Naval fleet
Herschel's proposed name was not popular outside Britain, and alternatives were soon proposed. Astronomer Jérôme Lalande proposed that it be named "Herschel" in honour of its discoverer. Swedish astronomer Erik Prosperin proposed the name "Neptune", which was supported by other astronomers who liked the idea to commemorate the victories of the British Royal Naval fleet in the course of the American Revolutionary War by calling the new planet even "Neptune George III" or "Neptune Great Britain".