Whether "Lisa", "Windsbraut", "Joker" or "Sonnenschein" - boat names are as individual as their creators. But what do sailors actually use as a guide when searching for the right name for their boat? This question is now to be researched scientifically for the first time.
In the past, YACHT has also addressed this topic on several occasions. However, the focus has always been on presenting the variety of ideas for ship names. Now Dr Jan Claas Freienstein has set out to get to the bottom of the matter using scientifically sound methods.
Freienstein is an assistant at the Chair of German Linguistics at the University of Augsburg. He has developed a special questionnaire in order to find out more about the way in which ideas are generated and the decision-making process in the naming process. In addition to general ship data, the questionnaire focuses on the reasons that led to the decision in favour of a particular name. Other questions are also dedicated to the naming of the ship. Claas wants to find out which ceremonies sailors follow.
To ensure that the project delivers meaningful results, Freienstein relies on the help of as many boat owners as possible. He has made the questionnaire accessible to everyone on the Internet. The address is
It only takes a few minutes to answer the questions. Those who take part have the opportunity to tell their own personal story that goes hand in hand with the name of their ship.
YACHT will report in detail on the results and the most exciting stories as soon as the data has been analysed.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
