taste and practicality
If you go look around a marina, you will see that most boat names are on the transome or on the aft part of the hull. There is no hard and fast rule that I've ever heard of, beyond the tastes of the owner and the practical issues of making it fit. If you have graphics or a long name, you will probably need to put it on the hull rather than the transome, to make it large enough to see at any distance. Otherwise you're free to do as you please. Have fun and express yourself!jim kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo