Was the USS Enterprise Named After the Fictitious Starship in Star Trek?

The USS Enterprise is a name that is often associated with the famous starship from the Star Trek series. However, the reality of the matter is more complex than it appears at first glance.

Historical USS Enterprise Ships

The USS Enterprise has a rich history in the United States Navy. The first USS Enterprise commissioned into the US Navy was a schooner put into service in 1811. There were 2 other commissioned USS Enterprise ships in 1831 and 1874 before the famous CV-6 in 1938. This was followed by CVN-65 and the upcoming CVN-80. None of these ships were named after a starship, debunking the notion that the fictional starship came first.

Gene Roddenberry's Inspiration

It is a common misconception that the USS Enterprise was named after the starship from Star Trek. In reality, the fictional starship from the TV show was named after the historic USS Enterprise CV-6, as Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the show, was inspired by its war record. At first, Roddenberry considered naming the starship S.S. Yorktown after the CV-6's sister ship, but he ultimately chose the USS Enterprise name.

Star Trek's Participatory Connection to Naval History

Large parts of Star Trek were written with naval battles as a resource to draw from in terms of tactics and other aspects. The term "Enterprise" has been a name/designation for centuries, dating back to English or perhaps French origins. Over time, various ships of English and then United States registry have been christened Enterprise. Today, the current US Navy vessel to bear the name Enterprise is the CVN-65, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It is scheduled to be replaced by CVN-80 by the end of the decade.

The NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise

While the NASA space shuttle was named after the fictional USS Enterprise, it is important to note that this naming convention did not come first. The space shuttle Enterprise, which was in fact a giant glider used for publicity, training, and other purposes, is now located in a museum. However, the specific location is currently unknown.

Conclusion

In summary, the USS Enterprise was not named after the fictitious starship. Instead, the fictional starship was named after the historic USS Enterprise CV-6. This demonstrates the deep connection Star Trek has with naval history and the enduring legacy of the Enterprise name in both the military and entertainment spheres.

Keywords: USS Enterprise, Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, Naval History, Starship Naming