One of the world’s richest techies ‘forced’ to rename yacht after told the name’s ’embarrassing meaning’
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, one of the wealthiest people in the technology industry, had named his 191-foot yacht “Izanami,” a reference to a Japanese Shinto deity associated with creation and death. However, the name was later dropped after Ellison was informed that when spelled in reverse, it reads “I’m a Nazi,” a phrase widely considered offensive. The incident was detailed in a profile published by Vulture. Following this discovery, the yacht’s name was changed, the report said.
Larry Ellison’s Yacht name change draws attention
According to the report, Larry Ellison purchased the yacht after investing tens of millions of dollars in a Florida safari park. The vessel is smaller than his earlier 288-foot yacht but remains one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world.The name “Izanami” was chosen for its mythological meaning, but the reversed spelling led to concerns once the issue was pointed out. Larry Ellison reportedly has strong personal and business ties to Israel. His first wife previously described him as “an ardent Zionist”. The Vulture report noted that he has been close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Larry Ellison’s Yacht name change sparks conversation online
The yacht name incident gained attention on social media after details from the profile circulated online. As per the report, some users compared the episode to fictional portrayals of wealthy families in popular television dramas.“This is straight out of Succession,” podcast host Rob Pasbani wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).Other users reacted with frustration over repeated reports about the personal lives of billionaires. “I am so tired, y’all,” one Reddit user wrote in response to the story. Another commented, “‘Reality’ is just too on the nose.”Ellison, 80, co-founded Oracle in 1977 and remains one of its largest shareholders. His son, David Ellison, is currently involved in the media industry and is expected to take a leadership role at Paramount Skydance later this year, according to earlier reports.
