Why was the HMS beagle named after beagle?

HMS Beagle was not named after the Beagle dog breed. The origin of the name of HMS Beagle is not entirely clear, but there are a few possible explanations:

- The ship's name may be derived from the obsolete Old English word "beagle", which means a small ship or a ship's boat. This word was used as early as the 14th century to refer to a small, lightly armed ship that was used for reconnaissance and carrying supplies.

- Another possible explanation is that the name was inspired by the Beagle Channel, a narrow waterway located between Chile and Argentina. The channel was named by British explorers in the late 18th century, and it is possible that the name of HMS Beagle was chosen in reference to this geographical feature.

- Some historians also suggest that the name of HMS Beagle may have been influenced by the Beagle Harbour in Australia. The harbour is located in the Northern Territory and was named by British explorers in 1838, shortly before HMS Beagle embarked on its famous voyage.