The god's name '鳥' (pronounced as tori, meaning bird) was said to be likened to the ship cruising like a flying bird or a water bird floating and cruising in the water.
神名の「鳥」は、船が進む様子を鳥が飛ぶ様に例えたとも、水鳥が水に浮かんで進む様に例えたともされる。