There鈥檚 good news and bad news for those hoping that Britain's new polar research ship would be christened 鈥淏oaty McBoatface.鈥�

British Science Minister Jo Johnson that the public鈥檚 wishes to give the ship the silly name have been torpedoed. Instead, the vessel will be named 鈥淩SS Sir David Attenborough," in tribute to the broadcaster and scientist.

But the good news is that one of the Attenborough鈥檚 remotely-operated submarines will get the name "Boaty McBoatface."

The high-tech 鈥淏oaty鈥� sub-sea vehicle will be periodically dispatched from the Attenborough to collect data and water samples from the deepest parts of the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Boaty McBoatface debacle began in March, when Britain鈥檚 Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) decided to let the public choose a name for the new icebreaker, which is set to sail in 2019.

They wanted an inspirational name that would reflect the ship's important research mission and 鈥減ut the U.K. at the forefront of ocean research for years to come.鈥�

Instead, voters went with 鈥淏oaty McBoatface.鈥� That name earned more than 124,100 votes by the time the poll closed -- more than three times its closest contender. Other tongue-in-cheek suggestions included "Clifford The Big Red Boat" and "Usain Boat.鈥�

Johnson said, at the time, that NERC would take the public鈥檚 choice into consideration but had the discretion to choose another name altogether.

On Friday, he said the public has provided 鈥渟ome truly inspirational and creative names,鈥� and while it was a difficult decision, the vessel would be named 鈥渁fter one of the nation鈥檚 most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists鈥� who inspired a love of the natural world for generations.

Attenborough himself, who will turn 90 on Sunday, thanked the ministry in a statement.

鈥淚 am truly honoured by this naming decision and hope that everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship鈥檚 progress as it explores our polar regions,鈥� he said

Meanwhile, James Hand, the former radio host who submitted the "Boaty McBoatface" suggestion and later apologized when he realized how popular the name had become, said he's pleased the McBoatface name will live on, even on a sub.