This list includes vessels that were named in honor of Americans who were alive at the time. While it has long been a tradition of the United States Navy that no vessel will be named for a living person, that custom has been broken on occasion, the frequency of which is increasing. The date given is that of the ship's christening, which usually takes place at its launch -- some time before the warship is accepted for purchase by the Navy, and well before it is commissioned into active service.

Though they were living at the time of the ships' christening, everyone on this list has died except Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush.

• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) was named in 1980; Carl Vinson died in 1981
• USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) was named in 1983, Hyman Rickover died in 1986
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) was named in 1989; Arleigh Burke died in 1996
• USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) was named in 1993; John Stennis died in 1995
• USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR-300) was named in 1997; Bob Hope died in 2003
• USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) was named in 2001; Ronald Reagan died in 2004
• USS Nitze (DDG-94) was named in April 2004, Paul Nitze died in October 2004
• USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) was named in 2004; Jimmy Carter is still living
• USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) is scheduled to be named in 2006; George H. W. Bush is still living