Nautical Pet Names

Terms for Nautical Pet Names F to K

Use these nautical names and sailing terms to inspire pet names with a nautical theme.

For some reason, I love the idea of a hamster named Fetch. Or a cat named Flotsam. And that's just the F's!!

By the way, if you've ever been curious about where the descriptive term Footloose comes from, read on...

Terms for Nautical Pet Names F to K

Fathom – A unit of measurement once equal to the distance between a man’s outstretched hands. Said to be 6 feet or 1.8 metres.

Fender– Padding used to protect boats when they are moored close to one another or the docks.

Fetch – Describes the distance travelled by wind or waves across open water or the distance a boat must sail to reach open water.

Fid – A tool for ropes. Either a tapered wooden tool used in splicing ropes or a bar used to fix a mast in place.

First Lieutenant – The senior lieutenant on board. Is responsible for the crew.

First Mate – The second in command of a ship.

Flank – The fastest speed a ship can go.

Flare – Describes the curve of the side of a ship as well as a flaming signal light.

Flotsam – Floating rubbish, specifically relating to a shipwreck.

Fluke – The hook of an anchor's arms that digs into the bottom.

Foot – The bottom of a sail or mast, and a measurement of 12 inches.

Footloose – Describes a loose sail.

Footrope – The rope strung along the the yard where sailors can stand while setting or stowing sails.

Forecastle – The forward part of a ship where the crew has quarters.

Forward – Anything towards the bow of the ship.

Founder – Describes a ship filling with water and sinking.

Fore – As for forward it describes anything towards the bow of the ship.

Forefoot – The lower part of the keel of a ship.

Foremast jack – An enlisted sailor who is entitled have quarters before the foremast.

Forestays – Long ropes or cables used to support the mast.

Foul – A tangled line or broken rule.

Furl – Roll up the sails out of the way.

Futtocks – Middle timbers of a ship’s frame, between the floor and the top timbers.

Gaff – A long hook with a sharp point used to grab ropes or to haul fish in.

Galley – The ship’s kitchen.

Gangplank – A plank slid out to make a temporary walkway between the ship and a dock or pier.

Gangway – A gate or opening in the bulwark to make is easier to board or leave the ship.

Gooseneck – A type of hinge that attaches the boom to the mast allowing it to swing freely.

Grave – To scrape clean the bottom of a ship.

Grog – A ration of watered down rum.

Groggy – Drunk from having consumed a lot of grog.

Gunwale – Upper edge of the hull.

Halyard – A rope used to raise a sail.

Hammock – Canvas sheets hung below decks and used for sleeping.

Headsail – Any sail flown in front of the most forward mast.

Heave – The rhythmic rise and fall of a ship. Also to bring a ship to stop or pull up anchor.

Heeling – Describes the leaning of a ship due to the force of the wind on the sails.

Helmsman – A person who steers a ship.

Holystone – A piece of sandstone used to scrub the decks.

Hull – The frame and body of a ship.

Idlers – People on board the ship not directly involved in the running of the ship.

Jack – Refers to either a sailor or a flag.

Jacklines– Ropes or cables running from bow to stern that the crew can attach themselves to for safety.

Jetsam – Rubbish washed up on the beach. Usually refers to debris from a shipwreck.

Jib – A triangular sail at the front of a ship.

Jibboom – A long pole or spar used to extend the bowsprit.

'Jimmy the One'– A nickname for the First Lieutenant.

Joggle – A way of repairing damaged timber.

Keel – The lengthwise structure along the base of a ship on which the framework of the hull is built up.

Kelson – The timber immediately above the keel of a wooden ship.

Ketch – A sailing boat. Two masted fore-and-aft rigged with a mizenmast stepped forward of the rudder and smaller than its foremast. (Try saying that fast!)

Killick – A small anchor.

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