The Art of Naming Your Boat: 102 Creative & Unique Ideas
For those looking to buy a boat or yacht, you’ll quickly realize that many factors go into finding the perfect vessel—whether it’s for cruising, sailing, exploring, or the thrill of a speed boat. From size and functionality to budget and maintenance, the decision-making process can be extensive. But once you’ve settled on the right boat, there’s one purely fun, non-serious aspect of ownership that allows captains and cruisers to get creative without spending a dime. Some might argue this is the single most important decision of all: naming your boat.
If you’ve dreamed of owning a boat or a larger yacht, you’ve likely already considered a name. Popular choices include punny boat names inspired by summer, sand, and sea, as well as inside jokes like a play on your name or a nod to a significant life event (“She Got the House” or “401K”). Song titles, lyrics, movies, and cultural catchphrases also offer clever boat name inspiration.
Don’t have the perfect boat name yet? We’ve rounded up unique, funny, classic, and classy boat names to inspire your search for the ideal maritime moniker. Whether you prefer something sophisticated, humorous, or pop-culture-inspired, this list has you covered.
Funny Boat Names
A great boat name should make people smile—or at least groan at the pun. These clever and humorous names are perfect for captains with a sense of humor:
-
Aboat Time
-
Alimony (For those who’ve paid their dues!)
-
Are We There Yet?
-
Fin & Tonic (For the cocktail-loving sailor)
-
Fishy Business
-
Flying Dutchman (A nod to pirate lore)
-
Feeling Yachty (A play on “feeling fancy”)
-
Gone Fishin’ (The ultimate retirement dream)
-
In a Meeting (Perfect for workaholics on vacation)
-
Joan’s Ark (A biblical twist)
-
Jolly Roger (Classic pirate vibes)
-
Kids’ Inheritance (For those spending it all now)
-
Knot Working (A sailor’s pun)
-
The Kraken (Mythical sea monster fans, unite!)
-
Liquid Asset (Because boats are investments… sort of)
-
Out of Office (The best auto-reply)
-
Pier Pressure (Peer pressure, but nautical)
-
Reel Therapy (Fishing = therapy)
-
Rest a Shore (Punny relaxation)
-
Retirement (Living the dream)
-
She Got the House (Divorce humor)
-
Shell of a View (For beach lovers)
-
Skipper’s Girl (Or “Skipper’s Boy”)
-
Weekend Edition (For part-time sailors)
-
What’s Up Dock? (A play on “What’s up, doc?”)
-
Yacht Rock (For smooth sailing and smooth tunes)
-
Yachty or Nice? (Naughty or nice, but maritime)
-
Yachty, Yachty, Yadda (A play on “Yada yada”)
-
401K (Because boats are where the money goes)
-
5 O’Clock Somewhere (For the eternal happy hour)
Classic Boat Names
If humor isn’t your style, these timeless and elegant boat names evoke the spirit of the sea, adventure, and relaxation:
-
Always Saturday (Because weekends should never end)
-
Amazing Grace (A beautiful hymn-inspired name)
-
Anchors Away (A classic sailing phrase)
-
Blessed (For the grateful sailor)
-
Captain’s Quarters (Where the real relaxation happens)
-
Coast Is Clear (Smooth sailing ahead)
-
Crosswinds (For those who love a challenge)
-
Due South (Navigation meets adventure)
-
Ecsta-sea (A play on “ecstasy”)
-
El Capitán (For the proud captain)
-
Endless Summer (The dream never ends)
-
Freedom (The ultimate escape)
-
Golden Hour (Sunset lovers, this one’s for you)
-
Good Times (Simple and nostalgic)
-
Happy Hour (Because every hour should be happy)
-
High Seas (For the adventurous)
-
Honeymoon (Romantic and timeless)
-
Island Girl (Or “Island Boy”)
-
Lady in Red (A classic and elegant choice)
-
Lady of the Lake (Mystical and serene)
-
Livin’ the Dream (Because you are!)
-
Midas Touch (Everything you touch turns to gold)
-
Nothin’ But Blue Skies (Optimism on the water)
-
No Worries (Hakuna Matata, boat edition)
-
One Moor Time (A play on “one more time”)
-
One More Day (Because you never want to leave)
-
Sea-Batical (A sabbatical, but better)
-
Sea Bum (For the laid-back sailor)
-
Seas the Day (Carpe Diem, nautical style)
-
Seas the Moments (Cherish every wave)
-
Sol Surfer (For the sun-loving surfer)
-
Soul Searching (A voyage within)
-
Southern Belle (Elegant and charming)
-
Starfish (Simple and ocean-inspired)
-
Sunkissed (For sun worshippers)
-
Sunny Daze (Life’s better in the sun)
-
Sun’s Out (Guns out? No—suns out!)
-
Sweet Sea (A play on “sweetie”)
-
Vitamin Sea (The best kind of vitamin)
-
Wish You Were Here (A sentimental favorite)
Boat Names Inspired by Music, Movies, Shows, and More
Pop culture offers endless inspiration for boat names. Here are some clever references:
-
Below Deck (For Bravo fans)
-
Catch Me If You Can (Adventure awaits)
-
Changes in Latitudes (A Jimmy Buffett nod)
-
The Codfather (For fishing enthusiasts)
-
Far & Away (A dreamy escape)
-
Good Vibrations (Beach Boys forever)
-
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles fans, rejoice)
-
Maverick (Top Gun vibes)
-
O Captain! My Captain! (A poetic Walt Whitman reference)
-
Overboard (A classic boating movie)
-
Rock the Boat (Because why not?)
-
Serendipity (Happy accidents at sea)
Pretty and Classy Boat Names
For those who prefer elegance and sophistication, these names exude grace and beauty:
-
Sunbath
-
Beautiful Sun
-
Seize the Day
-
Hello Beautiful
-
Of the Sea
-
Sweet Idleness
-
Idealization
-
The Sweet Life
-
The Sea (Simple and powerful)
-
Butterfly (Delicate and free)
-
Hello (Warm and welcoming)
-
Neptune (God of the sea)
-
Sea Breeze (Fresh and light)
-
Do? All of (A mysterious charm)
Final Thoughts
Naming your boat is a personal and exciting part of boat ownership. Whether you choose something funny, classic, or pop-culture-inspired, the perfect name will make your vessel feel uniquely yours. So take your time, have fun with it, and soon enough, you’ll be sailing under a name that perfectly captures your boat’s spirit—and yours.
