By Trendsetter Tribune 
A little-known naming controversy involving a former Larry Ellison superyacht has resurfaced as the Oracle billionaire’s influence expands following major media acquisitions.
As Oracle founder Larry Ellison reenters the public spotlight following his family’s acquisition of major media assets, a decades-old anecdote involving a luxury yacht has resurfaced, drawing renewed attention to the billionaire’s long and often unconventional history of wealth, influence, and personal pursuits.
The Yacht and the Name
In 1999, Ellison purchased a 191-foot superyacht for approximately $25 million. The vessel, built in Germany and designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, was originally named Izanami, after the Shinto goddess associated with creation and death.
The yacht was docked at Sausalito’s Schoonmaker Marina in California, where observers reportedly noticed that the vessel’s name, when spelled backward, formed an unintended and offensive phrase. The discovery sparked quiet concern among those familiar with the boat.
A Quiet Renaming
According to reports, Ellison opted to resolve the issue discreetly by renaming the yacht Ronin, a Japanese term meaning “masterless samurai.” No public explanation was issued at the time, and the matter faded from view.
Ellison later sold the yacht to Venezuelan banker Victor Vargas, effectively closing the chapter on the episode—until now.
Why the Story Is Reappearing
The yacht anecdote has reemerged as Ellison’s profile grows following his family’s recent acquisition of Paramount and TikTok’s U.S. operations, placing the 81-year-old billionaire at the center of renewed cultural and political attention.
Ellison is currently the world’s fourth-richest person and has long been known for large-scale personal investments that extend beyond technology.
Ellison’s Expansive Personal Projects
Over the years, Ellison has poured significant resources into anti-aging research, with the stated goal of dramatically extending human lifespan. He has also invested in real estate, including luxury units at New York’s Pierre Hotel, and owns roughly 98 percent of the Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi.
Other ventures include the development of a private safari park in Florida and continued funding for scientific research initiatives tied to longevity and health.
A Minor Footnote in a Major Legacy
While the yacht naming controversy remains a relatively small footnote in Ellison’s career, its resurfacing highlights how even minor details from the past can attract scrutiny as public influence expands.
As Ellison’s business reach increasingly extends into media, technology, and global culture, long-forgotten anecdotes are being revisited alongside his much larger and more consequential legacy.