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Whether you love sailing or setting sail on a cruise ship, you may be considering giving your new puppy a nautical-themed name. Nautical dog names are a great way to pay homage to your love of all things maritime. Not only are they unique, but they can also reflect your dog’s personality and characteristics. From historic names to sailing terms and cruise ship lines, the high seas just might give you some ideas for the perfect name for your new pup!
Nautical Terms as Names
Looking for a unique and fitting name for your canine companion? Look no further than the world of nautical terms! With so many cool and interesting words associated with sailing, ships, and the ocean, would one of these be a good fit for your new dog?
Aft: Towards the rear of a boat.
Anchor: A heavy object that is dropped into the water to prevent a boat from moving.
Beam: The widest part of a boat.
Bow: The front of a boat.
Buoy: A floating marker used for navigation or to mark hazards.
Capsize: When a boat overturns in the water (or the mayhem your puppy has brought to your home?)
Cleat: A fitting on a boat where ropes are secured.
Deck: The flat surface that forms the main outside walking area of a boat.
Dinghy: A small boat, often used as a tender for a larger boat.
Fathom: A unit of length equal to six feet, used especially for measuring the depth of water.
Gaff: A pole on a boat used to extend the top of a sail.
Galley: The kitchen area of a boat.
Halyard: A rope used to hoist sails.
Helm: The steering apparatus of a boat.
Jib: A triangular sail set forward of the mainmast.
Keel: The central structural base of the boat, extending along the bottom.
Knot: A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour; also a method of tying ropes.
Leeward: The direction away from the wind.
Mainsail: The principal sail on a sailboat.
Mast: A tall vertical spar, sometimes telescoping, that supports the sails.
Mooring: A place where a boat can be secured, or the act of securing a boat.
Port: The left side of a boat when facing forward.
Rudder: A flat piece of wood or metal at the stern of a boat, used for steering.
Sailor: A person whose occupation is to operate or assist in operating a boat or ship, experienced in navigation and the handling of a vessel.
Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast smaller than the main mast, and characterized by its use for cargo and passenger transport in the past.
Sheet: A rope used to control the angle of a sail to the wind.
Skipper: The captain or leader of a sailing vessel. A great name for a dog with natural leadership qualities.
Starboard: The right side of a boat when facing forward.
Stern: The rear part of a boat.
Tack: To change direction by turning the bow of the boat through the wind.
Tiller: The lever used to steer a boat. This name would suit a dog who loves to take charge.
Winch: A mechanical device used to pull in or let out ropes or cables.
Yawl: A two-masted sailing craft similar to a ketch, but with the mizzen mast positioned aft of the rudder post.
Cruise Ship Names for Dogs
If you’re a fan of the open sea, then you’ll love these cruise ship names for your furry friend!
Cruise Ship Terminology as Dog Names
Here are some cruise ship terms that make great dog names:
Anchor
Bow: A great name for a dog who is always at the front of the pack!
Buffet
Captain
Casino
Deck
Galley: A fun name for a dog who loves to eat.
Helm
Port
Purser
Starboard
Steward
Tender
Cruise Ship Lines
Would one of these cruise ship lines make a great dog name?
Avalon
Azamara
Carnival
Celebrity
Celestyal
Costa
Crystal
Cunard
Disney
Dream
Marella
NCL
Oceania
Paul Gauguin
Princess
Quark
Regent
Royal Caribbean
Saga
Seabourn
Tauck
Viking
Virgin
Windstar
Historical Nautical Names
If you’re looking for a dog name that has a strong connection to the sea, historical nautical names are a great place to start. These names are inspired by legendary seafarers, famous ship names, and iconic maritime figures. Here are some examples of historical nautical names to consider for your furry friend.
Legendary Seafarers
Amerigo: Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator, and cartographer who played a prominent role in exploring the New World.
Blackbeard: A notorious pirate who terrorized the seas during the early 18th century.
Cabot: John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) was an Italian navigator and explorer who is credited with the discovery of parts of North America under the commission of Henry VII of England.
Erik the Red: A Norse explorer remembered in medieval and Icelandic saga sources as having founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland. A fun name for a red dog!
Columbus: The Italian explorer who is credited with European discovery of the New World in 1492.
Leif Erikson: A Norse explorer from Iceland who is believed to have been the first European to have set foot on continental North America, approximately half a millennium before Columbus.
Magellan: The Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe in the early 16th century.
Marco Polo: A Venetian merchant and adventurer who traveled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295, this name would also be fun if you’ve adopted two dogs!
Nelson: The British naval commander who defeated the French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Pytheas: An ancient Greek geographer and explorer from the Greek colony of Massalia who made a voyage of exploration to northwestern Europe around 325 BC.
Tasman: Abel Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages that led to the discovery of Tasmania and New Zealand.
Vasco: Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea, linking Europe and Asia for the first time by ocean route.
Famous Ship Names
Cutty Sark: One of the last tea clippers to be built and one of the fastest, now preserved as a museum ship in Greenwich, London.
Flying Dutchman: A legendary ghost ship that can never make port, doomed to sail the oceans forever.
Endeavour: The ship commanded by Captain James Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
Golden Hind: Sir Francis Drake’s galleon, famous for circumnavigating the globe between 1577 and 1580. A fun name for a yellow dog.
HMS Beagle: A British Royal Navy ship on which Charles Darwin made his famous voyage, leading to his theory of evolution–and, yes, a suitable name for a Beagle!
Mayflower: The ship that transported the Pilgrims from England to the New World in 1620.
Nautilus: The fictional submarine captained by Nemo in Jules Verne’s novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island.
Queen Mary: A retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean during the early to mid-20th century.
Santa Maria: The largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas in 1492; an apt name for a large doggie!
Vasa: A Swedish warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961, now housed in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.
Victory: The flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Iconic Maritime Figures
Davy Jones: The mythical sailor who was said to be the owner of the locker where the souls of drowned sailors were kept.
Neptune: The Roman god of the sea.
Poseidon: The Greek god of the sea and earthquakes.
Triton: The son of Poseidon and messenger of the sea in Greek mythology.
Color-Based Nautical Names
If you are looking for a unique and meaningful name for your nautical pup, consider color-based nautical names. These names are inspired by the colors of the sea and can be a great way to pay homage to your love of the ocean.
Blues of the Sea
Blue is the most common color associated with the sea, and there are many shades of blue that can make great nautical names for your dog.
Azure: A bright blue color that is reminiscent of the clear skies on a sunny day at sea.
Cobalt: A deep blue color that is similar to the color of the ocean on a cloudy day.
Indigo: A rich, deep blue color that is reminiscent of the deep sea.
Navy: A dark blue color that is often associated with nautical uniforms and equipment.
Sky: A light blue color that is reminiscent of the clear skies and calm waters of a beautiful day at sea.
Whites & Brights
White is another common color associated with the sea, and there are many other bright colors that can make nautical names for your dog.
Ivory: A soft, creamy white color that is reminiscent of the sandy beaches along the coast.
Pearl: A luminous white color that is reminiscent of the beautiful pearls found in the ocean.
Reef: A bright, colorful name that is reminiscent of the vibrant coral reefs found in the ocean.
Sand: A light, sandy color that is reminiscent of the beaches along the coast.
Seashell: A soft, delicate name that is reminiscent of the beautiful seashells found on the shore.
Darks & Depths
Finally, the deep, dark colors of the sea can also make great nautical names for your dog. Here are some examples in alphabetical order:
Coal: A dark, rich color that is reminiscent of the depths of the ocean.
Midnight: A deep, dark color that is reminiscent of the night sky over the ocean.
Onyx: A dark, almost black color that is reminiscent of the deep sea.
Storm (or Stormy): A dark, moody name that is reminiscent of the tumultuous storms that can occur at sea.
Twilight: A dark, mysterious name that is reminiscent of the time of day when the sky begins to turn dark and the ocean takes on a deep blue hue.
Contemporary Nautical Names
If you’re looking for a modern and unique name for your sea-loving pup, consider these contemporary nautical names.
Movie Seafaring Culture
With the rise of seafaring movies, there are plenty of names to choose from. Some popular options include:
Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
Captain (Captain Phillips)
Jack (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Moana (Moana)
Nemo (Finding Nemo)
Celebrity Yacht Names
Celebrities often have extravagant yachts with unique names that can serve as inspiration for dog names. Here are a few examples:
Eos (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Seven Seas (Steven Spielberg)
Venus (Steve Jobs)
White Rabbit (Sam Walton)
When choosing a nautical dog name, remember to consider the name’s meaning and how it fits with your pup’s personality. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect name for your seafaring companion.
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Paris Permenter is the award-winning co-author, with John Bigley, of over 30 pet and travel books including The Healthy Hound Cookbook and Texas with Dogs, both available through Simon and Schuster. Paris is also a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. Latest posts by Paris Permenter (see all)
