Star Names
Most bright stars carry names older than any modern language. Many come from Arabic astronomers of the Middle Ages (Aldebaran, Altair, Betelgeuse), others from Greek and Latin (Sirius, Capella, Regulus), and a few from ancient Babylon. The International Astronomical Union now keeps an official catalog of these proper names, so the names below are the real ones astronomers use.
Here are 85+ real star names with their constellation and meaning, plus a list of baby names that mean “star” in languages from Welsh to Nahuatl. For the bigger picture, see our constellation names, space names and galaxy names.
The brightest stars and what their names mean
The twenty brightest stars in the night sky (roughly in order), each with its official name. These are the easiest to spot on a clear night.
| Star | Constellation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sirius | Canis Major | Greek <em>seirios</em>, “scorching”; the brightest star in the night sky |
| Canopus | Carina | Named after a helmsman of Greek legend |
| Arcturus | Boötes | Greek, “guardian of the bear” |
| Vega | Lyra | Arabic, “swooping (eagle)” |
| Capella | Auriga | Latin, “little she-goat” |
| Rigel | Orion | Arabic, “foot” (of Orion) |
| Procyon | Canis Minor | Greek, “before the dog” (it rises before Sirius) |
| Achernar | Eridanus | Arabic, “end of the river” |
| Betelgeuse | Orion | From Arabic, usually read as “hand of the central one” |
| Altair | Aquila | Arabic, “the flying (eagle)” |
| Aldebaran | Taurus | Arabic, “the follower” (of the Pleiades) |
| Antares | Scorpius | Greek, “rival of Ares (Mars)” |
| Spica | Virgo | Latin, “ear of grain” |
| Pollux | Gemini | Immortal twin boxer of Greek myth |
| Fomalhaut | Piscis Austrinus | Arabic, “mouth of the fish” |
| Deneb | Cygnus | Arabic, “tail” (of the swan) |
| Regulus | Leo | Latin, “little king” |
| Polaris | Ursa Minor | Latin, “of the pole”; the North Star |
| Rigil Kentaurus | Centaurus | Arabic, “foot of the centaur” (Alpha Centauri) |
| Acrux | Crux | A blend of Alpha + Crux; the Southern Cross’s brightest star |
Star names that work as girl names
Soft, graceful star names, including the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades. Several are already rising as baby names; see mythology girl names for their legends.
| Name | Where to find it | Meaning / story |
|---|---|---|
| Bellatrix | Orion | Latin, “female warrior” |
| Maia | Pleiades (Taurus) | Eldest of the Seven Sisters |
| Electra | Pleiades | Greek, “amber, shining” |
| Alcyone | Pleiades | Brightest of the sisters; also the kingfisher of myth |
| Merope | Pleiades | The sister said to have married a mortal |
| Celaeno | Pleiades | Greek, “dark, swarthy” |
| Taygeta | Pleiades | Nymph of Mount Taygetus |
| Mira | Cetus | Latin, “wonderful”; a famous variable star |
| Adhara | Canis Major | Arabic, “the maidens” |
| Mimosa | Crux | Named after the flower |
| Alya | Serpens | Arabic, often read as “sheep’s fat tail”; sounds like Aaliyah |
| Vindemiatrix | Virgo | Latin, “grape harvester” |
| Lesath | Scorpius | Possibly “the sting” |
| Proxima | Centaurus | Latin, “nearest”; the closest star to the sun |
| Asterope | Pleiades | Greek, “lightning” or “starry-faced”; also called Sterope |
| Nashira | Capricornus | Arabic, “bearer of good news” |
Star names that work as boy names
Strong, short star names, many from the Big Dipper and Orion’s belt. Browse mythology boy names for more heroes of the sky.
| Name | Where to find it | Meaning / story |
|---|---|---|
| Castor | Gemini | Mortal twin horseman of Greek myth |
| Mizar | Ursa Major | Arabic, “girdle” or “apron” |
| Alcor | Ursa Major | Mizar’s faint companion, a classic eyesight test |
| Dubhe | Ursa Major | Arabic, “bear” |
| Alkaid | Ursa Major | Arabic, “the leader” |
| Thuban | Draco | Arabic, “snake”; the pole star of ancient Egypt |
| Hamal | Aries | Arabic, “lamb” |
| Deneb Algedi | Capricornus | Arabic, “tail of the goat” |
| Algol | Perseus | Arabic, “the demon’s head”; the “winking” star |
| Mintaka | Orion | Arabic, “the belt” |
| Alnitak | Orion | Arabic, “the girdle” |
| Alnilam | Orion | Arabic, “string of pearls” |
| Kochab | Ursa Minor | Possibly Arabic for “star” |
| Sadr | Cygnus | Arabic, “breast” (of the swan) |
| Albireo | Cygnus | A gold-and-blue double star |
| Elnath | Taurus | Arabic, “the butting” (bull’s horn) |
| Enif | Pegasus | Arabic, “nose” (of the horse) |
| Markab | Pegasus | Arabic, “saddle” |
| Sargas | Scorpius | A name of Sumerian origin |
Rare and unusual star names
Long Arabic names that are a joy to say out loud. They make memorable names for fantasy worlds, spaceships or pets. Explore more in our Arabic names.
| Star | Constellation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rasalhague | Ophiuchus | Arabic, “head of the serpent charmer” |
| Alphard | Hydra | Arabic, “the solitary one” |
| Denebola | Leo | Arabic, “the lion’s tail” |
| Shaula | Scorpius | Arabic, “raised (tail)” |
| Alpheratz | Andromeda | Arabic, “the horse’s navel” |
| Mirach | Andromeda | From Arabic for “loins” or “girdle” |
| Sadalsuud | Aquarius | Arabic, “luckiest of the lucky” |
| Menkar | Cetus | Arabic, “nose” |
| Zubenelgenubi | Libra | Arabic, “southern claw” |
| Zubeneschamali | Libra | Arabic, “northern claw” |
| Nunki | Sagittarius | Ancient Babylonian name |
| Algieba | Leo | Arabic, “the forehead” |
| Hadar | Centaurus | Arabic, possibly “ground” |
| Toliman | Centaurus | Old name for Alpha Centauri A, of uncertain meaning |
| Merak | Ursa Major | Arabic, “loins” (of the bear) |
| Gacrux | Crux | Gamma + Crux, the top of the Southern Cross |
| Sulafat | Lyra | Arabic, “tortoise” |
| Sheliak | Lyra | Arabic, “harp” |
| Ankaa | Phoenix | Arabic, “phoenix” |
Baby names that mean “star”
Every one of these names means star in its language. For a longer list, visit names that mean star.
| Name | Language | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Stella | Latin | Girl |
| Estelle | French | Girl |
| Estrella | Spanish | Girl |
| Astra | Latin (“stars”) | Girl |
| Esther | Possibly Persian “star” | Girl |
| Tara | Sanskrit | Girl |
| Sitara | Urdu / Persian | Girl |
| Setareh | Persian | Girl |
| Najma | Arabic | Girl |
| Najm | Arabic | Boy |
| Seren | Welsh | Girl |
| Hoshi | Japanese | Unisex |
| Hoku | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Citlali | Nahuatl (Aztec) | Girl |
| Yıldız | Turkish | Girl |
| Csilla | Hungarian (coined by poet Mihály Vörösmarty) | Girl |
| Zvezdana | Serbian / Croatian | Girl |
| Starla | English (modern) | Girl |
Tips for choosing a star name
- Check the pronunciation. Betelgeuse is usually said “BET-el-jooz” and Fomalhaut “FOE-mal-oat.” Try saying it aloud.
- Pick a star you can see. A name like Vega or Sirius gives you a star to point out on a clear night.
- Mind the meaning. Algol means “the demon’s head,” which is fun for a villain but not for a baby.
- Beware “name a star” certificates. Only the IAU assigns official star names; paid star-naming services aren’t recognized by astronomers.
- Pair with a sky theme. Siblings named Castor and Pollux, or Maia and Electra, make a charming set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the brightest star in the sky?
Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major, is the brightest star in the night sky. Its name comes from the Greek for “scorching” or “glowing.”
Why do so many stars have Arabic names?
Medieval Arabic astronomers catalogued the sky in detail, building on Greek work by Ptolemy. European astronomers later adopted their names, often in garbled forms, which is why names like Aldebaran and Altair are Arabic.
Can I buy a star and name it?
You can buy a certificate, but the name is not recognized by astronomers. Official star names are approved only by the International Astronomical Union.
What is the North Star called?
Polaris, in Ursa Minor. Its name comes from Latin stella polaris, “pole star.” Thousands of years ago, Thuban in Draco held that role.
What are the names of the stars in Orion’s belt?
From east to west: Alnitak (“the girdle”), Alnilam (“string of pearls”) and Mintaka (“the belt”).