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Any ideas for a new ship name?

Bry_Sinclair

Vice Admiral
Admiral
After I submitted my entry for the January challenge, another idea began forming in my mind, which I have looked at every now and then to see what might have been, to the point where I'm thinking I might give it a little go when I have a free moment.

The idea is based in the 23rd century, beginning in 2263 and is set in the civilian world, onboard an old cargo transport, since modified to give it a little wider operational remit (the more jobs they can accomplish, the more they can be offered). I'm not envisioning it as Star Trek Firefly, they will still be law abiding citizens, but just operate independently.

What I'm really needing now is a name for the ship. Something that inspires ideas of independence and a free-spiritedness, but can't really settle on anything that feels right. If anyone has any possible names, please feel free to suggest them. The ideas I've had so far are:
- Horizon
- Walkabout
- Wanderer
- Wayfarer

As for the motley crew of the [ENTER NAME HERE], I have all but one of them pretty much set:
Captain Rachel Keller - Human, Female, 33
Once a bright and promising officer, her career came to an end when she was Second Officer onboard the Kane, due to an act of conscience that went against her superiors orders.
First Mate Devanisari "Sari" zh'Tharr - Andorian, Zhen, 30
Keller's former shipmate, she resigned from Starfleet in protest over her friends unjust dismissal.
Master-at-Arms Rotheron H'Vahrr - Caitian, Male, 43
A fromer non-com who also served with Keller onboard the Kane, like Sari he was outraged at her dishonourable discharge and quit.
Chief Engineer Tarv ganash Moq - Tellarite, Male, 55
A good all round Mr Fix-it, he is pretty laid back (for a Tellarite), and has a knack from making things work with little time or supplies.
Navigator Sokell - Vulcan, Male, 25
Very intelligent, composed and logical, he is all you would expect from a Vulcan, but in reality he is running away from his obligations back home.
Helmsman Leon Asher - Human, Male, 24
Impetuous and brash, his abilties as a pilot are unquestionable, but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired--which is why he was kicked out of the Academy.
Boatswain Ky-Ven - Orion, Male, 29
A rugged and ballsy man, he is a jack-of-all-trades who sells his services as he searches for his missing twin sister.
Engineer's Mate Megumi Hashimoto - Human, Female, 19
Smart and a quick-study, she has only ever wanted to get into space, but without the strict rules of Starfleet. She is talented but still has a lot to learn.
Sister Inaya - Deltan, Female, Doesn't Say
A member of the Sisters of Arisi, a spiritual community on Delta IV, she has headed out on a pilgrimage to help those that need it, so she offers her services as healer and apothecary.

The only one who needs to be rethought is the ships cook/purser/steward, I have an idea in mind but had to rethink the species, name, etc.
 
Here are a few suggestions:

Wind Dancer
Free Spirit
Keller's Komet
Roustabout
Wild Blue
Stardust

I like your story premise. -TLR
 
One thing I am also debating is whether to include a small shuttlecraft onboard or not. Not really sure when, why or how it would be used, but sometimes its a handy plot device.
 
If you can't understand why a freighter with a battleship name sounds stupid then I doubt you'll understand my explanation.
 
If you can't understand why a freighter with a battleship name sounds stupid then I doubt you'll understand my explanation.

Xhosa could be translated as 'fierce' or 'angry'...

All the names I offered are loose synonyms for "free spirited" or "independence" as the OP requested.

No need to be rude.
 
I'm not envisioning it as Star Trek Firefly,

This is a lie. There are signs of Firefly's influence all over this idea, including in the choice of ship and the characters of Keller, Sari and Inaya.

The good news is that this means there's an easy solution to your problem of naming the ship. In his own clumsy way, Sandoval is right. You don't want to give it the name of a battleship or anything else that remotely screams "FEDERATION STARFLEET! (DA-DADADAAAA!)"

Follow Firefly's example. The ship at the center of the show is named Serenity. It was named by Mal Reynolds, and any good browncoat knows the significance of the name to him. So, your Captain Keller names the ship, and the name has to have personal significance to her.

So you have to pick a name that has personal significance to Keller. Maybe it's one of the names suggested so far, but it's more likely to be something more offbeat, like Mom's Quilt or Tough Cookie or, hell, Firefly, but definitely something personal to Keller.

And therefore it's not something any of us can help you with. As her creator, you know the character better than we do.
 
This is a lie. There are signs of Firefly's influence all over this idea, including in the choice of ship and the characters of Keller, Sari and Inaya.
I'm not seeing the similarities myself, none of them fought in a war of independence, lost and then turned tail and headed into the black. Keller and Sari were both career minded officers who were forced out / quit, due to a fraught situation where the excrement hit the fan big time and Keller was strung out to dry.

Sari, a numerous generation Starfleeter, who lives for the code of honour it is based on resigns outright after seeing how the system is twisted and manipulated for the advantage of others.

In reality I see Keller more like John Crichton, a scientist and adventurer who still clings to her last shred of optimism and wonder at the universe (though with breasts). Whilst Sari is more a soldier the likes of Aeryn Sun, cut out of the life she loved and now has to find her way. Whilst Inaya borrows traits of Inara Serra's sensuality, she ain't no whore, more a combination of Zhaan's spiritualism and Jool's great intellect.

The characters I create won't be carbon copies of the ones mentioned--they are mentioned just to give you a feel for how I would hope to portray them, each with a Trek feel to them as well as their own passions and flaws that define them.

As for naming the ship after something meaningful to Keller, she's not that sentimental. This ship is what she hopes will be a new chapter in her life, leaving behind what was in the past and moving on to try and make something new for herself. She would most likely keep the ship's original name, but if that were lost she would try to think of something more generic.

But if Star Trek Firefly is how you see it, then I hope it would end up being half as good as that :).
 
I have two ship names for you, Bry.

Shaded Beauty
Vortex Runner

I guess I was thinking of the ships that they named on Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda when I thought them up. I hope they help you, sir. :bolian:
 
AH, names. So much is hidden within them, meanings, past experiences, et al.

Although ST Fleet ships aren't supposed to be named for people, (so I've heard), civvie ships are different.

How about the USS Freeman Dyson?

With a name like that, I imagine the captain is Anglo, possibly American. You could go with a President's name, a famous explorer ( the USS Kit Carson) or other person of significance to Keller-perhaps someone she admires. USS Rosa Parks ?Or it could be named for an animal, like a favorite childhood pet. USS Shibu Inyu , maybe? Or the USS Persian Kitty ? :)

Then again, she's acargo ship. Probably tows civilian scientists to obscure destinations, too. A complete non sequitar might be in order. USS WardHeeler , or USS Tammany Hall. And if Keller wants to wear her anger on her sleeve, the USS Up Yours! works rather well.
 
It might help to name it if you came up with how she obtained the ship. Maybe you should write up an entire background for the ship. If, as in most trek lit, the ship will be a "character", this will help give it more verisimilitude. Damage and repairs over the years can have lasting effects. Perhaps the name given by the prior owner is still being used? Maybe there's a story there?

Also:
USS Breakwind, hehe.
USS Breaking Way
USS Blue Sun
USS Fleeting Moon
USS Making Way
USS Muddling Through
 
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