United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/15th Congress/2nd Session/Resolution 7
VII. Resolution declaring the manner in which the vessels composing the navy of the United States shall be named.
Ships of the navy to be named by the Secretary, under direction of the President.
First class after states.
Second after rivers.
Third after principal cities and towns.
No two of the same name.Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all the ships of the navy of the United States, now building, or hereafter to be built, shall be named by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President of the United States, according to the following rule, to wit: Those of the first class shall be called after the states of this Union; those of the second class after the rivers; and those of the third class after the principal cities and towns; taking care that no two vessels in the navy shall bear the same name.
Approved, March 3, 1819.