Toronto’s two new fully electric ferries have officially been named Lady of the Quays and Toronto Islander, following a city-wide public vote that engaged thousands of residents.
A shortlist of names was developed with input from City staff and community partners, in line with the City’s Property Naming Policy and Transport Canada requirements. Toronto residents were then invited to help choose the final names through a four-week public vote from March 11 to April 6, 2026, ensuring the selected names reflect Toronto’s waterfront, natural environment and strong connection to Toronto Island.
These ferries will enter service as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to modernize ferry operations and transition to quieter, zero-emission waterfront transportation. Learn more about the new electric ferries.
Results
Toronto residents showed strong engagement, with 17,700 votes cast. Toronto residents have chosen:
- Lady of the Quays: Vehicle and passenger ferry (about 15 per cent of the total votes)
- Toronto Islander: Passenger-only ferry (about 11 per cent of the total votes)
Ferry Naming Shortlist
A facilitated collaborative community engagement process, involving community members, waterfront and Toronto Island stakeholders, as well as City staff, produced the shortlisted names:
- Bluebell II: Inspired by bluebell wildflowers found on the Toronto Islands
- Blue Current: Represents water currents and the clean electric energy powering the ferry
- Cloudbreaker: Evokes ferry cutting through harbour skies and cloud reflections
- Discovery VI: Celebrates exploration and travel across Toronto Harbour
- Great Lake Dancer: Captures the motion and energy of Lake Ontario
- Harbourlight III: Highlights the glow of the harbour and skyline lights guiding waterfront travel
- Harbour Passage: Highlights the ferry connection between the waterfront and Islands
- Harbour Swan: Inspired by swans in Toronto Harbour; symbolizing graceful, quiet movement
- Island Chickadee: Named for Islands’ chickadees, symbolizing curiosity and nature
- Island Willow: Named for the willow trees lining Island pathways
- Lady of the Quays: Reflects Toronto’s waterfront quays and welcoming harbour presence
- Toronto Islander: Celebrates the connection between Toronto residents, visitors and the Island
- Water Strider: Inspired by insects gliding smoothly across water, mirroring the ferry’s movement
Naming Requirements
Every name on the shortlist was carefully checked to make sure it:
- Follows the City's Property Naming Policy
- Can be officially registered with Transport Canada
- Is easy to pronounce and will stand the test of time
- Is non-commemorative
Why Non-commemorative Names?
For these ferries, the City chose non-commemorative names — meaning they are not named after a person, event or idea. The names on the shortlist are:
- Easy to say and remember
- Inspired by nature, geography or Toronto’s waterfront
- Reflective of movement, connection and the spirit of the lake
