Does renaming a ship make it unlucky?

Do statistics support the belief that renaming a ship makes it unlucky?

No, but the resulting reputation can be so durable that navies may still prefer not to invite it.

The answer separates measurable outcomes from culture aboard and around a ship. A paper mentioned in the discussion found no statistical penalty for renaming, yet once sailors or the public attach an unlucky reputation it becomes difficult to reverse. The practical effect is therefore reputational rather than supernatural. Avoiding a rename can still make sense when a navy wants to preserve confidence and identity aboard the ship.