All evidence that I have heard points to, as Jis mentioned, that it was likely the MN and WI DOTs that chose the name (maybe IL pitched in a few thoughts as well). I don't believe that Amtrak chose the name. Come to think of it, last September I heard a MnDOT rep on a public meeting mention that the state DOTs were working on a name themselves; presumably, the Borealis name is what came out of that. Personally I don't understand the issue giving this service a name like Borealis is, but to each their own.
I get that the Hiawatha is both a historical name in this corridor & the name of the Chi - Milwaukee service, but to be fair, how many (non-train/Amtrak nerd) people under the age of 60 in MN or WI have the foggiest idea about the Twin Cities Hiawatha? Of course in southeast WI people are much more aware of the name "Hiawatha," due to the existing service, but in MN, which is one of the main markets for the Borealis, it's not well known.
And for younger people under 30/35, and specifically college students who are huge potential users of this service, the name Hiawatha has no real meaning. Not to say its a "bad" name at all, but I don't think it will make any difference. Honestly Borealis is a pretty memorable and unique name, which might even be an actively positive thing.
I get that the Hiawatha is both a historical name in this corridor & the name of the Chi - Milwaukee service, but to be fair, how many (non-train/Amtrak nerd) people under the age of 60 in MN or WI have the foggiest idea about the Twin Cities Hiawatha? Of course in southeast WI people are much more aware of the name "Hiawatha," due to the existing service, but in MN, which is one of the main markets for the Borealis, it's not well known.
And for younger people under 30/35, and specifically college students who are huge potential users of this service, the name Hiawatha has no real meaning. Not to say its a "bad" name at all, but I don't think it will make any difference. Honestly Borealis is a pretty memorable and unique name, which might even be an actively positive thing.