Starship Classification and Naming
Interstellar Navy
Starships of the Interstellar Navy are named according to a scheme by standard classification. The scheme is intended to be fully consistent but some names deviate from standard based on popular acclamation or Alliance law.
The Interstellar Navy uses a system of Hull Classification Symbols, loosely derived from those used by the United States Navy during the mid-20th Century, to designate its starships. Each hull classification symbol consists of at least two letters to designate function and category within that function, and a number of at least two digits to denote the specific hull. Every symbol has a separate sequence, so DD-01 and DDG-01 are separate vessels. Some symbol sequences can be quite lengthy - because frigates, for example, are so numerous, the frigate sequence currently uses a five-digit number for hull numbers.
Hull numbers are assigned in strict order of authorization by the Stellar Alliance Assembly and are not representative of commissioning date. A hull number for which construction has not begun yet can be reauthorized to be constructed in a class other than the class it was originally authorized for, creating an anomalous ship number in an otherwise consistent sequence.
Capital Ships
Battleships
Battleships are named for important historical battles and figures.Carriers
Carriers are named for historically important warships.Cruisers
Heavy Cruisers
Heavy Cruisers are named for historical and present-day constellations.Light Cruisers
Light Cruisers are named for mountains, volcanoes, and other planetary phenomena.Destroyers
Destroyers
Destroyers are named for action words, creatures of the air and space, and denizens of the deep.
Frigates
Frigates are named by words selected at random to give a unique name to every unit.
Corvettes and Cutters
Corvettes and cutters are given a hull classification symbol or a side number respectively and are informally named by their crews.
Other Navies
The majority of independent system armed forces broadly follow the conventions set by the Interstellar Navy for warship classification, but maintain their own seperate traditions for ship naming. For example, the Royal Artemesian Navy names its destroyers after "notable female historical figures", and also allocates formal ship names to corvettes (but not cutters).
On the other hand, some independent system forces do insist on using their own classifications, typically also drawn from pre-space Earth naval history but using different Earth navies or historical periods as their inspiration. It is not uncommon for independent classifications to be "tonnage relative", i.e. assigning heavy cruiser and battleship titles to their most powerful vessels even if these are not comparable to ISN CAs and BBs. As a point of courtesy, ISN officers will generally refer to foreign warships by their 'official' classification in social contexts, but as their ISN equivalent in tactical and strategic ones.
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