Monday 21 March 2011

Narrowboat names

We read with interest the names of boats for sale in our boating magazines.  There are names that we simply couldn't live with, names that we really like... and in between... those that are fine and we could live with them.  A look through Jim Shead's boat name listing is interesting.  I often wonder how and why people have come up with the names they've chosen.  I particularly like the names that have a story behind them or a reason for them coming about : nb Epiphany

There are animal names : Aardvark, Badger, Barn Owl, Armadillo, Kiwi
And many, many boats with "human" names : Kelly Louise, Matilda Rose
Australian names : Aborigine, Rainbow Lorikeet, Kookaburra, Aussie Blue
Canal names : Aim 4 The Bank, Lock 'n' Roll
"Getting away from it all" names : Aint We Blessed, Dream Drifter, No Problem, Be-Calmed
Cute names : Lucky Duck, Tickety Boo
Names from the owners initials : Eninjay, Em-Jay
Or from the owners surname : Moore2Life, 4Evermoore 

Some of my favourites :
The Flying Finn (my mum's from Finland and it was a lovely boat too!),
Lady River Mouse (a sweet name which is an anagram of "live your dreams").

Meanwhile we keep dreaming about what our boat might be called.

3 comments:

Alleycat said...

Interesting that you see so many boats with human names - our first boat (a motor cruiser, not a nb) was called Chiffon Haze but we didn't like it at all so we changed it to Evelyn Louisa, named after my mother in law not only because she was a dear sweet lady sorely missed but also because it was money from her will that enabled us to buy our beloved first boat. I suspect similar reasoning behind many other "people name" boats!

Regards
Aly

Elly and Mick said...

Hi Aly,
We did read of someone else who named their boat after the person who left them money which enabled them to buy the boat. It's a lovely idea. Plus, the older folk of today often have names that just seem to suit a boat... or a hen. :) I love old lady names for my hens.
Thanks for the comment.
Elly

Anonymous said...

Hi - I'm David current owner of LadyRiverMouse and just want to say glad you like the name of the boat that has been my home for the past 4 years