Most Popular Boat Names in France

Whether you have just purchased a new or used boat, or whether you have already owned one for several months or years, you may be interested in different boat names. This may be the case, for example, if you are looking for a first boat name or if you wish to change the name of a vessel that already has one.

In this article, Bateau-immatriculation reminds you of the regulations, presents the most trendy boat names, and finally guides you in choosing your boat name.

Let's start with a quick reminder of the regulations. From a certain length and/or engine power, any motorboat or sailboat flying the French flag must bear a name. This is the case for all pleasure vessels.

The obligation to name a vessel also depends on the owner's navigation plans: if they wish to navigate outside French territorial waters, in foreign waters, it is mandatory to give a name to their boat.

The obligation to name a vessel serves one main purpose: rapid and easy identification of the boat, if needed. Emergency services, port authorities, other boaters or sailors nearby, the administration... many are the interlocutors who may need to identify you!
Finally, the boat's name is mentioned in the boat's papers. It is different from the unit's registration number and complements it.

You’ve got it: to be compliant, you probably need to choose a boat name to associate with your registration. But how do you choose this name?

To give you some ideas, here is the top 10 most used boat names in France in 2024:

Top 10 boat names in France, 2024

From Carpe Diem – the most popular boat name, to Nemo – 10th in the ranking of the most used boat names in France in 2024, you already have plenty of choice!

Don't want to choose a common boat name that's too often encountered? Then we invite you to continue reading this article...

Beyond the 10 most popular boat names in France, there are other major trends. When it comes to choosing a boat name, we all have similar ideas, or a similar approach:

Poseidon, Aeolus, Odysseus and his Odyssey…

Like Neptune, 9th in the ranking of French boat names used in 2024, boat names often refer to mythology. They mostly celebrate elements like water and wind – essential for navigation – or the concepts of travel and adventure – sought after by many sailors. As with Orion – 8th among the most frequently used boat names, there is also often a reference to stars and constellations: these are renowned for being reliable guides in navigation!

Mistral, Sirocco, Meltemi…

Depending on the navigation regions, wind names are also often used to name pleasure boats.

There are sailors who opt for a famous boat name or those who choose their boat's name in honor of their beloved. That's why boats often bear female first names!

It is also common to choose the first syllables of children's first names, or of each family member of the owner, and combine them to create a unique boat name.

Sailors also sometimes refer to a place they have already visited by boat, and which particularly struck them. Sometimes, it's a dream place, which they would love to have the opportunity to reach by sailing...

Let's not forget the many boat names invented from puns or intended to be humorous...

What's important to remember is that there are as many different boat names as there are boaters. So, whatever your choice of boat name, what's important to us is that you like it and that it matches your personality!

Choosing an original boat name that stands out from the most commonly used ship names is good. But it's not always mandatory! The possibilities differ, once again, depending on the category of the vessel concerned.

The top 10 French boat names that we previously showed you prove it: there is no obligation for owners of recreational vessels less than 24 meters long to choose a unique boat name. This is not a problem, even if hundreds of boats bear the same name!

The administration considers that the vessel's registration number is complementary: registration then makes it possible to differentiate between two boats with the same name.

For pleasure craft 24 meters in length or more, things work differently. Indeed, if you own such a vessel, you will need to choose a boat name that has not yet been used. A Certificate of Non-Similarity of Name will attest to compliance with regulations and authorize you to name the boat as you choose.

Please note: The name chosen for a pleasure craft less than 24 meters in hull length can be a name already borne by a vessel longer than 24 meters, provided that the characteristics and use of the two boats cannot be confused.

When it comes to choosing a name for your pleasure craft, the possibilities are almost endless. Only a few rare exceptions limit these choices, mainly to avoid potential abuses and problems during navigation.

Among the ideas for naming your vessel, for example, names that could compromise public order will be set aside. Crude or insulting names, or appellations that could cause confusion during communication, will also be eliminated. Any boat name that too closely resembles a safety message, in particular, will be rejected by the administration.

When it comes to choosing a name for your boat, you undoubtedly need to be imaginative. But it can also be useful to ask yourself a few questions.

• Is your chosen boat name easy to pronounce and spell, especially over the VHF radio?
• Will you be able to express it clearly, including in English?
• Is it a reasonable length, so it can be communicated quickly and fit on various forms?
• Finally, will it be easy to display on your vessel's hull?

When making your choice, we recommend paying attention to these questions: they could save you from many complicated situations!

Every owner who wishes to change the name of their boat, whether it is a sailboat or a motorboat, can do so at any time.

There is no need to decide at the time of purchasing a used boat: it is possible to take time to reflect, then change the name of your vessel a few months or years later. The boat name change can also take place multiple times.

To change a ship's name, the owner must apply to the administration for a name change. In addition to the changes to be made in the files of the departments concerned, the process involves modifying the ship's papers, and in particular the ship's Certificate of Registry.

Once you have completed your name change procedures, you will finally need to display the vessel's surname in accordance with regulations. Indeed, in pleasure boating, the name is part of the external identification marks of a vessel defined in Article D. 5111-5 of the Transport Code. These are mandatory under the Decree of 08/04/2009 relating to the identification marks of pleasure craft at sea, updated in December 2016.

Sailboats navigating in maritime areas, for example, are subject to this obligation from 7 meters in hull length. The name of the vessel must appear on the stern, with the two initials of the registration district.

Discover Navimmat, our cutting workshop for identification marks

Do you have a doubt about the possibility of using a particular boat name, or about the procedures for naming or renaming your unit?

As usual, our team offers to assist you. Contact Bateau-immatriculation.com, and put all the chances on your side to succeed in your name change!