These
names occur primarily in astronomy. They are not
commonly given to real people.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
ACAMAR m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
Ākhir an-nahr, meaning "end of the river". This is the traditional name of the star Theta Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
ACHERNAR m AstronomyDerived from Arabic
ākhir an-nahr, meaning "the end of the river". This is the name of the brightest star in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
ACHIRD m AstronomyIn Astronomy it is a name of a star, otherwise known as η Cassiopeiae
ACRAB m AstronomyAcrab is a name of a star in constellation Scorpius, also known as Beta Scorpii. Beta Scorpii bore the traditional names Acrab,
AKRAB or
ELACRAB, all deriving from the Arabic name (Arabic: العقرب) al-'Aqrab "the Scorpion"
ACUBENS m AstronomyThe traditional name of a star in the constellation Cancer. It's also known as the Alpha Cancri, α Cancri.
ADHAFERA f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
al-ðafīrah, meaning "braid, curl". This is the traditional name of the star Zeta Leonis in the constellation Leo.
ADHIL f & m AstronomyIn Astronomy, this is the name of the star - Xi Andromodae.
AGENA f AstronomyHadar and Agena are the traditional names of a star in the constellation Centaurus, also known as the Beta Centauri. It bore the traditional names
HADAR and Agena... [
more]
AIN m & f Astronomy, ArabicMeans "eye" in Arabic. This is the traditional name of the star Epsilon Tauri in the constellation Taurus.
AINALRAMI m & f AstronomyNu¹ and Nu² Sagittarii (together designated Nu Sagittarii) bore the traditional name
Ain al Rami (Ainalrami), which is from the Arabic عين الرامي
ʽain al-rāmī meaning "eye of the archer".
AKRAB m AstronomyAkrab is a name of a star in constellation Scorpius, also known as Beta Scorpii. Beta Scorpii bore the traditional names
ACRAB, Akrab or
ELACRAB, all deriving from the Arabic name (Arabic: العقرب) al-'Aqrab "the Scorpion"
ALADFAR f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
al-’uz̧fur, meaning "the talons of the swooping eagle". This is the traditional name of the star Eta Lyrae in the constellation
LYRA.
ALASIA f AstronomyAlasia is the name of the star HD 168746. The star is named after an ancient name for Cyprus.
ALATHFAR f AstronomyThis is the traditional name of a star in the constellation Lyra - Mu Lyrae. Its traditional name Alathfar comes from the Arabic الأظفار
al-ʼaẓfār, meaning "the talons (of the swooping eagle)".
ALBALDAH m & f AstronomyThis is the official name of the star Pi Saggitarii. Albaldah was the traditional name of a star system. It comes from the Arabic بلدة
bálda "the town".
ALBALI m & f AstronomyThis is the traditional name of the star Epsilon Aquarii. It comes from Arabic البالع (
albāli‘), meaning "the swallower".
ALBULAAN m AstronomyThis is the name of two stars in the constellation Aquarius: Mu Aquarii and Nu Aquarii. The name comes from an Arabic term
al-bulaʽān (ألبولعان) meaning "the two swallowers".
ALCHIBA f & m AstronomyThis is the name of the star Alpha Corvi in the Corvus constellation. It bore the traditional names Al Chiba (Arabic ألخبا
al-xibā meaning "tent") and Al Minliar, al Ghurab (Arabic منقار الغراب
al-manxar al-ghurab) or Minkar al Ghurab.
ALCOR m AstronomyAlcor is a binary star system in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Alcor was originally Arabic سها
Suhā/Sohā, meaning either the "forgotten" or "neglected" one.
ALDEBARAN m Astronomy, Judeo-Christian LegendDerived from Arabic الدبران
(al-Dabarān) meaning "follower" (from دبر
(dábar) "to turn one's back"). This is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Taurus, presumably so named because it appears to follow the Pleiades rightward across the night sky... [
more]
ALDERAMIN m & f AstronomyThis is the name of the star Alpha Cephei in the constellation Cepheus. It bore the traditional name
Alderamin, a contraction of the Arabic phrase الذراع اليمين
al-dhirā‘ al-yamīn, meaning "the right arm".
ALDHANAB m AstronomyThis is the name of the star Gamma Gruis in the constellation Grus. The name Aldhanab comes from
Al Dhanab, from the Arabic الذنب
al-dhanab meaning "the tail (of the Southern Fish)".
ALDHIBAH f AstronomyThis is the traditional name of the star Zeta Draconis in the Draco constellation. Zeta Draconis has the old Arabic name الذئب
al-dhiʼb "the wolf", given in its feminine form
Al Dhiʼbah (ذئبة)
ALDULFIN m AstronomyThis is the name of the star Epsilon Delphini in the constellation Delphinus.
ALFIRK m AstronomyThis is the traditional name of the star Beta Cephei in the constellation Cepheus. The name is derived from the Arabic الفرقة
al-firqah "the flock" (of sheep).
ALGENIB m & f AstronomyThis is the traditional name of the star Gamma Pegasi in the constellation Pegasus. The name Algenib comes from the Arabic
al-janb, meaning “the side.”
ALGIEBA m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
Al-Jabhah, meaning "the forehead". This is the traditional name of the star Gamma Leonis in the constellation
LEO.
ALGOL m Astronomy (Rare, Archaic)Name of a star in the constellation Perseus. Derived from Arabic, meaning "Head of the Ghoul", direct translation in English is "Demon Star"
ALHAUD m AstronomyAccording to
the catalogue of stars in the Technical Memorandum 33-507 - A Reduced Star Catalog Containing 537 Named Stars, Al-Haud were the title for seven stars : f as Alhaud I, τ as Alhaud II, e as Alhaud III, h as Alhaud IV, this star (θ) as Alhaud V, υ as Alhaud VI and φ as Alhaud VII .
ALHENA f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
الهنعه (
al-Han'āh) "sign (on the neck of a camel)", this is the name of the third-brightest star in the constellation of Gemini.
ALIOTH m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
alyat, meaing "fat tail of a sheep". This is the traditional name of the star Epsilon Ursae Majoris in the constellation Ursa Major.
ALKAID m & f Filipino, AstronomyMeans "the leader", derived from Arabic قائد بنات نعش
qā'id bināt naʿsh, meaning "leader of the daughters of the bier". This is the traditional name of the star Eta Ursae Majoris in the constellation Ursa Major.
ALKESTE f AstronomyA name inspired by
ALCESTIS, though it probably had more influence from the Greek version Greek Ἄλκηστις (
ALKESTIS), meaning "defense, defensive strength, valour"... [
more]
ALMAAZ m AstronomyThis is the name of the star Epsilon Aurigae in the Auriga constellation. The name comes from Arabic
Al Maʽaz meaning "the billy goat".
ALNILAM m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
an-niżām, meaning "string of pearls". This is a star in the constellation
ORION.
ALNITAK m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
an-niṭāq, meaning "the girdle". This is the name of a star in
ORION.
ALPHARD m AstronomyDerived from Arabic
الفرد (al-fard) "the solitary one". Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation Hydra, with no other bright stars near it.
ALPHECCA f AstronomyThis is the traditional name of the star Alpha Coronae Australis. The name Alfecca, Alphecca or Alphekka is Arabic, short for نير الفكّة
nayyir al-fakka "the bright (star) of the broken (ring of stars)".
ALSEPHINA f AstronomyThe name is used in Astronomy as a name of a triple star system that is a part of the constellation Vela.
ANGETENAR f AstronomyMeans "bend of the river" in Arabic. This is the traditional name of the star Tau 2 Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
ANTLIA f AstronomyFrom Greek ἀντλία
(antlia) meaning "hold of a ship". Antlia is one of the constellations created by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century. He originally named it Antlia Pneumatica, or Machine Pneumatique in French, in honour of French physicist Denis Papin’s invention, the air pump.
AQUARIUS m & f AstronomyMeans "water-carrier" or "cup-carrier" in Latin. This is a constellation in the zodiac, between Capricornus and Pisces.
ARDRA f Hinduism, AstronomyThe name of the star the star Betelgeuse (α Ori) in Hinduism, meaning "green" or "the moist one". It is associated with
RUDRA, the god of wind, storms, the hunt, destruction and terror.
ASCELLA f AstronomyLate Latin for "armpit", related to the Indo-European root *
aks meaning "axis". This is the name of the third brightest star in the constellation Sagittarius.
AURIGA m AstronomyMeans "charioteer" in Latin. This is the name of a constellation in the northern sky, which is said to resemble a chariot and its driver.
AUVA f AstronomyAuva is the medieval name of
Delta Virginis, a star in the zodiac constellation of Virgo. ... [
more]
AVIOR f & m AstronomyThis name originated in the time of the Ancient Roman Empire. Although its direct origin is unknown, a close translation of the name is avian, from the Latin aviarius. Avior is also the name for Epsilon Carinae.
AZHA m & f AstronomyMeans "the breeding place" in Arabic. This is the traditional name of the star Eta Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
BÁI-HǓ m & f AstronomyBái-Hǔ is a Xiang (象) one of the Four Symbols that include all the constellation of the Chinese System. Bái-Hǔ is known as The White Tiger of the West and is a mythological spirit creature linked with the west, the left and the fall/autumn season.
BEID m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
al baid, meaning "the (ostrich) egg". This is the traditional name of the star Omicron 1 Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
CAELUM m AstronomyThe name of a faint constellation in the southern sky, which is from Latin
caelum meaning "heaven, sky" (compare
CAELIUS) or (allegedly) "burin" (a tool for engraving on copper or other metals).
CANCER m AstronomyMeans "crab" in Latin. This is the name of a constellation in the zodiac. The disease was named this because of its crab-shaped cells.
CAPELLA f AstronomyThis is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga. Its name is from Latin
Capra "she-goat" with a diminutive suffix. In Roman mythology, the star represented the goat
AMALTHEA.
CAPRICORN m AstronomyFrom Latin
Capricornus meaning "horned like a goat" (from
caper, genitive
capri "goat" and
cornu "horn"), a loan-translation of Greek
Aigokheros, the name of the constellation... [
more]
CARPO f Greek Mythology (Latinized), AstronomyLatinized form of Greek Καρπώ
(Karpô), which is derived from Greek καρπόω
(karpoô) "to bear fruit; to reap or enjoy fruit". In Greek mythology this was the name of one of the Horae or Seasons; Carpo was the goddess of autumn and of the harvest, that is, the fruits of summer... [
more]
CHALDENE f Astronomy, Greek MythologyOne of Jupiter's moons, named for a character in Greek mythology whose name is variously given as Chaldene, Caldene, Calchedonia, or Chalcea.
CRUX m AstronomyLatin for "cross". This is the name of a constellation in the southern hemisphere, commonly known as the Southern Cross.
CURSA m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
Al Kursiyy al Jauzah, meaning "the chair of the central one". This is the traditional name of the star Beta Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
CYGNUS m AstronomyCygnus is a northern constellation lying on the plane of the Milky Way, deriving its name from the Latinized Greek word for swan.
DATHELKARTI f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
Al Dhāt al Kursiyy, meaning "the lady in the chair". Dath Elkarti is another name for
SCHEDAR.
DELPHINUS m AstronomyMeans "dolphin" in Latin. Delphinus is a constellation of a dolphin located on the northern sky near the celestial equator.
DILYÉHÉ f Navajo (?), AstronomyMeans "planting stars" in Navajo. This is the Navajo name of the star cluster known in English as the Pleiades.
DIPHDA f AstronomyDiphda - a name used in Astronomy, it's a name of a star.
DIPPER m AstronomyThe Dipper mansion (
斗) is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise. It corresponds to
SAGITTARIUS and is shaped like the Big Dipper, also refers temple in the sky or the snake-shaped basalt... [
more]
DORADO m AstronomyDorado is one of the constellations created by Dutch explorers in the 16th century. It represents the dolphinfish.
DUBHE f AstronomyDerived from Arabic دُبّ
(dubb) meaning "bear", taken from the phrase ظهر الدب الاكبر
(ẓahr ad-dubb al-ʾakbar) meaning "the back of the greater bear". This is one of the traditional names for the star Alpha Ursae Majoris, in the constellation Ursa Major.
ELACRAB m AstronomyElacrab is a name of a star in constellation Scorpius, also known as Beta Scorpii. Beta Scorpii bore the traditional names
ACRAB,
AKRAB or Elacrab, all deriving from the Arabic name (Arabic: العقرب) al-'Aqrab "the Scorpion"
ELARA f Greek Mythology, AstronomyPossibly derived from Greek ἄλαρα
(alara) meaning "butt of spear-shaft", or the related word ἀλαρία
(alaria) "tree which furnished shafts for spears". In Greek mythology Elara was one of Zeus's mortal lovers and by him the mother of the giant
Tityos... [
more]
ELTANIN f & m AstronomyDerived from Arabic
Al Ras al Tinnin, meaning "the dragon's head". This is one of the traditional names of the star Gamma Draconis in the constellation
DRACO.
EUKELADE f Greek Mythology, AstronomyThe name of one of Jupiter's moons. It was named in 2005, allegedly after a mythological character described by some Greek writers as one of the Muses.
HAMAL m AstronomyDerived from the Arabic راس الحمل (
rās al-ħamal) meaning "head of the ram". The brightest star in the Aries constellation.
HELICE f Greek Mythology (Latinized), AstronomyLatinized form of Greek Ἑλικη
(Helike) which means "circling one", from Greek ἕλιξ
(helix) "spiral" (genitive ἕλικος
(helikos)). In antiquity, Helike was a common name for the northern constellation Ursa Major... [
more]
HOKULE'A f & m Hawaiian, AstronomyHōkūleʻa is Hawaiian for “Star of Gladness” or “Clear Star”. The western name of this star is Arcturus. Hōkūleʻa is the brightest in the northern hemisphere and it is Hawaii’s zenith star... [
more]
HYDRA f Astronomy, Greek MythologyMeans "water-serpent" in Greek (from
hydor "water"). In Greek myth this was the name of a many-headed Lernaean water serpent slain by Hercules. It is also a northern constellation that is said to resemble a serpent, as well as a moon of Pluto.
ISAGEL f Swedish (Rare), Literature, AstronomyIsagel is a fictional character and spaceship pilot appearing in Swedish author Harry Martinson's poem of science fiction 'Aniara', published in 1956. Isagel is also the name of an exoplanet (HD 102956 b) orbiting the star
Aniara (HD 102956).
KEID m AstronomyThe common name for Omicron2 Eridani, or 40 Eridani, a triple star system in the constellation Eridanus. In the TV series Star Trek, 40 Eridani is the location of the planet Vulcan, home of Mr Spock... [
more]
KIO m AstronomyThe ancient Chinese name for Spica, the common name for Alpha Virginis, a blue giant binary star and the brightest in the constellation Virgo. From the
Chinese for "horn, spike", as it is seen as "the horn of
JUPITER"... [
more]
LACERTA f AstronomyMeans "lizard" in Latin (the feminine form of
lacertus). Lacerta is the name of a constellation created in 1687 by the astronomer Johannes Hevelius. It is located between
CYGNUS,
CASSIOPEIA and
ANDROMEDA on the northern celestial sphere... [
more]
LANIAKEA f & m Hawaiian, AstronomyThe name Laniakea means "immeasurable heaven" in Hawaiian, from "lani" for 'heaven' and "akea" for 'spacious' or 'immeasurable'. Laniakea is the galaxy supercluster that is home to the Milky Way, the Solar System and Earth... [
more]
LEONIS m AstronomyThe brightest star in the constellation Leo and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, lying approximately 79 light years from Earth.
LERNA f AstronomyA star in the constellation Hydra. Named after the lake Lerna where the mythological Hydra lived.
LIBRA f AstronomyThe name of a zodiacal constellation supposedly shaped like a set of scales. It literally means "pound, balance" in Latin, from Mediterranean base *
lithra- "a scale".
LLEÓ m Catalan, AstronomyCatalan form of
LEO as well as the Catalan name for
Leo, the constellation of the zodiac. The name coincides with Catalan
lleó "lion".
LYNX m AstronomyLynx is a constellation in the northern sky, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. It is named after the lynx, a genus of cats.
MEISSA f Western African, AstronomyVariant of
MAÏSSA; from Arabic
maḥīṣ meaning "shining, glittering". This is also the traditional name of Lambda Orionis, a star in the Orion constellation.
MERAK m & f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
al-maraqq, meaning "the loins (of the bear)". This is the traditional name of the star Beta Ursae Majoris, in the constellation Ursa Major.
MINELAUVA f AstronomyTraditional name in the middle ages for the star Delta Virginis in the constellation Virgo. It derives from the Arabic من العواء or
min al-ʽawwāʼ, meaning "in the lunar mansion of
ʽawwaʼ" (see
AUVA).
MINTAKA f AstronomyDerived from Arabic
manṭaqa, meaning "the belt". This is a star in the constellation
ORION.
MIZAR f & m AstronomyName of a star in the constellation Ursa Major. Derives from Arabic
mīzar, meaning "waistband; girdle".
NAOS m Astronomy, Ancient GreekFrom Ancient Greek
ναύς meaning "ship". It is a traditional name of the star Zeta Puppis. The star originally belonged to the former constellation
ARGO Navis, depicting the mythical ship of the Argonauts, but the ship has now been divided into three distinct constellations, with Puppis representing the stern of the ship.
NASHIRA f AstronomyNashira, also known as Gamma Capricorni, is a bright star in the constellation of Capricornus. ... [
more]
NESO f Greek Mythology, AstronomyDerived from Greek νῆσος
(nêsos) meaning "island". In Greek mythology this name was borne by one of the Nereids. A moon of Neptune bears this name in her honour.
PISCES m & f AstronomyThe name of the zodiacal constellation supposedly shaped like a pair of fish, derived from the plural form of Latin
piscis meaning "fish". This is the name of the twelfth sign of the zodiac.
POLANA f AstronomyFrom the name of an asteroid discovered by Johann Palisa which was named after the city of Pola where he made the discovery.
PRAXIDIKE f Ancient Greek, Astronomy, Greek MythologyDerived from Greek πραξις
(praxis) "action, exercise" combined with Greek δικη
(dike) meaning "justice, judgement" as well as "custom, usage". In Greek mythology, Praxidike was the goddess of lawful punishment and an exactor of vengeance... [
more]
PYXIS m AstronomyPyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Abbreviated from
Pyxis Nautica, its name is Latin for a mariner's compass (contrasting with Circinus, which represents a draftsman's compasses)... [
more]
QUAOAR m & f New World Mythology, AstronomyAlso known as Chingichngish, Ouiamot, Tobet and Saor, Quaoar is the name of an important figure in the mythology of the so-called Mission Indians of coastal Southern California, a group of Takic-speaking peoples, today divided into the Payomkowishum (Luiseño), Tongva (Gabrieliño and Fernandeño), and Acjachemem (Juaneño) tribes or peoples... [
more]
RÁN f Norse Mythology, Astronomy, IcelandicOf uncertain etymology. It could be derived from Old Norse
rán "robberty, theft" or
rámr "hoarse". In Norse mythology, Rán is a sea goddess and ruler of the dead at the bottom of the sea... [
more]
RASTABAN m AstronomyTraditional name for Beta Draconis, the third brightest star in the
DRACO constellation. The name comes from Arabic
ra's ath-thu'ban, which means "head of the serpent".
SAIPH m AstronomyVariant of
SAIF. This is the traditional name of Kappa Orionis, a blue star in the constellation Orion.
SCEPTRUM m & f AstronomyMeans "sceptre" in Latin. This is the traditional name of the star 53 Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
SCHEDAR f AstronomyDerives from the Arabic word
şadr, meaning "breast" (referring to the star's placement near the "heart" of the constellation). This is the traditional name of the star Alpha Cassiopeiae in the constellation
CASSIOPEIA.... [
more]
SCORPIO m AstronomyThe name of the zodiacal constellation supposedly shaped like a scorpion, meaning "scorpion" in Latin (see
SCORPIUS).
Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac.
SCORPIUS m Astronomy, Literature, Popular CultureDerived from Greek
skorpíos "scorpion" via its latinized form
scorpio. In astronomy, Scorpius is the name of a constellation near the center of the Milky Way. In both literature and popular culture, it is the name of antagonist Draco Malfoy's only son in the "Harry Potter" series written by J.K. Rowling.
SEXTANS m & f AstronomySextans is one of the constellations introduced by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. It represents the astronomical sextant. Hevelius named the constellation after the sextant he used to measure star positions... [
more]
SHELIAK m AstronomyDerived from Arabic الشلياق (
šiliyāq) meaning "tortoise". This is the name of the second brightest star in the constellation
LYRA. A tortoise shell often formed the body of the lyre, an ancient type of harp; and according to some sources,
sheliak translates from the Greek as "harp".
TAURUS m Late Roman, AstronomyDerived from Latin
taurus "bull". Throughout history, this name was borne by four Roman senators and seven Roman consuls. In astronomy, this is the name of one of the constellations of the zodiac.
THEEMIN f & m AstronomyPossibly a corrupted form of Arabic
al thalim, meaning "the ostrich". This is a star in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
TUCANA f AstronomyTucana is one of the southern constellations created by Dutch explorers in the late 16th century. It was named after the toucan, a type of bird found in South America.
VELA f Astronomy, EtruscanVela is a southern constellion, one of four parts into which Argo Navis was split... Vela is the sail.
VINDEMIATRIX f AstronomyMeans "female wine harvester". This is the name of a star on the constellation Virgo, and is named such because it rises in early autumn, the beginning of the wine harvesting season.
WEZEN m AstronomyDerived from Arabic
al-wazn, meaning "weight". This is the traditional name of the star Delta Canis Majoris in the constellation Canis Major.
XUÁN-WǓ m & f Chinese, AstronomyXuán-Wǔ is a Xiang (象) one of the four Symbols that include all the constellations of Chinese System. Xuán-Wǔ is known as Black Tortoise or Black Turtle in English but Black Warrior in Chinese... [
more]
ZANIAH f Astronomy, English (Rare)Presumably derived from Arabic زاوية
(zāwiyah) "corner" (though Alhazen claimed that this word meant "harlot"). This was the medieval name for Eta Virginis, a star in the constellation Virgo.
ZAURAK m AstronomyMeans "the boat". This is the traditional name of the star Gamma Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
ZHŪ-QUÈ m & f Chinese, AstronomyZhū-Què is a Xiang (象) one of the four Symbols that include all the constellations of Chinese System. Zhū-Què is known as Vermillion Bird of the South and is a pheasant with a multicolour piumage covered by flames... [
more]
ZIBAL m AstronomyMeans "ostrich nest" or "hatching place" in Arabic. This is the traditional name of the star Zeta Eridani in the constellation
ERIDANUS.
ZOSMA f AstronomyThe alternate name of Delta Leonis, one of the stars in the constellation Leo.