List of proper names of stars

This is a list of proper names of stars. These are the names of stars that have either been approved by the International Astronomical Union (its Working Group on Star Names has since 2016 been publishing a "List of IAU-approved Star Names", which as of June 2018 included a total of 330 proper names of stars) or which have been in somewhat recent usage. See also the lists of stars by constellation, which give 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. Traditional astronomy tends to group stars into asterisms, and give proper names to those, not to individual stars.

Many star names are in origin descriptive of the part of the asterism they are found in; thus Phecda, a corruption of the Arabic -فخذ الدب- fakhth al-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]". The same holds for Chinese astronomy, where most stars are enumerated within their constellation, with a handful of exceptions such as 織女 "weaving girl" (Vega).

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).

IAU Catalog

Main article: IAU Working Group on Star Names

In 2016, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN's first bulletin dated July 2016 included a table of 125 stars comprising 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 and recognized by the WGSN. Further batches of names were approved on 21 August, 12 September, 5 October and 6 November 2016. These were listed in a table of 102 stars included in the WGSN's second bulletin dated November 2016. The next additions were done on 1 February 2017 (13 new star names), 30 June 2017 (29), 5 September 2017 (41), 17 November 2017 (3), 1 June 2018 (17), and on 10 August 2018 (6). All 336 are included in the current List of IAU-approved Star Names, last updated on 10 August 2018.

List

In the table below, unless indicated by a '†', the 'Modern proper name' is that approved by the WGSN and entered in the List of IAU-approved Star Names. The WGSN decided to attribute proper names to individual stars rather than entire multiple systems. For such names relating to members of multiple star systems, and where a component letter (from e.g. Washington Double Star Catalog) is not explicitly listed, the WGSN says that the name should be understood to be attributed to the brightest component by visual brightness.

Constellation	Designation	Modern proper name	Historical names / comments
Eridanus	θ¹ Eridani A	Acamar	Originally called آخر النهر ākhir al-nahr in Arabic, meaning "river's end", 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). "Acamar" was first used in the Alphonsine tables (circa 1252). Also called Al Thalim ("the Ostrich") by fifteenth-century Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg. Georgius Chrysococca (14th century) called it Aulax in Greek, meaning "the Furrow".
Eridanus	α Eridani A	Achernar	The name was originally Arabic آخر النهر ākhir al-nahr "river's end"
Cassiopeia	η Cassiopeiae A	Achird	Apparently first applied to Eta Cassiopeiae in the Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens published in 1950, but is not known prior to that.
Scorpius	β Scorpii Aa	Acrab	The traditional names of the β Scorpii system included Akrab and Elakrab, derived (like Acrab) from Arabic العقرب al-‘aqrab, "the scorpion", and graffias, which is Italian for "claws" and which was also applied to Xi Scorpii.
Crux	α Crucis Aa	Acrux	Acrux is a modern contraction of the Bayer designation, coined in the 19th century, but which entered into common use only by the mid 20th century.
Cancer	α Cancri Aa	Acubens	The name was originally Arabic الزبانى al-zubānā, "the claws".
Leo	ζ Leonis Aa	Adhafera	Also called Aldhafera. The name is originally from Arabic الضفيرة al-ḍafīrah, "the braid (or curl, or strand) (of the lion's mane)"
Canis Major	ε Canis Majoris A	Adhara	The name is originally from Arabic عذارى ‘aðārā, "virgins". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket it is designated أول ألعذاري awwil al-aðāriy, translated into Latin as Prima Virginum, "first virgin".
Andromeda	ξ Andromedae	Adhil	The name was originally Arabic الذيل að-ðayl, 'the train' (lit. 'the tail')
Taurus	ε Tauri Aa1	Ain	The name is originally from Arabic عين ‘ayn, "eye" and was reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. The star was given the name Oculus Boreus (Latin for "northern eye") by John Flamsteed.
Sagittarius	ν¹ Sagittarii A	Ainalrami
Lyra	η Lyrae Aa	Aladfar	The name is originally from Arabic الأظفر al-uẓfur, "the talons (of the swooping eagle)", shared with μ Lyrae (Alathfar).
Andromeda	γ Andromedae	Alamak †	The name is originally from Arabic العناق الأرض al-‘anāq al-arḍ, "the caracal" (desert lynx). Another Arabic name is آلرجل المسلسلة al-rijl al-musalsalah, "the chained foot". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated جمس ألنعامة ḥāmis an-naʽāmah, translated into Latin as Quinta Struthionum, "fifth ostrich".
Lyra	μ Lyrae	Alathfar †	The name is originally from Arabic الأظفر al-uẓfur, "the talons (of the swooping eagle)", shared with η Lyrae (Aladfar).
Sagittarius	π Sagittarii A	Albaldah	The name is originally from Arabic بلدة baldah, "town". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated نير البلدة nayyir al-baldah, translated into Latin as Lucida Oppidi "brightest of the town".
Aquarius	ε Aquarii	Albali	The name is originally from Arabic البالع albāli‘, "the swallower". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated نير سعد ألبلع nayyir sa‘d al-bulaʽ, translated into Latin as Lucida Fortunæ Dissipantis, "the brightest of luck of the swallower".
Cygnus	β¹ Cygni Aa	Albireo	The source of the name Albireo is not entirely clear. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated منقار ألدجاجة minqār al-dajājah, translated into Latin as Rostrum Gallinæ "the hen's beak".
Corvus	α Corvi	Alchiba	From Arabic الخباء al-khibā’, "tent". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated ألمنخر ألغراب al-mankhar al-ghurāb, translated into Latin as Rostrum Corvi, "beak of the crow".
Ursa Major	80 Ursae Majoris Ca	Alcor	From Arabic الخوّار al‑khawwār, "the faint one". Known as Arundhati in traditional Indian astronomy.
Taurus	η Tauri A	Alcyone	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Alcyone was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Taurus	α Tauri	Aldebaran	The name was originally Arabic لدبران al-dabarān, "the follower (of the Pleiades)". In Indian astronomy known as Rohini "the red one". To Persian astrologers it was known as a Royal star, Tascheter, Watcher of the East. The Romans called this star Palilicium.
Cepheus	α Cephei	Alderamin	From Arabic الذراع اليمين al-ðirā‘ al-yamīn, "the right arm (of Cepheus)".
Grus	γ Gruis	Aldhanab	The name was originally Arabic الذنب al-ðanab, "the tail (of the constellation of the Southern Fish)"".
Draco	ζ Draconis A	Aldhibah	From Arabic الضّباع al ḍibā‘, "the hyenas"", shared with η Draconis. The other name of this star is Nodus III (Third Knot, the knot being a loop in the tail of Draco).
Delphinus	ε Delphini	Aldulfin
Cepheus	β Cephei Aa	Alfirk
Capricornus	α² Capricorni A	Algedi	Alternative traditional names of Al Giedi, Secunda Giedi and Algiedi Secunda
Pegasus	γ Pegasi	Algenib
Leo	γ¹ Leonis	Algieba
Perseus	β Persei Aa1	Algol	From Arabic رأس الغول ra’s al-ghūl, "head of the ogre". In Egyptian, Horus.
Perseus	π Persei	—	叠尸 Dié Shī "Piled up Corpses"; Allen (1899) associated the name with Algol, but it properly refers to π Persei, a star within the "Mausoleum" asterism.
Corvus	δ Corvi A	Algorab	The traditional name Algorab is derived from Arabic الغراب al-ghurāb, "the crow"). The WGSN re-designated the star as Algorab in July 2016.
Gemini	γ Geminorum Aa	Alhena	Derived from Arabic الهنعة al-han‘ah, "the brand" (on the neck of the camel)
Ursa Major	ε Ursae Majoris A	Alioth
Cygnus	ε Cygni Aa	Aljanah
Ursa Major	η Ursae Majoris	Alkaid
Cepheus	ρ² Cephei	Al Kalb al Rai †
Boötes	μ¹ Boötis Aa	Alkalurops
Ursa Major	κ Ursae Majoris A	Alkaphrah
Pegasus	υ Pegasi	Alkarab
Crater	α Crateris	Alkes
Auriga	ε Aurigae	Almaaz	Traditionally also called Haldus.
Andromeda	γ Andromedae A	Almach
Leo	κ Leonis	Al Minliar al Asad †
Grus	α Gruis	Alnair
Sagittarius	γ² Sagittarii	Alnasl	From Arabic النصل al-naṣl, "arrowhead".
Orion	ε Orionis	Alnilam	Middle star in the belt of Orion. The traditional name Alnilam derives from Arabic النيلم al-nīlam, related to the word nīlam, "sapphire"; related spellings are Alnihan and Alnitam.
Orion	ζ Orionis Aa	Alnitak	The traditional name, alternately spelled Al Nitak or Alnitah, is from Arabic النطاق al-niṭāq, "the girdle".
Scorpius	σ Scorpii Aa1	Alniyat	The star Tau Scorpii also bore Alniyat as its traditional name.
Hydra	α Hydrae	Alphard
Corona Borealis	α Coronae Borealis	Alphecca	The name nayyir al-fakkah نير الفكّة "bright (star) of the broken (ring of stars)" is found in the Al Achsasi al Mouakket catalogue (c. 1650). Also known as Gemma, Gnosia (Gnosia Stella Coronae), and Asteroth (or Ashtaroth). As the brightest star in Corona Borealis, it lent its name to Alphekka Meridiana, the brightest in the constellation of Corona Australis.
Andromeda	α Andromedae Aa	Alpheratz
Pisces	η Piscium	Alpherg
Draco	μ Draconis A	Alrakis	From Arabic الراقص al-rāqiṣ, "the dancer"; also spelled Arrakis and Elrakis.
Pisces	α Piscium A	Alrescha
Draco	HD 161693	Alruba
Draco	σ Draconis	Alsafi
Lynx	31 Lyncis	Alsciaukat
Vela	δ Velorum Aa	Alsephina
Aquila	β Aquilae A	Alshain
Capricornus	ν Capricorni A	Alshat
Aquila	α Aquilae	Altair	From Arabic النسر الطائر (al-nasr) al-ṭā’ir, "the flying (eagle)". In Chinese, 牵牛星 (Qiān Niú Xīng) or 牛郎星 ( Niú Láng Xīng), "Cow Herder Star" of the Qixi love story. One of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.
Draco	δ Draconis	Altais	also Aldib
Leo	λ Leonis	Alterf
Canis Major	η Canis Majoris	Aludra
Ursa Major	ξ Ursae Majoris Aa	Alula Australis
Ursa Major	ν Ursae Majoris	Alula Borealis
Serpens	θ¹ Serpentis A	Alya
Gemini	ξ Geminorum	Alzirr	alternately spelled Alzir
Aquarius	θ Aquarii	Ancha
Eridanus	τ² Eridani	Angetenar	The name is originally from Arabic عرجة النهر ‘arjat al-nahr, "the bend of the river"
Phoenix	α Phoenicis	Ankaa
Vulpecula	α Vulpeculae	Anser	Alternative traditional name is Lucida Anseris.
Scorpius	α Scorpii A	Antares	Ancient Greek, Άντάρης, "against Ares (Mars)". It was known to Persian astrologers as a Royal star: Satevis, Watcher of the West.
Boötes	α Boötis	Arcturus
Sagittarius	β² Sagittarii	Arkab Posterior
Sagittarius	β¹ Sagittarii A	Arkab Prior
Lepus	α Leporis A	Arneb	Traditional name Arneb is from the Arabic أرنب arnab, 'hare' ('Lepus' is Latin for hare).
Sagittarius	ζ Sagittarii A	Ascella
Cancer	δ Cancri Aa	Asellus Australis
Cancer	γ Cancri Aa	Asellus Borealis
Hydra	ε Hydrae	Ashlesha
Boötes	θ Boötis	Asellus Primus †	Latin for "first donkey colt"
Boötes	ι Boötis	Asellus Secundus †	Latin for "second donkey colt"
Boötes	κ Boötis	Asellus Tertius †
Puppis	ξ Puppis	Asmidiske †
Carina	ι Carinae	Aspidiske
Taurus	21 Tauri A	Asterope	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Asterope was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Draco	η Draconis A	Athebyne
Perseus	ο Persei A	Atik
Taurus	27 Tauri Aa1	Atlas	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Atlas was the Titan god of endurance and astronomy and the father of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Triangulum Australe	α Trianguli Australis	Atria
Carina	ε Carinae A	Avior	Designated 'Avior' by His Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s.
Cygnus	π¹ Cygni	Azelfafage	Variously reported as from Arabic السلحفاة al-sulaḥfāh "turtle", ألطلف ألفرس al-ṭīlf al-faras, "horse track", or عزلألدجاجة al-ʽazal al-dajājah, "the tail of the hen"
Eridanus	η Eridani	Azha	Originally from Arabic اشيانة "nest (of the ostrich)"
Puppis	ξ Puppis	Azmidi
Ophiuchus	GJ 699	Barnard's Star	Named after the American astronomer E E Barnard, the first to measure its high proper motion.
Cetus	ζ Ceti Aa	Baten Kaitos
Eridanus	υ³ Eridani	Beemim
Eridanus	ο¹ Eridani	Beid	The name is originally from Arabic البيض al-bayḍ, "the eggs".
Orion	γ Orionis	Bellatrix	Latin for "female warrior"; applied to this star in the 15th century.
Orion	α Orionis Aa	Betelgeuse	Derived from Arabic إبط الجوزاء ibṭ al-jauzā’, "the axilla of Orion", or from يد الجوزاء yad al-jauzā’, "the hand of Orion".
Aries	41 Arietis Aa	Bharani
Pegasus	θ Pegasi	Biham
Aries	δ Arietis	Botein
Libra	σ Librae A	Brachium
Aquarius	ξ Aquarii	Bunda
Carina	α Carinae A	Canopus	Ptolemy's Κάνωβος, after Canopus (Kanopos, Kanobos), a pilot from Greek mythology, whose name is itself of uncertain etymology.
Auriga	α Aurigae Aa	Capella	The traditional name Capella (English: small female goat) is from Latin, and is a diminutive of the Latin Capra (English: female goat).
Cassiopeia	β Cassiopeiae A	Caph	* The name is originally Arabic كف 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".
Gemini	α Geminorum Aa	Castor
Cassiopeia	υ² Cassiopeiae	Castula
Ophiuchus	β 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	μ Arae	Cervantes	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the Spanish author of El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Ursa Major	47 Ursae Majoris	Chalawan	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after a mythological crocodile king from a Thai folktale.
Taurus	θ² Tauri Aa	Chamukuy
Canes Venatici	β Canum Venaticorum Aa	Chara
Leo	θ Leonis	Chertan	Alternative traditional name of Chort.
Cancer	55 Cancri A	Copernicus	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign in honor of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Canes Venatici	α Canum Venaticorum Aa	Cor Caroli	Named after Charles I of England by Sir Charles Scarborough
Hercules	ω Herculis A	Cujam	Traditional name, variously spelled Kajam.
Eridanus	β Eridani	Cursa	The name is originally from Arabic الكرسي al-kursiy, "the chair, footstool"
Capricornus	β¹ Capricorni Aa	Dabih
Fornax	α Fornacis A	Dalim
Cygnus	α Cygni	Deneb	The name is originally from Arabic ذنب الدجاجة ðanab al-dajājahh}}. In Chinese, Deneb is part of 鵲橋 "Magpie bridge" in the Qi Xi love story. Deneb is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.
Capricornus	δ Capricorni Aa	Deneb Algedi
Leo	β Leonis	Denebola
Coma Berenices	α Comae Berenices A	Diadem
Cetus	β Ceti	Diphda	Alternatively Deneb Kaitos.
Scorpius	δ Scorpii A	Dschubba
Ursa Major	α Ursae Majoris A	Dubhe
Draco	ψ¹ Draconis A	Dziban	From the traditional name of Dziban or Dsiban for ψ¹ Draconis, derived from Arabic al-dhi’ban, meaning "the two wolves" or "The two jackals".
Draco	ι Draconis	Edasich	Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites.
Taurus	17 Tauri	Electra	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Electra was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Virgo	φ Virginis	Elgafar
Columba	θ Columbae	Elkurud
Taurus	β Tauri Aa	Elnath	Variously El Nath or Alnath, from Arabic النطح an-naṭḥ, meaning "the butting" (i.e. "the bull's horns").
Draco	γ Draconis	Eltanin	Alternative traditional name of Etamin; both originally from the Arabic constellation name التنين al-tinnīn, "the great serpent". γ Dra was also one of the "Five Camels", Quinque Dromedarii, in Arabic al‑ʽawāïd.
Pegasus	ε Pegasi	Enif
Cepheus	γ Cephei Aa	Errai	Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites.
Draco	42 Draconis A	Fafnir	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after a Norse mythological dwarf who turned into a dragon.
Scorpius	π Scorpii Aa	Fang
Cygnus	δ Cygni	Fawaris
Hydra	HD 85951	Felis
Piscis Austrinus	α Piscis Austrini A	Fomalhaut	The name is originally from Arabic فم الحوت fum al-ḥawt, "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.
Cassiopeia	ζ Cassiopeiae	Fulu
Pisces	β Piscium	Fumalsamakah
Canis Major	ζ Canis Majoris Aa	Furud
Scorpius	G Scorpii	Fuyue
Crux	γ Crucis	Gacrux	The name "Gacrux" is a contraction of the Bayer designation, coined by astronomer Elijah Hinsdale Burritt (1794–1838).
Cepheus	μ Cephei	Garnet Star †	Its colour was described as "garnet" by William Herschel. Following Herschel, it was called garnet sidus by Giuseppe Piazzi
Draco	λ Draconis	Giausar	Traditional name, variously spelled Gianfar.
Corvus	γ Corvi A	Gienah	Also known as Gienah Gurab; the star ε Cygni is also traditionally known as Gienah.
Crux	ε Crucis	Ginan	Traditional name in the culture of the Wardaman people of the Northern territory of Australia.
Canis Minor	β Canis Minoris A	Gomeisa
Scorpius	ξ Scorpii	Graffias †	Italian for "claws"; also once applied to β Scorpii.
Draco	ξ Draconis A	Grumium
Serpens	κ Serpentis	Gudja
Ophiuchus	36 Ophiuchi	Guniibuu
Centaurus	β Centauri Aa	Hadar
Auriga	η Aurigae	Haedus
Aries	α Arietis	Hamal	Traditional name (also written Hemal, Hamul, or Ras Hammel), derived from Arabic راس الحمل rās al-ḥamal, "head of the ram", in turn from the name for the constellation as a whole, al ḥamal, "the ram".
Auriga	ι Aurigae	Hassaleh
Orion	ι Orionis Aa	Hatysa
Pegasus	51 Pegasi	Helvetios	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for 'the Helvetian' and refers to the Celtic tribe that lived in Switzerland during antiquity.
Virgo	ζ Virginis	Heze
Pegasus	ζ Pegasi A	Homam
Scorpius	ρ Scorpii Aa	Iklil
Crux	δ Crucis	Imai
Ursa Major	41 Lyncis	Intercrus	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Intercrus means "between the legs" in Latin style, referring to the star's position in the constellation Ursa Major.
Boötes	ε Boötis A	Izar	Originally from Arabic إزار izār, "veil". In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated منتقة ألعوع mintaqah al‑‘awwa‘, translated into Latin as Cingulum Latratoris, "belt of barker". Named Pulcherrima (most beautiful) by Otto Struve.
Scorpius	ν Scorpii Aa	Jabbah
Gemini	ο Geminorum	Jishui
Cetus	γ Ceti A	Kaffaljidhma
Virgo	κ Virginis	Kang
Sagittarius	ε Sagittarii A	Kaus Australis
Sagittarius	λ Sagittarii	Kaus Borealis
Sagittarius	δ Sagittarii	Kaus Media
Eridanus	40 Eridani A	Keid	The name is originally from Arabic القيض al-qayḍ, "the broken egg-shells".
Virgo	λ Virginis A	Khambalia
Equuleus	α Equulei A	Kitalpha
Ursa Minor	β Ursae Minoris	Kochab
Hercules	β Herculis Aa	Kornephoros
Corvus	β Corvi	Kraz
Draco	ν Draconis	Kuma †
Cepheus	ξ Cephei Aa	Kurhah
Canes Venatici	Y Canum Venaticorum	La Superba	A modern (19th century) name, due to Angelo Secchi.
Scorpius	ε Scorpii	Larawag	Traditional name in the culture of the Wardaman people of the Northern territory of Australia.
Scorpius	υ Scorpii	Lesath
Aquila	ξ Aquilae A	Libertas	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for 'liberty' ('Aquila' is Latin for 'eagle', a popular symbol of liberty).
Virgo	PSR B1257+12	Lich	A neutron star and pulsar with planets. Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. A lich is a fictional undead creature known for controlling other undead creatures with magic.
Aries	39 Arietis	Lilii Borea
Hercules	λ Herculis	Maasym
Auriga	θ Aurigae A	Mahasim
Taurus	20 Tauri	Maia	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Maia was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Cassiopeia	θ Cassiopeiae	Marfark †	The name is originally from Arabic المرفق al-mirfaq, "the elbow"
Ophiuchus	λ Ophiuchi A	Marfik
Pegasus	α Pegasi	Markab
Vela	κ Velorum	Markeb
Hercules	κ Herculis A	Marsic
Pegasus	η Pegasi Aa	Matar
Gemini	ε Geminorum	Mebsuta
Ursa Major	δ Ursae Majoris	Megrez
Orion	λ Orionis A	Meissa	Traditional name deriving from Arabic al-maisan, "The Shining One".
Gemini	ζ Geminorum Aa	Mekbuda
Cancer	ε Cancri Aa	Meleph
Auriga	β Aurigae Aa	Menkalinan
Cetus	α Ceti	Menkar	Derived from Arabic منخر manḥar, "nostril", or al‑minhar, "nose" (of Cetus).
Centaurus	θ Centauri	Menkent
Perseus	ξ Persei	Menkib
Ursa Major	β Ursae Majoris	Merak
Boötes	38 Boötis	Merga
Corona Australis	α Coronae Australis	Meridiana
Taurus	23 Tauri Aa	Merope	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Merope was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Aries	γ² Arietis A	Mesarthim
Carina	β Carinae	Miaplacidus
Crux	β Crucis	Mimosa	Also bore the alternative historical name Becrux, a modern contraction of the Bayer designation.
Hydra	σ Hydrae	Minchir
Virgo	δ Virginis	Minelauva	alternately spelled Minelava
Orion	δ Orionis Aa	Mintaka	Right-most star in the belt of Orion. The name Mintaka itself is derived from Arabic منطقة manṭaqah, "belt".
Cetus	ο Ceti Aa	Mira	Latin for "wonderful" or "astonishing"; named by Johannes Hevelius in his Historiola Mirae Stellae (1662).
Andromeda	β Andromedae	Mirach
Perseus	η Persei A	Miram
Perseus	α Persei	Mirfak
Canis Major	β Canis Majoris	Mirzam
Perseus	κ Persei Aa	Misam
Ursa Major	ζ Ursae Majoris Aa	Mizar	The name is originally from Arabic المئزر al-miʾzar, "apron, waistband, girdle". 禄 Lù "Status", one of the "Three Stars" in Chinese mythology, the Lu star is believed to be Zhang Xian, who lived during the Later Shu dynasty. The word lu specifically refers to the salary of a government official. As such, the Lu star is the star of prosperity, rank, and influence.
Triangulum	α Trianguli	Mothallah
Canis Major	γ Canis Majoris	Muliphein
Boötes	η Boötis Aa	Muphrid	Alternative traditional spelling of "Mufrid".
Ursa Major	ο Ursae Majoris A	Muscida
Delphinus	18 Delphini	Musica	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. 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.
Cancer	ξ Cancri	Nahn
Puppis	ζ Puppis	Naos
Capricornus	γ Capricorni A	Nashira
Cassiopeia	γ Cassiopeia	Navi †	"Navi" is a modern name, due to Gus Grissom (his middle name "Ivan" spelled backward). In Chinese astronomy, it is known as 策 cè "the whip".
Boötes	β Boötis	Nekkar
Andromeda	51 Andromedae	Nembus
Lepus	β Leporis A	Nihal
Sagittarius	σ Sagittarii Aa	Nunki
Corona Borealis	β Coronae Borealis A	Nusakan
Hercules	HD 149026	Ogma	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after Ogma, a deity in Celtic mythology.
Aquila	ζ Aquilae	Okab
Scorpius	τ Scorpii	Paikauhale
Pavo	α Pavonis Aa	Peacock	Designated "Peacock" (after the constellation) by His Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s.
Columba	α Columbae	Phact
Ursa Major	γ Ursae Majoris Aa	Phecda	Alternative traditional names Phekda or Phad.
Ursa Minor	γ Ursae Minoris	Pherkad
Cancer	λ Cancri A	Piautos
Scorpius	μ² Scorpii A	Pipirima
Taurus	28 Tauri Aa	Pleione	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Pleione was the mother of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Ursa Minor	α Ursae Minoris	Polaris	Became known as stella polaris ("polar star") during the Renaissance. see polar star for other names based on its position close to the celestial pole. Arabic القطب الشمالي al-quṭb al-shamāliyy, "the northern axle".
Octans	σ Octantis Aa	Polaris Australis	see South Star
Sagittarius	μ Sagittarii Aa	Polis
Gemini	β Geminorum	Pollux
Virgo	γ Virginis A	Porrima
Leo Minor	46 Leonis Minoris	Praecipua
Taurus	γ Tauri A	Prima Hyadum
Canis Minor	α Canis Minoris A	Procyon	Greek προκύον "preceding the Dog (viz. Sirius)"; Latinized as Antecanis.
Gemini	η Geminorum A	Propus
Centaurus	α Centauri C	Proxima Centauri
Eridanus	ε Eridani	Ran	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the Norse goddess of the sea.
Eridanus	δ Eridani	Rana †
Leo	μ Leonis	Rasalas
Hercules	α¹ Herculis Aa	Rasalgethi	also Ras Algethi.
Ophiuchus	α Ophiuchi A	Rasalhague	also Ras Alhgue.
Draco	β Draconis A	Rastaban
Vela	γ Velorum	Regor †	Also known as Suhail and Suhail al Muhlif, which also apply to lambda Velorum
Leo	α Leonis A	Regulus	Latin for "prince" or "little king". Regulus was known to Persian astrologers as the Royal Star Venant, Watcher of the North.
Pisces	ζ Piscium A	Revati
Orion	β Orionis A	Rigel	Traditional name first recorded in the Alfonsine Tables of 1252 and derived from the Arabic name rijl jauzah al uusrā, "the left leg (foot) of Jauzah" (rijl meaning "leg, foot").
Centaurus	α Centauri A	Rigil Kentaurus	The name is originally from Arabic رجل قنطورس rijl qantūriš, "foot of the centaur".
Delphinus	β Delphini A	Rotanev
Cassiopeia	δ Cassiopeiae Aa	Ruchbah	Derived from Arabic ركبة rukbah, "knee". Alternative historical name Ksora appeared in a 1951 publication, Atlas Coeli (Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens) by Czech astronomer Antonín Bečvář; Professor Paul Kunitzch has been unable to find any clues as to the origin of the name.
Sagittarius	α Sagittarii	Rukbat
Ophiuchus	η Ophiuchi A	Sabik
Auriga	ζ Aurigae A	Saclateni
Aquarius	γ Aquarii Aa	Sadachbia
Pegasus	μ Pegasi	Sadalbari
Aquarius	α Aquarii A	Sadalmelik
Aquarius	β Aquarii A	Sadalsuud
Cygnus	γ Cygni A	Sadr
Orion	κ Orionis	Saiph	Traditional name from Arabic سیف الجبّار sayf al-jabbār, literally sword of the giant.
Pegasus	τ Pegasi	Salm
Scorpius	θ Scorpii A	Sargas
Hercules	δ Herculis Aa	Sarin
Ursa Major	θ Ursae Majoris	Sarir †
Eridanus	53 Eridani A	Sceptrum	Formerly "p Sceptri", in the constellation of Sceptrum Brandenburgicum
Pegasus	β Pegasi	Scheat
Cassiopeia	α Cassiopeiae	Schedar	Also traditionally bore the name Schedir; both originally from Arabic صدر ṣadr, "breast"; also ألضاة ألكرسي al-ḍāh al-kursiyy, "the lady in the chair (Ulugh Beg)", whence Dath Elkarti (Riccoli 1651).
Taurus	δ¹ Tauri Aa	Secunda Hyadum
Cassiopeia	ε Cassiopeia	Segin	Probably originates from an erroneous transcription of Seginus, the traditional name for γ Boötis, which itself is of uncertain origin.
Boötes	γ Boötis Aa	Seginus	Of uncertain origin.
Sagitta	α Sagittae	Sham
Scorpius	λ Scorpii Aa	Shaula
Lyra	β Lyrae Aa1	Sheliak
Aries	β Arietis A	Sheratan
Canis Major	α Canis Majoris A	Sirius	Greek Σείριος "the scorcher"; in Egyptian Sopdet, rendered in Greek as Σῶθις. 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.
Aquarius	κ Aquarii A	Situla
Aquarius	δ Aquarii A	Skat
Virgo	α Virginis Aa	Spica	Other traditional names are Azimech, from Arabic السماك الأعزل al-simāk al-a‘zal, "the undefended", and Alarph, Arabic for "the grape gatherer"; in Indian astronomy known as Chitra "the bright one".
Delphinus	α Delphini Aa	Sualocin
Leo	ο Leonis Aa	Subra
Vela	λ Velorum	Suhail	Traditionally, this name also applied to gamma Velorum, also known as Regor.
Lyra	γ Lyrae	Sulafat
Virgo	ι Virginis	Syrma
Orion	π³ Orionis	Tabit
Ursa Major	χ Ursae Majoris	Taiyangshou
Draco	8 Draconis	Taiyi
Ursa Major	ι Ursae Majoris Aa	Talitha	or Talitha Borealis, as Talitha originally referred to κ UMa and ι UMa together
Ursa Major	μ Ursae Majoris A	Tania Australis
Ursa Major	λ Ursae Majoris A	Tania Borealis
Aquila	γ Aquilae	Tarazed	Alternative traditional spelling of Tarazet
Cancer	β Cancri	Tarf
Taurus	19 Tauri Aa	Taygeta	Member of the Pleiades open star cluster (M45). Taygete was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology.
Cancer	ζ¹ Cancri A	Tegmine	Alternative traditional name of Tegmen.
Gemini	μ Geminorum Aa	Tejat	Traditional name, also called Tejat Posterior.
Sagittarius	ω Sagittarii A	Terebellum	From Ptolemy's τετράπλευρον, a quadrangle of stars of which ω Sag is the brightest
Orion	υ Orionis	Thabit †
Eridanus	υ² Eridani	Theemin	Also written as Theemim or Beemin.
Draco	α Draconis A	Thuban
Grus	β Gruis	Tiaki
Taurus	ζ Tauri A	Tianguan	In Chinese 天關 (Tiānguān, English: Celestial Gate). Also reported as Shurnarkabti-sha-shūtū, from Babylonian "the star in the bull towards the south" or "the southern star towards the chariot".
Draco	7 Draconis	Tianyi
Andromeda	υ Andromedae A	Titawin	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the settlement in northern Morocco and UNESCO World Heritage Site now known as the medina (old town) of Tétouan.
Centaurus	α Centauri B	Toliman
Camelopardalis	HD 104985	Tonatiuh	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the Aztec god of the Sun.
Pisces	ο Piscium A	Torcular
Puppis	ρ Puppis A	Tureis
Hydra	ι Hydrae	Ukdah
Serpens	α Serpentis	Unukalhai	Arabic عنق الحيّة ‘unuq al-ḥayyati, "the Serpent's Neck", in Latin Cor Serpentis, "Heart of the Serpent".
Canis Major	σ Canis Majoris	Unurgunite
Lyra	α Lyrae	Vega	The name is originally from Arabic an-nasr al-wāqi‘, "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 Chinese it is known as 織女 "weaving girl" from the Qi Xi love story. Vega is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle.
Andromeda	14 Andromedae A	Veritate	Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for 'where there is truth'.
Virgo	ε Virginis	Vindemiatrix	Vindemiatrix is Latin for "grape gatherer"
Gemini	δ Geminorum Aa	Wasat
Columba	β Columbae	Wazn
Canis Major	δ Canis Majoris Aa	Wezen
Phoenix	ζ Phoenicis Aa	Wurren	Traditional name in the culture of the Wardaman people of the Northern territory of Australia.
Scorpius	μ¹ Scorpii Aa	Xamidimura
Boötes	λ Boötis	Xuange
Ophiuchus	ε Ophiuchi	Yed Posterior
Ophiuchus	δ Ophiuchi	Yed Prior
Ursa Minor	δ Ursae Minoris	Yildun
Virgo	η Virginis Aa	Zaniah
Eridanus	γ Eridani	Zaurak	Traditional name, alternatively spelled Zaurac; originally from Arabic زورق zawraq, "boat".
Virgo	β Virginis	Zavijava	also known as Alaraph
Hydra	υ¹ Hydrae A	Zhang
Eridanus	ζ Eridani Aa	Zibal
Leo	δ Leonis	Zosma
Libra	α² Librae Aa	Zubenelgenubi	also Lanx Australis, Zubeneschamali
Libra	γ Librae A	Zubenelhakrabi
Libra	β Librae	Zubeneschamali

See also

• 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

General references

• Paul Kunitzsch; Tim Smart (2006). A Dictionary of Modern Star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations. Sky Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-1-931559-44-7.
• Rhoads, J. W. (1971). "Technical Memorandum 33-507 - A Reduced Star Catalog Containing 537 Named Stars, NASA-CR-124573," (PDF). Retrieved 2018-02-03.

External links

• 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).