The History and Superstitions Behind Boat Naming Traditions

By Connie Tucker, 23 April, 2025

Naming a boat is more than personal—it's deeply rooted in history and superstition. Ancient sailors believed changing a boat’s name without ceremony would anger the gods of the sea. Today, modern captains honor this tradition with naming or renaming rituals. But aside from ceremony, there's legality: before setting sail, you’ll need to find boat registration number details and ensure your name is officially recorded. Turns out, Neptune isn't the only one keeping records.