Latin boat names add a touch of sophistication to any boat. Not every boat you run across has to have a funny boat name, although many are and they’re great. But choosing a Latin name can give new meaning and gravitas to your boat. If you like a boat name to be distinguished and powerful, try some of these on for size. 

Latin Names and Meanings

Boat Name On A Transom

These are names for things that maybe don’t already exist but definitely lend themselves to fishing boats, sailboats and anything in between. Things like the Mare Regem or the Dominus Maris aren’t proper Latin names nor are they known Latin phrases. But they do make for powerful and memorable boat names that may capture the spirit of your new vessel.

 

  1. Mare Nostrum – Our Sea
  2. Mare Regem – Sea King
  3. Mare Serpens – Sea Serpent
  4. Maris Imbre – Sea Spray
  5. Mare Stella – Sea Star
  6. Regina Maris – Queen of the Sea
  7. Oceanum Susurri – Ocean Whisper
  8. Dominus Maris – Lord of the Seas
  9. Fatum Maris – Fate of the Sea
  10. Solis Occasum – Sunset
  11. Tempus Natat – Time Floats
  12. Tempus Fugit – Time Flies
  13. Sol Quaesitor – Sun Seeker
  14. Sol Rex – Sun King
  15. Die Irae – Day of Wrath
  16. Nolite Timere – Do Not Be Afraid/No Fear
  17. In Vino Veritas – In Wine Truth
  18. Navis Bacchi – The Ship of Bacchus
  19. Navis Veritas – The Ship of Truth
  20. Improbus Navum – Rogue Ship
  21. Deo Volente – God Willing
  22. Deus Ex Machina – The Machine of God
  23. Ex Animo – From the Heart
  24. Ex Nihilo – Out of Nothing
  25. Invicta – Unconquered/invincible
  26. Invictus – Invincible/unconquered
  27. Semper Fideles – Always Faithful
  28. Semper Fortis – Always Brave
  29. Ad Glorium – For Glory
  30. Vita Brevis – Life is Short
  31. Vita Somnium – Life is a Dream
  32. Regina Caelorum – Queen of Heaven
  33. Tabula Rasa – Blank Slate
  34. Ignus Argentius – Silver Fire
  35. Ignus Fatuus – Foolish Fire
  36. Fidei Defensor – Defender of the Faith
  37. Tenax Propositi – Tenacious of Purpose
  38. Mea Culpa – My Fault/I’m Sorry
  39. Persona Non Grata – Unwelcome Person
  40. Sui Generis – In Its Own Class
  41. Cui Bono? – Good for Who?
  42. Festina Lente – Hurry Slowly
  43. Ita Vero – Thus Indeed/Yes
  44. Lux Brumalis – The Light of Winter
  45. Apricus – Sunny/Full of Sunlight
  46. Ad Astra – To the Stars
  47. Amator Siderum – Lover of the Stars
  48. Mellifluus – Flowing with Honey
  49. Felix Culpa – Happy Fault
  50. Ab Aeterno – From the Eternal
  51. Ad Victorium – To Victory
  52. Ad Undas – To the Waves/To Hell
  53. Ab Extra – From Beyond
  54. Ad Infinitum – To Infinity
  55. Ab Initio – From the Beginning
  56. Aqua Vitae – Water of Life
  57. Advocatus Diaboli – Devil’s Advocate
  58. Mare Liberum – Free Sea
  59. Aqua Regia – Royal Water
  60. Arduus ad Solem – Striving Towards the Sun
  61. Coniunctis Viribus – With Connected Strength
  62. Manu Forte – With Strength of Hand
  63. Tempora Heroic – The Heroic Age
  64. Suum Cuique – To Each His Own
  65. Semper Anticus – Always Forward
  66. Tempestas Cursor – Storm Runner
  67. Prima Luce – At Dawn
  68. Primum Movens – Prime Mover
  69. Arcana Imperii – The Secrets of Power
  70. Summa Potestas –  The Sum of Power

Latin Words and Meanings

In this list you’ll find some single words that offer either a cool sounding name or a profound meaning that could really apply to your time at sea. Not all of these words are necessarily nautical in nature but they can certainly apply to any vessel.

 

  1. Sanctuarium – Sanctuary
  2. Adsum – I am Here
  3. Solis – Of the Sun
  4. Fortuna – Fortune/Luck
  5. Concordia – Harmony
  6. Pax – Peace
  7. Oscen – A bird whose cry is an omen
  8. Intrepidus – Fearless
  9. Fulmin – Thunderbolt
  10. Lumen – Light
  11. Umbra – Shadows
  12. Alatus – Winged
  13. Amabilis – Loveable
  14. Arctos – Bear
  15. Candidus – Bright White
  16. Corvus – Raven/Crow
  17. Ferox – Fierce/Wild
  18. Palustris – Of the Swamp
  19. Ventus – Wind/Of the Wind
  20. Adamo – To Fall in Love
  21. Meliora – Better Things
  22. Susarrar – Whisper
  23. Sapientia – Wisdom
  24. Aeternum – Eternity
  25. Margarita – Pearl
  26. Imber – Rain/Rain Shower

 

Latin Phrases and Meanings

These are some Latin phrases that you may or may not have heard over the years. These phrases have meanings that may relate to you personally or how you feel about boating, fishing, sailing or the sea in general.

 

  1. Et Facta Est Lux – And Then There Was Light
  2. Fiat Lux – Let There Be Light
  3. Ex Oriente Lux – Light From the East
  4. Ex Umbra in Solem – From the Shadow Into the Light
  5. Arte et Marte – By Skill and Valor
  6. Caput Inter Nubila – Head in the Clouds
  7. Crescente Luce – Light Ever Increasing
  8. Luce Veritatis – By the Light of Truth
  9. Luceat Lux Vestra – Let Your Light Shine
  10. Lux ex Tenebris – Light From Darkness
  11. Primus Inter Pares – First Among Equals
  12. Vae Victis – Woe to the Conquered
  13. Carpe Diem – Seize the Day
  14. T Nunc Et Semper – Now and Forever
  15. Veni Vidi Vici – I came, I saw, I conquered
  16. Nec Mergitur – Nor Is It Drowned/Does Not Sink
  17. Alis Aquilae – On Eagle’s Wings
  18. Abyssus Abyssum Invocat -Depth Calleth Unto Depth/Sea Calls to Sea
  19. Arare Litus – To Plow the Seashore
  20. Luctor et Emergo – I Struggle and Emerge
  21. Mare Ditat – The Sea Enriches
  22. Ad Altiora Tendo – I Strive Towards Higher Things
  23. Non Ducor, Duco – I Am Not Led, I Lead
  24. Ad Astra per Aspera – Through Hardship to the Stars
  25. Manus in Mano – Hand in Hand
  26. Aere Perennius – More Lasting Than Bronze
  27. Dum Spiro, Spero – While I Breathe, Hope
  28. Alis Propriis Volat – She Flies with her Own Wings
  29. Ignis Aurum Probat – Fire Tests Gold
  30. Lupus in Fabula – The Wolf in the Story/Speak of the Devil
  31. Amor Vincit Omnia – Love Conquers All
  32. Audentes Fortuna Iuvat – Fortune Favors the Bold
  33. Nemo Saltat Sobrius – Nobody Dances Sober
  34. Nitimur in Vetitum – We Strive for the Forbidden
  35. Pecunia Non Olet – Money Don’t Smell
  36. Quo Vadis – Where Are You Going?
  37. Alea Iacta Est – The Die Has Been Cast
  38. Cogito, ergo sum – I Think, Therefore I Am
  39. Memento Vivere – Remember to Live
  40. Acta, Non Verba – Deeds, Not Words
  41. Quid Pro Quo – Something for Something
  42. Praemonitus Praemunitus – Forewarned is Forearmed
  43. Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit – Nothing Comes from Nothing
  44. Sic Parvis Magna – Greatness from Small Beginnings

 

The Bottom Line

 

Just because Latin is a dead language doesn’t mean it can’t capture the spirit of your vessel. There’s a poetic and dignified quality to Latin names that sets them apart from the typical boat names that are often just puns. Just remember to double check when it’s a longer phrase that it makes grammatical sense as sometimes online translators can get things wrong.