During the motivational analysis of concepts, meaning elements of vessels construction both in Russian and Polish languages, typical models of direct and secondary nomination were identified. In the inner form of considered terms pragmatic features of particular subjects and their components are marked, they are important for the experts in seamanship (external view, location, function of the subject). Secondary nomination reflects asymmetric essence of the linguistic sign on the basis of typical motivational features. Onomasiological analysis of maritime terminology in the Slavic languages upscale understanding of motivation and system connections in certain subgroups of terms, as well as universal and national peculiar trends in the formation of special vocabulary.