourage an excuse for a celebration.

Just remember to keep the champagne out of the water.

Are there rules about naming boats in the UK?

Actually, yes. If your boat is registered on Part 1 of the UK Ship Register, its name needs to be approved.

It must be sufficiently different from existing registered names, including names that sound too similar when spoken.

Offensive or potentially confusing names can also be rejected.

Part 1 registration is particularly relevant for larger purchases and boats with registered marine mortgages.

Smaller privately owned boats can often use the Small Ships Register (Part 3), which has different requirements.

And if you want to change the name of an already registered boat, you'll need to update the registration. The current fee is £46 for a Part 1 name change or £35 for Part 3.

Worth checking before ordering those enormous gold letters for the stern.

Buying a boat? The name is the fun bit

There's plenty to think about when buying a boat. Surveys, insurance, registration, moorings and, of course, paying for it.

At SALT, we help people navigate the finance side of buying new and used boats.

Our application process is digital, but our team understands boats and is always happy to talk through the practicalities of a purchase.

If you're still searching for your next boat, Boats On Finance is a good place to start exploring what's available.

As for what to call it?

That's entirely up to you.

Just remember that whatever name you choose, you'll eventually have to say it out loud to a harbourmaster.

And possibly explain it to your mother.

Frequently asked questions

Can two boats have the same name in the UK?

It depends on their registration. Part 1 registered vessels must have names sufficiently distinct from other registered vessels. Different rules apply to boats on the Small Ships Register.

Can I change the name of a boat I've bought?

Yes. If the boat is registered, you'll need to follow the relevant registration process. Whether you also hold a ceremony to appease Neptune is entirely your decision.

Do I have to name my boat?

Not every privately owned pleasure boat needs a registered name. Requirements depend on how and where the boat is used and whether it is registered.

Finance disclaimer: Finance is subject to status, affordability and approval. Your boat provides security for the loan and may be repossessed if repayments are not maintained.