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With the evolution of naval technology, new ship types replaced others, and the naming system changed accordingly.

Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN and SSGN) - They are named after states, such as USS Ohio and US Alabama, except for USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730).

Attack submarines (SSN) – They are named after cites in the case of the older Los Angeles class, such as USS Los Angeles and USS Corpus Christi (renamed City of Corpus Christi "Triple-C" after protests from the Catholic Church), and after states in the newer Virginia class submarines. One ship is named after a fish, one is named after US President Jimmy Carter (the only president to serve in the Submarine service) and another (now decommissioned) was named after nuclear-submarine pioneer Admiral Hyman Rickover.

Aircraft carriers (CV) Aircraft carriers, Nuclear (CVN) - They are named after American admirals and politicians, usually presidents, with possible exception of USS Shangri-La (CV-38) that was named after a fictitious Himalayan kingdom described by James Hilton in his novel, Lost Horizon. During World War II, just after the Halsey-Doolittle bomber raid on Tokyo of 18 April 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in response to questions posed by members of the press, reported that the planes had been launched from somewhere in Shangri-La. This name honors Hornet (CV-8) which actually launched the Tokyo raiders in 1942 and which was subsequently lost in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island on the night of 26 and 27 October 1942. The first large American aircraft carriers, USS Lexington and USS Saratoga, were built on converted battle cruiser hulls; later carriers followed this practice.

Amphibious assault ships (LPH, LHA and LHD) – They are named after early American sailing ships, famous Marine Corps battles, or legacy names of earlier WWII era carriers.

Cruisers (CG) – They are named after great battles, such as USS Ticonderoga and USS Gettysburg.

Destroyers (DDG) and Frigates (FFG) – They retain their traditional naming conventions after Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine heroes, such as USS Spruance, USS Burke, USS Perry, USS Cole, and USS Kidd, except for USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81).

Other amphibious vessels – They are named after cities or important places in US and US Naval history.

Fast combat support ships – They are named for distinguished supply ships of the past.

Replenishment oilers – They were named for shipbuilders and marine and aeronautical engineers, but have returned to the older convention of river names.

Dry cargo ships (AKE) – They are named for American explorers and pioneers