List of proper names of stars

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This is a list of proper names for stars, mostly derived from Arabic and Latin. See also the list of stars by
constellation, which gives variant names, derivations, and magnitudes.
Of the roughly 10,000 stars visible to the naked eye, only a few hundred have been given proper names in the
history of astronomy.[1] Traditional astronomy tends to group stars into asterisms, and give proper names to those,
not to individual stars.
In 2016, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[2] to
catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN's first bulletin of July 2016 [3] included a table of the
first two batches of names approved by the WGSN (on 30 June and 20 July 2016) together with names of stars
adopted by the IAU Executive Committee Working Group on Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites
during the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign[4] and recognized by the WGSN. There are 125 stars on the list.
Further batches of names were approved on 21 August 2016, 12 September 2016, 5 October 2016 and 6
November. These were listed in a table included in the WGSN's second bulletin issued in October 2016 and
updated in November 2016.[5] There are 102 stars on this list. All are included on the current IAU Catalog of Star
Names, last updated on 7 November 2016.[6]
Most star names are in origin descriptive of the part of the asterism they are found in; thus Cynosure is the "dog's
tail", formerly "the star in the tail of the 'dog' asterism" (now Ursa Minor), or Phecda, a corruption of the
Arabic fakh ad-dubb "thigh of the bear". Only a handful of the brightest stars have individual proper names not
depending on their asterism; so Sirius "the scorcher", Antares and Canopus (of unknown origin), Alphard "the
solitary one", Regulus "kinglet"; and arguably Aldebaran "the follower" (of the Pleiades), Procyon "preceding the
dog [Sirius]".
In addition to the limited number of traditional star names, there are some coined in modern times, e.g. "Avior"
for Epsilon Carinae (1930), and a number of stars named after people (mostly in the 20th century).
In the table below, unless indicated by a '', the 'Modern proper name' is that approved by the WGSN and entered
in the IAU Catalog of Star Names.

Constellation

Eridanus

Eridanus

Bayer
designation

Eridani

Eridani A

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Originally called khir an-nahr in Arabic,

meaning "End of River", named because it was the brightest
star in the constellation Eridanus (the River). (Before the 16th
century, this was the last star in the Eridanus constellation; it
was later extended to Achenar, below).[7]:p219

"Acamar" was first used in the Alphonsine tables (circa

1252).[7]:p219

Also called Al Thalim ("the Ostrich") by fifteenth-century

Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg.[7]:p219

The Greek-Persian astronomer Chrysococca called

it Aulax in Greek, meaning "the Furrow".[7]:p219

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Yun li,

English: the Sixth Star of Celestial Orchard).[8]

The name was originally Arabic khir annahr "river's end"

In Chinese, this star is called (Shu Wi y,

English: the First Star of Crooked Running Water).[9]

Acamar

Achernar

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeiae

Achird [10][11]

In Chinese, this star is called (Wng Ling sn, English:

the Third Star of Wang Liang).[9]

Scorpius

Scorpii Aa

Acrab

The traditional names of the Scorpii system included Akrab and

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Elakrab, derived (like Acrab) from the Arabic al-aqrab "the
scorpion", and Graffias, which is the Italian for "claws" and which
was also applied to Xi Scorpii.[12][7]:p367

Crux

Crucis

Acrux

'Acrux' is a modern contraction of the Bayer designation, coined

in the 19th century, but entering common use only by the mid
20th century.[13]

Cancer

Cancri

Acubens

The name was originally Arabic al zubanh, "the claws"

Leo

Canis Major

Andromeda

Taurus

Lyra

Andromeda

Leonis

Canis
Majoris

Andromedae

Tauri

Lyrae

Andromedae

The name is originally from Arabic al-afrah "the

braid/curl"

In Chinese, this star is called (Xun Yun Sh

y, English: the Eleventh Star of Xuanyuan).[14]

The name is originally from Arabic ara,

"virgins". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al
Mouakket designated awwil al-arii, translated
into Latin as Prima Virginum "first virgin".

In Chinese, this star is called (H Sh q, English:

the Seventh Star of Bow and Arrow).[15]

The name is originally from the Arabic for "eye" and

was reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee
WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites.[6]

The star was given the name Oculus Boreus (Latin for
"Northern eye") by John Flamsteed.[16][7]:p391

In Chinese, this star is called (B s y, English:

the First Star of Net).[17]

The name is originally from Arabic al-uzzfur, "the

talons (of the swooping eagle)", sharing with Lyrae
(Alathfar).

In Chinese, this star is called (Nin Do r,

English: the Second Star of Imperial Passageway).[18]

The name is originally from Arabic al-anq

al-arz, "the caracal" (desert lynx). Another Arabic name
is al rijl al musalsalah "the chained foot". In
the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated
al mis al namt, translated into Latin as Quinta
Struthionum "fifth ostrich".

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin D Jing

Jn y, English: the First Star of Heaven's Great General).[19]

Adhafera

Adhara

Adhil

Ain

Aladfar

Alamak

Lyra

Lyrae

Alathfar

The name is originally from Arabic al-uzzfur, "the talons (of

the swooping eagle)", sharing with Lyrae (Aladfar).

Virgo

Virginis

Alaraph

Other name of Virginis (see Zavijava)

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Albaldah

The name is originally from Arabic blda, "town". In

the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated
nayyir al blda, translated into Latin as Lucida

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Oppidi "brightest of the town".

Aquarius

Cygnus

Corvus

Ursa Major

Aquarii

Cygni

Corvi

80 Ursae
Majoris

In Chinese, this star is called (Jin sn, English: the

Third Star of Establishment).[20]

The name is originally from Arabic albli, "the

swallower". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al
Mouakketdesignated nayyir sa'd al bula,
translated into Latin as Lucida Fortun Dissipantis "the
brightest of luck of the swallower".

In Chinese, this star is called (N s y, English:

the First Star of Girl).[21]

Actually, there's no clear information of the

name Albireo.

In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al

Mouakket designated minqr al-dajjah, translated
into Latin as Rostrum Gallin "the hen's beak".

The name is originally from Arabic al-xib, "tent". In

the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated
al-manxar al-ghurab, translated into Latin as Rostrum
Corvi "beak of the crow".

In Chinese, this star is called (Yu Xi, English:

Right Linchpin).[22]

The name was originally Arabic suh "neglected

one"; notable as a faintly perceptible companion of Mizar (
UMa).

This star is known as Arundhati in traditional Indian

astronomy.

Albali

Albireo

Alchiba

Alcor

Taurus

Taurus

Tauri

Tauri

In Chinese, this star is called (F, English: Assistant).

Member of the Pleiades open star

cluster (M45). Alcyone was one of the Pleiades
sisters in Greek mythology.

In Chinese, this star is called (Mo s li,

English: the Sixth Star of Hairy Head).[23]

The name was originally Arabic al-dabarn "the

follower (of the Pleiades)".[24]

In Indian astronomy known as Rohini "the red one". To

Persian astrologers it was known as a Royal star, Tascheter,
Watcher of the East.

In Chinese, this star is called (B s w, English:

the Fifth Star of Net).[25]

The Romans called this star with the name Palilicium.

Alcyone

Aldebaran

Constellation

Cepheus

Leo

Grus

Draco

Bayer
designation

Cephei

Leonis

Gruis

Draconis

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

The name was originally Arabic a-ir alyamn "the right arm".

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Gu wu,

English: the Fifth Star of Celestial Hook).[26]

Alderamin

Aldhafera

Other name of Leonis (see Adhafera)

The name was originally Arabic al dhanab, "the tail

(of the constellation of the Southern Fish)"".

In Chinese, this star is called (Bi Ji y, English:

the First Star of Decayed Mortar).[27]

The name was originally Arabic al diba'in,

"the

two hyenas"", shares with Draconis.

The other name of this star is Nodus III (Third Knot, the
knot being a loop in the tail of Draco).

In Chinese, this star is called (Z Wi Zu

Yun s, English: the Fourth Star of Left Wall (of Purple
Forbidden Enclosure)) and (Shng B, English: The
First Minister)[28]

Aldhanab

Aldhibain

Draco

Draconis

Aldib

Cygnus

Cygni

Al Fawaris

Corona Australis

Coronae
Australis

Alfecca
Meridiana

Cepheus

Cephei

Alfirk

Capricornus

Capricorni

Al Giedi

Alternative traditional names of Algedi, Prima Giedi and Algiedi

Prima

Capricornus

Capricorni

Algedi

Alternative traditional names of Al Giedi, Secunda Giedi and

Algiedi Secunda

Pegasus

Pegasi

Algenib

Leo

Leonis

Algieba

Perseus

Persei

Algol

Corvus

Corvi

Algorab

Auriga

Aurigae

Alhajoth

Gemini

Geminorum

Alhena

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Alioth

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Alkaid

Columba

Columbae

Al Kurud

Cepheus

2 Cephei

Al Kalb al Rai

Bootes

Bootis

Alkalurops

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Al Kaphrah

Crater

Crateris

Alkes

the other name of Draconis (see Altais)

The name was originally Arabic ra's al-ghl "head of the

ogre". In Egyptian Horus.[29] In Chinese, Tseih She, 'piled up
corpses'. Also known as the "Demon Star". It is the eye of
Medusa's head in the constellation of Perseus.

derived from the Arabic Al Han'ah, 'the brand' (on the neck
of the camel)

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Cepheus

Cephei

Alkurah

Andromeda

Andromedae

Almach

Leo

Leonis

Al Minliar al
Asad

Grus

Gruis

Alnair

Alternative traditional spelling of Al Nair.

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Alnasl

Derived from the Arabic al-nal meaning "arrowhead".[30]

Historical names / comments

Orion

Orionis

Alnilam

Middle star in the belt of Orion. The traditional

name Alnilam derives from the Arabic Al-nilam, related to
the word 'nilam' 'sapphire'; related spellings
are Alnihan and Alnitam.[7]:pp314-315

Orion

Orionis

Alnitak

Traditional name, alternately spelled Al Nitak or Alnitah, derived

from the Arabic an-nitq,
"the girdle".[7]:pp314-315

Scorpius

Scorpii

Alniyat

Scorpius

Scorpii

Al Niyat

Hydra

Hydrae

Alphard

Corona Borealis

Coronae
Borealis

Alphecca

Andromeda

Andromedae

Alpheratz

Cepheus

Cephei

Alrai

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Alrami

Pisces

Piscium

Alrescha

Draco

Draconis

Alsafi

Lynx

31 Lyncis

Alsciaukat

Aquila

Aquilae

Alshain

Capricornus

Capricorni

Alshat

Aquila

Aquilae

Altair

Draco

Draconis

Altais

Cancer

Cancri

Altarf

Leo

Leonis

Alterf

Aquila

Aquilae

Al Thalimain

Aquila

Aquilae

Al Thalimain

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Aludra

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Alula Australis

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Alula Borealis

Draco

Draconis

Alwaid

Serpens

Serpentis

Alya

Gemini

Geminorum

Alzir

Aquarius

Aquarii

Ancha

Eridanus

Eridani

The name was originally Arabic an-nasr at-t ir

"the
flying eagle". In Chinese, (Qin Ni Xng) or
( Ni Lng Xng), "Cow Herder Star" of the Qi Xi love story. One
of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.

The name is originally from Arabic arjat annahr "bend of the river"

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Yun ji,

English: the Ninth Star of Celestial Meadow).[31]

Angetenar

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Phoenix

Phoenicis

Ankaa

Scorpius

Scorpii

Antares

Botes

Botis

Arcturus

Virgo

Virginis

Arich

Sagittarius

Sagittarii A

Arkab Prior

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Arkab Posterior

Capricornus

Capricorni

Armus

Lepus

Leporis

Arneb

Traditional name Arneb derived from the

Arabic arnab 'hare'[7]:p268 ('Lepus' is Latin for hare).

Draco

Draconis

Arrakis, Alrakis,
Elrakis

The name was originally Arabic al-rqis "the dancer"

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Ascella

Cancer

Cancri

Asellus Australis

Cancer

Cancri

Asellus Borealis

Botes

Botis

Asellus Primus

Botes

Botis

Asellus
Secundus

Botes

Botis

Asellus Tertius

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Askella

Carina

Carinae

Aspidiske

Canes Venatici

Canum
Venaticorum

Asterion

Taurus

21 Tauri

Asterope

Perseus

Persei

Atik

Taurus

27 Tauri

Atlas

Triangulum
Australe

Trianguli
Australis

Atria

Virgo

Virginis

Auva

Carina

Carinae

Avior

Auriga

Aurigae

Azaleh

Cygnus

Cygni

Azelfafage

Eridanus

Eridani

Historical names / comments

Ancient Greek, , "against Ares (Mars)". It was known to

Persian astrologers as a Royal star: Satevis, Watcher of the West.

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Asterope was

one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Atlas was
the Titan god of endurance and astronomy[32] and the father of
the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

Designated 'Avior' by Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office for

the Royal Air Force in the 1930s.[33]
Variously reported as from Arabic assulah fh "turtle", al thlf al faras "horse track", or
al azal al-dajjah "tail of hen" [7]:pp192-197

The name is originally from Arabic al-udhi "the

hatching-place"

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Yun li,

English: the Sixth Star of Celestial Meadow).[31]

The name is originally from Arabic al-bayd "the

eggs".

Azha

Puppis

Puppis

Azmidiske

Pegasus

Pegasi

Baham

Cetus

Ceti

Baten Kaitos

Eridanus

Eridani

Beid

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

In Chinese, this star is called (Ji Zhu Sh

Ku r, English: the Second Star of Interpreters of Nine
Dialects).[8]

Latin for "female warrior"; applied to this star in the 15th century.

Orion

Orionis

Bellatrix

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Benetnasch

Orion

Orionis

Betelgeuse

Triangulum
Australe

Trianguli
Australis

Betria

Pegasus

Pegasi

Biham

Aries

Arietis

Botein

Libra

Librae

Brachium

Aquarius

Aquarii

Bunda

Carina

Carinae

Canopus

Ptolemy's , after Canopus (Kanopos, Kanobos), a pilot

from Greek mythology, whose name is itself of uncertain
etymology.

Auriga

Aurigae

Capella

The traditional name Capella (English: small female goat) is

from Latin, and is a diminutive of the
Latin Capra (English: female goat).[7]:p86

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeiae

Caph

[34]

derived from the Arabic Ibt al-Jauz', meaning "the

axilla of Orion", or Yad al-Jauz', meaning "the hand of
Orion"

* The name is originally Arabic kaf "palm", a residue of an old

name of Cassiopeia, al-kaff al-khadib "the stained hand"; also
known as al-sanam al-nakah "the camel's hump".

In Chinese, this star is called (Wng Ling y,

English: the First Star of Wang Liang).[35]

Gemini

Geminorum

Castor

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Cebalrai

Taurus

16 Tauri

Celaeno

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Celaeno was one
of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

Ara

Arae

Cervantes

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the
Spanish author of El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la
Mancha.[36]

Ursa Major

47 Ursae
Majoris

Chalawan

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after a mythological crocodile king from a
Thai folktale.[36]

Canes Venatici

Canum
Venaticorum

Chara

Canes Venatici

Canum
Venaticorum

Chara

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Cheleb

Leo

Leonis

Chertan

Serpens

Serpentis

Chow

Cancer

55 Cancri A

Copernicus

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign[4] in honor of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.[36]

Canes Venatici

Canum
Venaticorum

Cor Caroli

Named after Charles I of England by Sir Charles Scarborough[7][37]

Eridanus

Eridani

Cursa

Alternative traditional name of Chort.

[38]

The name is originally from Arabic al-kursi "the

chair, footstool"

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Capricornus

Capricorni

In Chinese, this star is called (Y Jng sn,

English: the Third Star of Jade Well).[39] R.H. Allen simplified
the name as Yuh Tsing, "the Golden Well" in Chinese.[7]:218

Dabih
The name is originally from Arabic dhanab ad-Dajjah.
In Chinese, Deneb is part of "Magpie bridge" in the Qi Xi
love story. Deneb is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.

Cygnus

Cygni

Deneb

Capricornus

Capricorni

Deneb Algedi

Delphinus

Delphini

Deneb Dulfim

Aquila

Aquilae

Deneb el Okab

Cetus

Ceti

Deneb Kaitos
Schemali

Leo

Leonis

Denebola

Cetus

Ceti

Dheneb

Coma Berenices

Comae
Berenices

Diadem

Cetus

Ceti

Diphda

Ursa Major

Ursae Majoris Dnoces

Scorpius

Scorpii

Dschubba

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Dubhe

Leo

Leonis

Duhr

Draco

Draconis

Edasich

Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive

Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary
Satellites.[6]

Taurus

17 Tauri

Electra

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Electra was one
of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

Triangulum

Trianguli

Elmuthalleth

Taurus

Tauri

Elnath

Variously El Nath or Alnath, from the Arabic word an-na,

meaning "the butting" (i.e. the bull's horns).
Alternatively traditional name of Etamin; both originally from the
Arabic name of the constellation At-Tinnin "the great
serpent". Dra was also one of the "Five Camels", Quinque
Dromedarii, in Arabic Al Awd.

Alternative traditional name of Deneb Kaitos.

Draco

Draconis

Eltanin

Pegasus

Pegasi

Enif

Cepheus

Cephei

Errai

Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive

Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary
Satellites.[6]

Draco

42 Draconis

Fafnir

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after a Norse mythological dwarf who turned
into a dragon.[36]
The name is originally from Arabic fum al-h awt "mouth
of the fish". To Persian astrologers this was a Royal star:
Haftorang, Watcher of the South. The name was reviewed and
adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of
Planets and Planetary Satellites.[6]

Piscis Austrinus

Piscis
Austrini

Fomalhaut

Pisces

Piscium

Fum al Samakah

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Furud

Crux

Crucis

Gacrux

The name "Gacrux" is a contraction of the Bayer designation,

coined by astronomer Elijah Hinsdale Burritt (1794-1838).[40][41]

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Cepheus

Cephei

Garnet Star

Triangulum
Australe

Trianguli
Australis

Gatria

Corona Borealis

Coronae
Borealis

Gemma

Draco

Draconis

Gianfar

Capricornus

Capricorni

Giedi

Corvus

Corvi

Gienah, Gienah
Gurab

Cygnus

Cygni

Gienah

Scorpius

Scorpii

Girtab

Canis Minor

Canis
Minoris

Gomeisa

Perseus

Persei

Gorgonea Tertia

Scorpius

Scorpii

Graffias

Draco

Draconis

Grumium

Centaurus

Centauri

Hadar

Auriga

Aurigae

Haedus

Auriga

Aurigae

Haldus

Historical names / comments

Its colour was described as "garnet" by William Herschel.
Following Herschel, it was called garnet sidus by Giuseppe Piazzi

The Italian for "claws"; also once applied to Scorpii.[12][7]:p367

Traditional name (also written Hemal, Hamul, Ras Hammel)

deriving from the Arabic rs al-amal "head of the
ram", in turn from the name for the constellation as a whole, Al
amal "the ram".[7]:pp78,80

Aries

Arietis

Hamal

Auriga

Aurigae

Hassaleh

Pegasus

51 Pegasi

Helvetios

Hydrus

Hydri

Head of Hydrus

Orion

Orionis

Heka

Virgo

Virginis

Heze

Auriga

Aurigae

Hoedus (I)

Auriga

Aurigae

Hoedus II

Pegasus

Pegasi

Homam

Taurus

Tauri

Hyadum I

Taurus

Tauri

Hyadum II

Hydra

Hydrae

Hydrobius

Ursa Major

41 Lyncis

Intercrus

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Intercrus means "between the legs" in Latinstyle,
referring to the star's position in the constellation Ursa Major.[36]
Originally from Arabic izr "veil". In the Calendarium of Al
Achsasi Al Mouakket designated mintqa
al awwa,
translated into Latin as Cingulum Latratoris "belt of barker".
Named Pulcherrima (most beautiful) by Otto Struve.[42]

Botes

Botis

Izar

Scorpius

Scorpii

Jabbah

Auriga

Aurigae

Kabdhilinan

Cetus

Ceti

Kaffaljidhma

Hercules

Herculis

Kajam

Capricornus

Capricorni

Kastra

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Latin for 'the Helvetian' and refers to the Celtic tribe
that lived in Switzerland during antiquity.[36]

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Kaus Australis

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Kaus Borealis

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Kaus Media

Eridanus

40 Eridani

Keid

Equuleus

Equulei

Kitalpha

Ursa Minor

Ursae
Minoris

Kochab

Hercules

Herculis

Kornephoros

Corvus

Corvi

Kraz

Pisces

Piscium

Kullat Nunu

Draco

Draconis

Kuma

Cepheus

Cephei

Kurhah

Canes Venatici

Canum
Venaticorum

La Superba

Scorpius

Scorpii

Lesath

Aquila

Aquilae

Libertas

Vulpecula

Vulpeculae

Lucida Anseris

Hercules

Herculis

Maasym

Auriga

Aurigae

Mahasim

Taurus

20 Tauri

Maia

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeiae

Historical names / comments

The name is originally from Arabic ' al-qaid "the broken

egg-shells"

A modern (19th century) name, due to Angelo Secchi

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Latin for 'liberty' ('Aquila' is Latin for 'eagle', a
popular symbol of liberty).[36]

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Maia was one of
the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

The name is originally from Arabic al-mirfaq "the

elbow"

In Chinese, this star is called (G Do s, English:

the Fourth Star of Flying Corridor).[35]

Marfark

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Marfik

Pegasus

Pegasi

Markab

Pegasus

Pegasi

Matar

Gemini

Geminorum

Mebsuta

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Media

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Megrez

Orion

Orionis

Meissa

Gemini

Geminorum

Mekbuda

Cetus

Ceti

Menkab

Auriga

Aurigae

Menkalinan

Cetus

Ceti

Menkar

Centaurus

Centauri

Menkent

Perseus

Persei

Menkib

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Merak

Botes

38 Botis

Merga

Taurus

23 Tauri

Merope

Traditional name deriving from the Arabic Al-Maisan 'The

Shining One'.

Derived from the Arabic word manar "nostril" or Al

Minhar "nose" (of Cetus).[43][7]:p162

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Merope was one

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

Aries

Arietis

Mesarthim

Carina

Carinae

Miaplacidus

Crux

Crucis

Mimosa

Hydra

Hydrae

Minchir

Virgo

Virginis

Minelava

Corvus

Corvi

Minkar

Orion

Orionis

Mintaka

Right-most star in the belt of Orion. The name Mintaka itself is

derived from an Arabic term for 'belt': or mantaqa.
[7]:pp314-315

Cetus

Ceti

Mira

Latin for 'wonderful' or 'astonishing'; named by Johannes

Hevelius in his Historiola Mirae Stellae (1662).

Andromeda

Andromedae

Mirach

Perseus

Persei

Miram

Perseus

Persei

Mirfak

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Mirzam

Perseus

Persei

Misam

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Mizar

Triangulum

Trianguli

Mothallah

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Muliphein

Botes

Botis

Muphrid

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Murzim

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Muscida

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Muscida

Delphinus

18 Delphini

Musica

Orion

Orionis

Nair Al Saif

Puppis

Puppis

Naos

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Nash

Capricornus

Capricorni

Nashira

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia

Navi

Botes

Botis

Nekkar

Andromeda

51
Andromedae

Nembus

Lepus

Leporis

Nihal

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Nunki

Corona Borealis

Coronae
Borealis

Nusakan

Hercules

HD 149026

Ogma

Capricornus

Capricorni

Okul

Also bore the alternative historical name Becrux, a modern

contraction of the Bayer designation.[44]

The name is originally from Arabic al-mizar "apron,

waistband, girdle"

Alternative traditional spelling of Mufrid

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Latin for 'music' (the ancient Greek musician Arion's
life was saved at sea by dolphins (Latin: 'delphinus') after
attracting their attention by playing his kithara.[36]

"Navi" is a modern name, due to Gus Grissom (his middle name

"Ivan" spelled backward). In Chinese astronomy, it is known
as c "the whip".

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after Ogma, a deity in Celtic mythology[36]

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Pavo

Pavonis

Peacock

Columba

Columbae

Phact

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Phecda

Ursa Minor

Ursae
Minoris

Pherkad

Ursa Minor

Ursae
Minoris

Pherkard

Taurus

28 Tauri

Pleione

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Pleione was the
mother of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Became known as Polaris during the Renaissance, derived from
the Latin for 'of/near the (north) pole'.[45] other traditional names
include Cynosure; north star, pole star, lodestar etc. Latin stella
polaris, stella maris; Sanskrit dhruva tra "fixed star";
Arabic al-kutb al-shamaliyy "the northern axle",
among others.

Historical names / comments

Designated "Peacock" (after the constellation) by Her Majesty's
Nautical Almanac Office for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s.[33]

Alternative traditional names Phekda or Phad.

Ursa Minor

Ursae
Minoris

Polaris

Octans

Octantis

Polaris Australis

Gemini

Geminorum

Pollux

Virgo

Virginis

Porrima

Leo Minor

46 Leonis
Minoris

Praecipua

Canis Minor

Canis
Minoris

Procyon

Gemini

Geminorum

Propus

Centaurus

Centauri C

Proxima
Centauri

Eridanus

Eridani

Ran

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after the Norse goddess of the sea.[36]

Eridanus

Eridani

Rana

Rana is Latin for "frog". In Chinese, this star is called

(Tin Yun sn, English: the Third Star of Celestial Meadows).

Greek "preceding the Dog (viz. Sirius)"; in Latin

rendered as Antecanis.

[31]

Hercules

Herculis

Rasalgethi

Alternative traditional spelling of Ras Algethi.

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Rasalhague

Alternative traditional spelling of Ras Alhgue.

Leo

Leonis

Ras Elased
Australis

Leo

Leonis

Rasalas

Draco

Draconis

Rastaban

Vela

Velorum

Regor

Also known as Suhail and Suhail al Muhlif, which confusingly

also apply to lambda Velorum

Leo

Leonis

Regulus

Latin for 'prince' or 'little king'. Regulus was known to Persian

astrologers as the Royal star Venant, Watcher of the North.

Orion

Orionis

Rigel

Traditional name first recorded in the Alfonsine Tables of 1252

and derived from the Arabic name Rijl Jauzah al Yusr, "the left
leg (foot) of Jauzah" (i.e. rijl meaning "leg, foot").[7]:pp312-313

Centaurus

Centauri

Rigil Kentaurus

The name is originally from Arabic rijl qantris "foot

of the centaur".

Virgo

Virginis

Rijl al Awwa

Delphinus

Delphini

Rotanev

Cygnus

Cygni

Ruchba

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeiae

Ruchbah

Derived from the Arabic word rukbah meaning "knee".

[46]
Alternative historical name Ksora appeared in a 1951

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

publication, Atlas Coeli (Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens) by
Czech astronomer Antonn Bev; Professor Paul Kunitzch has
been unable to find any clues as to the origin of the name.[47]
In Chinese, this star is called (G Do sn, English: the
Third Star of Flying Corridor).[35]

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Rukbat

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Sabik

Aquarius

Aquarii

Sadachbia

Pegasus

Pegasi

Sadalbari

Aquarius

Aquarii

Sadalmelik

Aquarius

Aquarii

Sadalsuud

Auriga

Aurigae

Sadatoni

Cygnus

Cygni

Sadr

Orion

Orionis

Saiph

Pegasus

Pegasi

Salm

Scorpius

Scorpii

Sargas

Hercules

Herculis

Sarin

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Sarir

Eridanus

53 Eridani

Sceptrum

Pegasus

Pegasi

Scheat

Capricornus

Capricorni

Scheddi

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia

Cassiopeiae

Cassiopeia

Traditional name from the Arabic saif al jabbar, ''

literally sword of the giant.[48]

formerly "p Sceptri", in the constellation of Sceptrum

Brandenburgicum

Also traditionally bore the name Schedir; both originally

from Arabic adr "breast"; also al-dht alkursiyy "the lady in the chair (Ulugh Beg), whence Dath
Elkarti (Riccoli 1651).

In Chinese, this star is called (Wng Ling s,

English: the Fourth Star of Wang Liang).[35]

Schedar

Segin

Probably originates from an erroneous transcription of Seginus,

the traditional name for Botis, which itself is of uncertain
origin.[49]
In Chinese, this star is called (G Do r, English: the
Second Star of Flying Corridor).[35]

Botes

Botis

Seginus

Sagitta

Sagittae

Sham

Scorpius

Scorpii

Shaula

Lyra

Lyrae

Sheliak

Aries

Arietis

Sheratan

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Sinistra

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Sirius

Aquarius

Aquarii

Situla

Aquarius

Aquarii

Skat

Of uncertain origin.[49]

Greek "the scorcher"; in Egyptian Sopdet, rendered in

Greek as . As the brightest star in the sky, Sirius has proper
names in numerous cultures,
including Polynesian (Maori Takurua; Hawaiian Ka'ulua, "Queen
of Heaven", among others). Also known as the Dog Star.

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Another traditional names are Azimech, from Arabic
al-simk al-azal 'the Undefended', and Alarph, Arabic for
'the Grape Gatherer'; in Indian astronomy known as Chitra "the
bright one".

Virgo

Virginis

Spica

Taurus

22 Tauri

Sterope

Delphinus

Delphini

Sualocin

Leo

Leonis

Subra

Vela

Velorum

Suhail

Lyra

Lyrae

Sulafat

Virgo

Virginis

Syrma

Orion

Orionis

Tabit

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Talitha Australis

Ursa Major

Ursae Majoris Talitha

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Tania Australis

Ursa Major

Ursae
Majoris

Tania Borealis

Aquila

Aquilae

Tarazed

Alternative traditional spelling of Tarazet

Taurus

19 Tauri

Taygeta

Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Taygete was one
of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.

Cancer

Cancri

Tegmine

Alternative traditional name of Tegmen.

Sagittarius

Sagittarii

Terebellum

from Ptolemy's , a quadrangle of stars of which

Sag is the brightest

Gemini

Geminorum

Tejat Posterior

Gemini

Geminorum

Tejat Prior

Orion

Orionis

Thabit

Eridanus

Eridani

Theemin,
Beemin [citation
needed]

Draco

Draconis

Traditionally, this name also applied to gamma Velorum, also

known as Regor.

Alternative traditional name Talitha Borealis.

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Yun shr, English:

the Twelfth Star of Celestial Meadows).[31]

Thuban

Tien Kwan

In Chinese (Tingun, English: Celestial Gate).

Also reported as Shurnarkabti-sha-sht, from

Babylonian as "the Star in the Bull towards the South" or "the
Southern Star towards the Chariot".[7]:p391

Taurus

Tauri

Andromeda

Andromedae
A

Titawin

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after the settlement in northern Morocco
and UNESCO World Heritage Site now known as the medina (old
town) of Ttouan.[36]

Camelopardalis

HD 104985

Tonatiuh

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Named after the Aztec god of the Sun.[36]

Pisces

Piscium

Torcularis
Septentrionalis

Puppis

Puppis

Tureis

Draco

Draconis

Tyl

Serpens

Serpentis

Unukalhai

Alternative traditional name of Unuk

Lyra

Lyrae

Vega

The name is originally from Arabic an-nasr al-wqi "the

alighting vulture", also translated as vulture cadens (see
also Aetos Dios, Stymphalian birds). As the second brightest star
in the northern sky, Vega has names in numerous cultures. In

Constellation

Bayer
designation

Modern
proper name

Historical names / comments

Chinese it is known as "weaving girl" from the Qi Xi love
story. Vega is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.

Andromeda

14
Andromedae

Veritate

Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds

campaign.[4] Latin for 'where there is truth'.[36]

Virgo

Virginis

Vindemiatrix

Vindemiatrix is the Latin for "grape gatherer"

Gemini

Geminorum

Wasat

Columba

Columbae

Wazn

Canis Major

Canis
Majoris

Wezen

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Yed Prior

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchi

Yed Posterior

Ursa Minor

Ursae
Minoris

Yildun

Virgo

Virginis

Zaniah
Traditional name, alternatively spelled Zaurac; originally from
Arabic zawraq "boat".[7]:p218

Eridanus

Eridani

Zaurak

Virgo

Virginis

Zavijava

Eridanus

Eridani

Zibal

Leo

Leonis

Zosma

Libra

Librae

Zuben-el-Akrab

Libra

Librae

Zuben-el-Akribi

Libra

Librae

Zubenelgenubi

Alternative traditional names of Zuben-el-genubi or Lanx

Australis

Libra

Librae

Zubeneschamali

Alternative traditional names of Zuben-el-schemali or Lanx

Borealis

In Chinese, this star is called (Tin Yun y, English: the

First Star of Celestial Meadows).[31]

Contents
[hide]

1See also

2References
o

2.1General references

3External links

See also[edit]

Star portal

List of Arabic star names

List of nearest bright stars

Biblical names of stars

Stars named after people

Table of stars with Bayer designations

Traditional Chinese star names

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^ The NASA in 1971 compiled a "technical memorandum" collecting a total
of 537 named stars.

2.

Jump up^ "IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)". Retrieved 22 May 2016.

3.

Jump up^ "Bulletin of the IAU Working Group on Star Names, No. 1" (PDF).
Retrieved 28 July2016.

4.

^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Final Results of NameExoWorlds Public Vote

Released" (Press release). IAU.org. 15 December 2015.

5.

Jump up^ "Bulletin of the IAU Working Group on Star Names, No. 2" (PDF).
Retrieved 13 November 2016.

6.

^ Jump up to:a b c d e "IAU Catalog of Star Names". Retrieved 13 November 2016.

7.

^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Allen, Richard Hinckley (1963) [1899]. Star

Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: Dover
Publications Inc. ISBN 0-486-21079-0.

8.

^ Jump up to:a b (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)

2006 7 13

9.

^ Jump up to:a b (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)

2006 7 27

10. Jump up^ "Eta Cassiopeia (Achird) 2". SolStation.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
11. Jump up^ Kaler, Jim. "Achird". Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois.
Retrieved 2011-11-03.
12. ^ Jump up to:a b R. G. Aitken Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Vol. 36, No. 211 (June, 1924), pp. 124-130 JSTOR 40692425
13. Jump up^ Memoirs of the Rev. Walter M. Lowrie: missionary to China (1849), p. 93.
Described as an "Americanism" in The Geographical Journal, vol. 92, Royal
Geographical Society, 1938.
14. Jump up^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 19
15. Jump up^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 16
16. Jump up^ Flamsteed, John (1725). Historia Coelestis Britannica. H. Meere. p. 47.
17. Jump up^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 5 23
18. Jump up^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 3
19. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 10
20. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 5 12
21. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 5 14
22. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 22

23. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)

2006 3 22
24. Jump up^ Falkner, David E. (2011). "The Winter Constellations". The Mythology of
the Night Sky. Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series. p. 19. doi:10.1007/978-14614-0137-7_3. ISBN 978-1-4614-0136-0.
25. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 3 23
26. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 6
27. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 7 5
28. Jump up^ (Chinese) (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 6 10
29. Jump up^ Jetsu, L.; Porceddu, S. (2015). "Shifting Milestones of Natural Sciences:
The Ancient Egyptian Discovery of Algol's Period Confirmed". PLOS ONE. 10(12):
e.0144140 (23pp). arXiv:1601.06990
. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1044140J. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144140.
30. Jump up^ Ridpath, Ian (1989), Star tales, James Clarke & Co., p. 113, ISBN 07188-2695-7
31. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in
Astronomy) 2006 7 12
32. Jump up^ Stenner, Paul (auth.); Martin, Jack. Slaney, Kathleen L. Sugarman, Jeff.
(edit.) The Wiley Handbook of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology: Methods,
Approaches, and New Directions for Social Sciences. John Wiley & Sons, 2015; pg.
311.
33. ^ Jump up to:a b Sadler, Donald H. (2008). "A Personal History of H.M. Nautical
Almanac Office"(PDF). United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. p. 48. Retrieved 201608-02.
34. Jump up^ Kunitzsch, Paul (1986). "The Star Catalogue Commonly Appended to the
Alfonsine Tables". Journal for the History of Astronomy. 17 (49): 89
98. Bibcode:1986JHA....17...89K.
35. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in
Astronomy) 2006 7 9
36. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m NameExoWorlds The Approved Names
37. Jump up^ Robert Burnham, Jr. Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volume 1, p. 359.
38. Jump up^ Ian Ridpath: "Star Tales", Canes Venatici. See also Deborah J.
Warner, The Sky Explored: Celestial Cartography 1500-1800.
39. Jump up^ (Chinese) AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy)
2006 5 25
40. Jump up^ "Gacrux/Gamma Crucis 2?". SolStation.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
41. Jump up^ Lesikar, Arnold V. "Gacrux". Dome Of The Sky. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
42. Jump up^ Norton's Star Atlas, publ. Gall & Inglis, Edinburgh, 2nd Ed., 1959
43. Jump up^ Kaler, James B., "MENKAR (Alpha Ceti)", Stars, University of Illinois,
retrieved 2011-12-24
44. Jump up^ Hoffleit, Dorrit; Jaschek, Carlos (1991). The Bright star catalogue. New
Haven. Bibcode:1991bsc..book.....H.
45. Jump up^ Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names:
A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge,
Massachusetts: Sky Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-931559-44-7.

46. Jump up^ Bakich, Michael E. (1995), The Cambridge guide to the constellations,
Cambridge University Press, p. 170, ISBN 0-521-44921-9
47. Jump up^ Kunitzch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006) [1986]. A Dictionary of Modern Star
Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations. Cambridge,
Massachusetts: Sky Publishing Corporation. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-931559-44-7.
48. Jump up^ Kaler, James B., "SAIPH (Kappa Orionis)", Stars, University of Illinois,
retrieved 2012-01-27
49. ^ Jump up to:a b Simpson, Phil (2012). "3". Guidebook to the constellations. New
York: Springer. ISBN 9781441969408.

General references[edit]

Kunitzsch, Paul and Smart, Tim, A Dictionary of Modern Star Names (2006)

Rhoads, J. W. Technical Memorandum 33-507 - A Reduced Star Catalog

Containing 537 Named Stars, NASA-CR-124573, (1971)

SIMBAD online

Coleman, L. S., "Star Names" @Frosty Drew Observatory.

Dolan, C., "List of Named Stars in Alphabetical Order": Chris Dolan's Home Page
@UW-Madison Astronomy Department.

Kaler, J. B. "Jim", "Star Names - Proper Names" @University of Illinois.

Gibson, S. J.,"Star Names": Gibson's website @Arecibo Observatory.

Harper, D., Stockman, L M.,"(Un)Common Star Names": SkyEye.

Krochmal, M. S. "Mike","Proper names - stars and other objects" @Autoscan

Systems Pty. Ltd.

Ridpath, I., Star Names, "Popular names of stars": Ian Ridpath's Home page.

Smith, W. B., (1996) "FK5 - SAO - HD - Common Name Cross Index": (VizieR
archive @CDS).

External links[edit]

[show]

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