Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes – Sometimes it is hard to know by simply looking at a name if it is a rock band name, racehorse name, or a boat name. For example, Oasis shows up as a rock band name, racehorse name, as well as a boat name. Well, Oasis is also a girl’s name. I would not be surprised if someone already is or is about to name their child Oasis. Not to mention having a few product names as Oasis. 

It is a changing world and, of course, these trends did not start with Coronavirus or Covid-19.  Are you ready for this name?  Can you guess what this stands for: X Æ A-12 ? I’ll give you a clue.  It is not a Davinci code, not a nautical or scientific formula, but a brand new 21st-century name! Yes, and it is a baby boy name given by his parents, Elon Musk and Grimes. I am not sure how to say X Æ A-12 and perhaps call a child to come over with this name.  The only comfort that I have is that apparently his parents also disagree on how the name is pronounced, so thank goodness, we now have an out.  Musk announced the birth of their baby boy in a post on Twitter Tuesday, May 5, telling a fan that they had chosen to call him X Æ A-12 Musk. CNN explains the pronunciation disagreement between the new parents. BBC also tells the story.

I bet it will not be too long before one of our boating enthusiasts community members names their pontoon boats, motorboats or sailboat, or for that matter their yachts or superyacht,  X Æ A-12. How cool is that?  Wherever you go, people would ask you how you say that name. You may have a bit of a problem if you have to call the Coast Guard for help over the radio, but let’s hope that you’ll never need to do that. If you need help from the Coast Guard, chances are that would be the least of your problems.  

My $100 Challenge

I have $100 for the first reader who sends me a photo (no photoshopping please), registration number, state, and copy of the registration card of the vessel. My offer ends on June 30, 2020.

Speaking of boat names, did you know that BoatUS has been keeping track of the Top 10 boat names since 2008?  The most popular name of 2019 on the list, number 1, is “Aquaholic.” Interestingly, it made number 1 on the list in 2012, as well. Guess what is the most popular name at number 10 of the 2019 list? It is “High Maintenance.” Well, of course, it is for those of us who own boats that are more than 5 years old. I guess a good number of us can attest to and appreciate that name. In 2018, number 1 was “Grace,” number 10 was “Pura Vita.” It seems that “Seas the Day” shows up within the top 10 almost every year, but made number 1 on the list in 2012. In 2008, the number 1 name was “Black Pearl” and number 10 was, yes, Carpe Diem!

While you are naming or renaming your boat, you have to watch out for a few dos and don’ts. Make sure to read the 15 Tacks to Take When Naming Your Boat article of our friends at Dockwa.

Well, that’s it for now. Stay well. I hope to say hello to you if you spot my boat, Life’s AOK, in one of the locations that I’m hoping to  visit in 2020, that is if Coronavirus permits us.

I bid you Fair Winds and Following Seas.

1 thing I learned

• The speed of changing technology of the 21st Century has started to be reflected in our culture, above and beyond our imagination.

2 things I recommend

• Check out the top ten boat names list of BoatUS
• Take my $100 challenge!

8/10/2020 – An update on this “What is in a name, X Æ A-12, a boat name or otherwise?” story – There have been no submissions received responding to my $100 Challenge. 

How easy?