Link
Interesting bit of history there:

• Corvettes were small single-gun boats that were eventually replaced by the larger Frigates
• Destroyers (about the same size as Frigates) got their name shortened from TorpedoBoat Destroyers, and eventually took over the torpedo boat's job.
• Cruisers were so named because they were the first vessels to be capable of long range independent operations, whereas Destroyers required tenders.
• Battleships came and eventually went, being replaced by Carrier groups with destroyer escourt.

But then, space may be a different can o' worms...

but but at peace ... not gives a good drubbing like a Woden class Battle ship. espically fun for taking out those pesky military bases.

Duh

From the list of WWII US Navy hull designations posted by liveload, here's a few that made sense for the ship missions that I commonly build:

AGF (Auxiliary General Flagship) - Flagship
AGS (Auxiliary Geographical Survey) >> ASC (Auxiliary Stellar Cartography) - Scout ship
ARS (Auxiliary Repair, Salvage) - Salvage ship, for anomalies
YP (Yard Patrol craft "Yippies") - defenders
PF (Patrol Frigate) - small-hull anti-insurgency
PE (Patrol Escourt) - tiny-hull fighter wings
PY (Patrol Yacht) - converted yacht, for those purchased scouts
XAK (Cargo/Merchant Marine) - freighters
LCI (Landing Craft, Infantry) - troop transport
DD (Destroyer) - medium-hull combat vessel
CL (Light Cruiser) - early large-hull or late medium-hull combat vessel
CA (Cruiser) - large-hull combat vessel [rarely used]
BC (Battle Cruiser) - late model large-hull or early huge-hull [haven't built one]
BB (Battleship) - huge-hull war ship [haven't built one]

By size and ratings. S7-B12A10 = Small hull, Speed 7, Beam 12, Armor 10.

Scout 5-7 = Sensor 5, Speed 7

Transport 3-12 = 3000 Troop capacity, Speed 7.

Not very original, but very organized (for me anyway).

AngleWyrm:

I created a "new" hull designation yesterday.

ADN or Auxiliary Dreadnought. Hehe let me explain. I tried a different tack for the early game this time around and chose to ramp up diplomacy techs. I built a spin control center on my homeworld when I reached total majesty. By that time, the rest of the galaxy were making plans on how to divide up my territory. As per suggestions on the forum, I took a couple of weeks to get some basic weapons and defense. I then packed a freighter full of weapons, armor, engines, and a little life support. They could hit as hard or harder than any current capital ship, and outwardly appeared to be well defended. "Pocket Battleship" didn't quite work for a hull designation, despite the obvious connotations in how they were used. One good shot from a real warship and the subterfuge would be lost, but the AI seemed content to leave them alone. The Auxiliary Dreadnought bought me enough time to get my naval build-up well underway before actual hostilities commenced.

Hehe, just thought I'd mention it.

I name mine after Caldari ships from a game called Eve Online.

I just think of cool names and class them like.
Fireclaw Fighter
Empire Battleship
Knight Cruiser
Halo Cruiser
Royal Battleship
Omega Dreadnought

I name them after their personalities =D

Moxy: Tiny angular hull with forked wing attachments, no armor to give room for the 3 railguns. Must always be the first to attack or will fail miserably..

Curmudgeon: Heavily armored large hull, sporting two claw-like arms bent forward from underneath holding 2 plasma weapons in each "hand", and a 5th on its head. Reasonably fast but not much range.

Dumpling: Huge angular hull with very few structural additions, missiles everywhere and 2 phasors. Slow but good range, some armor.

Grendel: Huge long hammerhead-type hull, engines separated from body(a-la Enterprise), with two towering structures in the back holding 3 phasors each, sprinkled with photon torpedos along the bottom. Good range and speed, decent armoring and countermeasures.