Mary Bowerman

USA TODAY Network

The people have spoken! But, they aren’t going to get what they want.

A British research vessel has been named the RRS Sir David Attenborough, despite Internet users overwhelmingly voting to name the vessel ‘Boaty McBoatface,' a British government official announced Friday.

“New polar research ship to be named RRS Sir David Attenborough in tribute to a great broadcaster & natural scientist,” Jo Johnson, the U.K.’s Minister of State for Universities and Science, said in a tweet.

Johnson noted in a statement, that the public offered “truly inspirational and creative names,” though Attenborough was ultimately chosen because it “captures the ship’s scientific mission and celebrates the broadcaster’s contribution to natural science.”

Attenborough, who will turn 90 on Sunday, said he was ‘truly honored’ by the decision, BBC reported.

Britain's National Environment Research Council, sponsored an online poll in April to name the $290 million research ship, which will study issues like climate change. The council noted that it retained authority to choose the final name shortly after Boaty McBoatface was chosen. #NotImpressed.

British government pooh-poohs winning 'Boaty McBoatface' name for ship

While many on social media jokingly slammed the government for not going along with the popular choice, Jo Johnson tweeted that Boaty McBoatface will have a place onboard the ship.

In a nod to the public’s name choice, a remotely operated vehicle aboard the ship was named Boaty McBoatface, according to Johnson.

“Hello, #BoatyMcBoatface! The name lives on as the remotely operated vehicle aboard RRS Sir David Attenborough,” Johnson said in a tweet.

James Hand, the British man who coined the name, tweeted that he supported the decision to name the ship after Sir David Attenborough.

Phew!

Contributing: Josh Hafner

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.