I think the cool ship names was almost certainly influenced by Banks' father being in the Royal Navy/Admiralty and the RN having its own line in cool ship names... at least historically. I think I heard him say this at a talk, but it was a while ago so can't be sure...

A favourite of mine:

GCU Poke It With A Stick

I also like the name Mistakes Were Made but I don't think it's an official name in the cannon.

https://theculture.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_spacecraft