30 Baby Names Inspired by Astronomy and the Universe

Look at the stars on dark nights to find the name you're looking for. Here are 30 alternatives inspired by astronomy and the universe.

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Elena Sanz Martín.

Written by Maria del Mar Garcia Martin

Last update: 27 December, 2022

On a dark night, with the stars lighting up the sky, you’ve probably wondered many things about the past, the present, and the future. What if the stars can provide you with the answer regarding what to call your future little one? Find out with this comprehensive list of baby names inspired by astronomy and the universe.

30 baby names inspired by astronomy and the universe

Since ancient times, humans have looked to the sky to find the answers to their questions :

You may not know what to name your future baby yet, and that’s why we’ve put together some options based on astronomy and the universe for you. Stars, constellations, satellites, and planets will be of great help in this exciting quest.

Names inspired by astronomy and the universe: From A to B

• Adhara: a star of the constellation Canis Major. It’s the second brightest in this constellation and one of the brightest in the entire universe. Its name comes from Arabic and means “orange blossom”.
• Alya: This is the name of a star in the constellation of Serpens (tail of the serpent). Its name comes from Arabic and means “from the sky”.
• Andromeda: in Greek mythology, she was the beautiful goddess wife of Perseus, son of Zeus. The name means “woman who can handle everything”. A name with great power for the future lady of the house.
• Arcturus: this is the third brightest star in the sky. Its name comes from ancient Greek Arcturus and means “the guardian of the bear”, due to its proximity to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
• Ariel: although it may sound familiar to you from the movie The Little Mermaid, the truth is that this unisex name corresponds to that of one of the moons of Uranus. Ariel is made up of rocks and is surrounded by a blanket of ice.
• Atlas: this is a star that’s part of the constellation of Taurus. It was named after Atlas, the young titan whom Zeus condemned to carry the heavens on his shoulders.
• Atria: this is the brightest star in the constellation Triangulum Australe. In fact, its mass is almost seven times that of the Sun and it emits thousands of times its radiation.
• Aurora: this is the woman who symbolizes the dawn in Roman mythology. In addition, her name represents the luminosity of the polar auroras. With this name, your baby will be surrounded by magical and surprising colors forever.
• Baham: a name of Arabic origin that means “good luck”. It’s a star in the constellation Pegasus.
• Bianca: it’s one of the moons of Uranus and receives its name thanks to the protagonist of the play The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare.

Names inspired by astronomy and the universe: C to M

• Callisto: this is a unisex name and corresponds to one of the moons that orbit Jupiter. According to Greek mythology, she was a huntress in the courtship of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, who stole Zeus’s heart almost at first sight.
• Cassiopeia: according to Greek mythology, she was the wife of King Cepheus, of Ethiopia, and mother of Andromeda. She possessed enormous beauty. However, her enormous vanity aroused the wrath of Poseidon, who condemned her to become a constellation.
• Celeste: this is a Latin name, which comes from caelestis or caelestinus, which means “the one from heaven”. A superhuman attribute that exceeds all the good wishes that a parent has for their future little girl.
• Ceres: this is the largest asteroid in the main belt located between Mars and Jupiter. It’s made up of ice and rocks and is named after the Roman goddess of fertility and agriculture.
• Deneb: a name of Arabic origin that means “tail”. It refers to the location of this star in the constellation of the Swan, which is one of the brightest in the sky. Just like your baby will be to you.
• Draco: a constellation already listed in Ptolemy’s Almagest (2nd century). According to Greco-Roman legend, Draco was a dragon killed by the goddess Minerva for stealing apples. Then, he was thrown into the sky, near the constellation Hercules. On the other hand, according to a study published by the Eurasian Astronomical Society, this constellation is part of Chinese astronomical practices, along with Serpens, Hydra, and Eridanus.
• Eirene: a moon of Jupiter that represents the goddess of peace in Greek mythology.
• Francisco: this is another of the moons of Uranus and also one of the protagonists of The Tempest, by Shakespeare.
• Halley: this is one of the most well-known comets and one that you may see once in your entire life. Or more, if you choose it as the name for your future daughter. Even if it comes in a small container, for you it will be the biggest and brightest star that will orbit around your sun. Isn’t it the most perfect option?
• Leo: a constellation that’s between Cancer and Virgo. As you may well guess, it’s named for its resemblance to a lion.
• Luna: the Spanish word for “moon”, it’s the natural satellite of planet Earth and one of the most important sources of light for its inhabitants. The name is of Latin origin and means “the one who illuminates”, so the girls who bear this name inspire peace, mystery, reflection, and beauty.
• Miranda: this is the smallest of the five main moons of Uranus. In addition, it receives its name from the daughter of the magician of The Tempest.

Baby names inspired by astronomy and the universe: From N to Z

• Nashira: “the one who brings good news” in Arabic. This is also the name of a star in the constellation Capricorn.
• Nova: in Latin, it means “new”. When a nova occurred, ancient astronomers saw a new star in the night sky. In addition, the supernova is a true starburst, just like the arrival of your future daughter in your life.
• Orion: known worldwide as “the constellation of the hunter”. His name alludes to the mythological giant who’s supported by his two hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor.
• Phoenix: this is the name of a constellation and means “the one who rises from its ashes”.
• Selene: this is the name of the Greek goddess associated with the Moon. It comes from the ancient Greek Selếnê which refers to “the light of the moon”. In Spanish, it translates to “the woman of light” or “the one with the flash”.
• Sirius: this name is of Greek origin, but it’s so old that its meaning is unknown. In addition, it’s the name of the brightest star in the constellation Can Mayor.
• Star: this is the source of light that illuminates the path of men and that, without a doubt, will mark the course of your life.
• Stella: this is the most classic option to call a baby and in Latin, it means “star”.
• Tania: this is the name of two stars in the Ursa Major constellation. For ancient Arabs, the stars associated with the bear’s legs were the footprints of leaping gazelles.
• Ursa: means “bear” and refers to Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
• Vega: its meaning is “fertile land extension”. It’s also a star in the constellation Lyra.
• Vela: this is a southern constellation, which is part of the Argo Navis constellation. In it, it represents the sail of a ship.
• Zaniah: this is the name of a star in the constellation Virgo. Its name is of Arabic origin and means “angle”.

Have the stars aligned in your favor?

Perhaps you haven’t considered asking the universe for the name of your future baby, but with this list, you’ll surely change your mind.

In ancient times, men of science chose to give the stars names with a special meaning. You’ll do the same thing to identify that unique being in your life.

If you haven’t been convinced by any of these options, don’t worry. The universe may be preparing an even better alternative for you.