Five ships of the United States Navy have been named USS South Carolina in honor of the eighth state.

• The first USS South Carolina was a schooner built for the Revenue Cutter Service.
• The second USS South Carolina was a coastal patrol vessel.
• The third USS South Carolina was a screw steamer built in 1860 and served in the American Civil War.
• The fourth USS South Carolina (BB-26) was the lead ship of her class of battleship.
• The fifth USS South Carolina (CGN-37) was a California-class nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser.

L'Indien, 12, a frigate built for the American Navy during the American Revolutionary War, was later renamed South Carolina. She never served in the United States Navy and does not bear the "USS" prefix. She apparently served with the South Carolina Navy.