Chapter Summary

This chapter is intended to assist with characters named after constellations and celestial bodies, like most of the Blacks. It covers all 88 modern constellations; all of the planets (plus Pluto) and all of the moons discovered by 1914; various stars, including the twenty brightest; and numerous asteroids.

Where I don’t have a preexisting English tradition to fall back on, names are described as masculine, feminine, or unisex according to their gender in the source language and their use in other European languages. Where I have found French and Latin variations of the English name, I give those as well in case you want them.

Constellations may be northern or southern, meaning that they are best viewed from that hemisphere, and either seasonal or circumpolar, meaning that they are either best viewed during a particular season or can be viewed well (from the right hemisphere) throughout the year. Seasonal constellations can be viewed from the opposite hemisphere during the opposing season, e.g. if you are in the southern hemisphere, then the best time to view a northern spring constellation is in autumn.

If you really want to double-down on the theme, consider dropping “Senior and Junior” (Sr., Jr.) for “Major and Minor” (Mj., Mn.), and “the First, the Second, the Third” (I, II, III…) for “Alpha, Beta, Gamma…” (Α, Β, Γ… or α, β, γ…), e.g. “Sirius Black, Mn” or “Cygnus Black Γ.”

Masculine Names

Constellations
  1. Apus is a southern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “without feet,” referring to the bird-of-paradise, which the Greeks believed to be footless. French: Oiseau de Paradis (m).
  2. Aquarius is a northern autumn constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “water bearer.” French: Verseau (m).
  3. Aries is a northern autumn constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “ram.” French: Bélier (m). Latin: Aries (m).
  4. Auriga is a northern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “charioteer.” French: Cocher.
  5. Boötes is a northern spring constellation. Derived from the Greek boṓtēs, “herdsman, plowman; lit. ox-driver.” French: Bouvier (m). Latin: Bootes (m).
  6. Cancer is a northern spring constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “crab.”
  7. Capricornus is a southern winter constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “goat horn” or “horned goat.” French: Capricorne (m).
  8. Centaurus is a southern autumn constellation. Derived from the Greek kéntauros, “centaur.” French: Centaure (m).
  9. Cepheus is a northern constellation, named after the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda. French: Céphée (m).
  10. Chamaeleon is a southern circumpolar constellation. Latin, meaning “chameleon.” French: Caméléon (m).
  11. Circinus is a southern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “a pair of compasses.” French: Compas (m).
  12. Corvus is a southern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “raven, crow.” French: Corbeau (m).
  13. Crater is a southern autumn constellation. Derived from the Greek kratḗr, “mixing bowl.” French: Coupe (f).
  14. Delphinus is a northern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “dolphin.” French: Dauphin (m).
  15. Draco is a northern circumpolar constellation. Derived from the Greek drákōn, “dragon, sharp-sighted.” French: Dragon (m).
  16. Equuleus is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “colt, foal.” French: Le Petit Cheval (m).
  17. Eridanus is a southern summer constellation. Derived from the Greek Ēridanós, a river. French: Éridan (m).
  18. Hercules is a northern summer constellation and a crater of the moon, named after the half-divine son of Zeus and Alcmene. French: Hercule (m).
  19. Hyperion is a moon of Saturn and a titan. Derived from the Greek hupér, “above,” and -ion, a suffix meaning “son of.” French: Hypérion (m).
  20. Indus is a southern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “Indian,” in reference to Native American or Amerind people. French: Indien (m).
  21. Jupiter is the fifth planet of the solar system, and the king of the Roman gods. Derived from the (speculative) Proto-Italic djous pater, “sky father.”
  22. Leo is a northern spring constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “lion.” There is also a northern spring constellation named Leo Minor. French: Lion (m) and Petit Lion (m).
  23. Lepus is a northern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “rabbit, hare.” French: Lièvre (m).
  24. Libra is a northern summer constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “scales, balance.” French: Balance (f).
  25. Monoceros is a northern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “unicorn.” French: Licorne (f).
  26. Octans is a southern circumpolar constellation. Latin, meaning “octant.” French: Octant (m).
  27. Ophiuchus is a southern summer constellation. Derived from the Greek ophioûkhos, “serpent-handler.” French: Ophiuchus (m). Latin: Anguifer (m), Ophiuchus (m), Serpentarius (m).
  28. Orion is a northern winter constellation, referring to the hunter Orion.
  29. Pavo is a southern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “peacock.” French: Paon (m).
  30. Pegasus is a southern spring constellation. Traditionally derived from the Greek pēgḗ, meaning “spring, fountain.” French: Pégase (m). Latin: Equus (m).
  31. Perseus is a northern autumn constellation, referring to the Greek hero who slew Medusa and saved Andromeda from Cetus. French: Persée (m).
  32. Pictor is a southern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “easel.” French: Peintre (m).
  33. Pisces is a northern autumn constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “fish.” French: Poissons (m). Constellations with similar names is the southern autumn constellation Piscis Austrinus, meaning “southern fish,” which is also called Pisces Australis and Pisces Notius. French: Poisson Austral (m). Latin: Pisces Maior (m), Piscis Aquosus (m).
  34. Sagittarius is a southern summer constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “archer.” French: Sagittaire (m).
  35. Scorpius is a southern winter constellation and (as “Scorpio”) astrological sign. Latin, meaning “scorpion.” French: Scorpion.
  36. Sculptor is a southern spring constellation. Originally Apparatus Sculptoris, Latin for “sculptor’s apparatus.” French: Sculpteur (m).
  37. Sextans is a northern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “sextant.” French: Sextant (m).
  38. Taurus is a northern winter constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “bull.” French: Taureau (m).
  39. Tucana is a southern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “toucan.”
  40. Volans is a southern circumpolar constellation. Originally Piscis Volans, Latin for “flying fish.” French: Poisson Volant.
Planets, Moons, and Asteroids
  1. Charon is a moon of Pluto and the ferryman of the underworld. Possibly derived from the Greek charopós, “of keen gaze.” Despite the morbid association, it may suggest a tolerant attitude toward Muggles because the moon was only discovered in 1978.
  2. Deimos is the outermost moon of Mars, and a son of the god Ares. Derived from the Greek deimós, “terror.”
  3. Enceladus is a moon of Saturn and one of the Gigantes. Derived from the Greek en, “in,” and kelados, “loud noise; loud clear voice.” French: Encelade (m).
  4. Ganymede is a moon of Jupiter, and the cupbearer of the god Zeus. Derived from the Greek Ganumedes, “meant to please.” French: Ganymède (f).
  5. Iapetus is a moon of Saturn and a titan. Derived from the Greek Iapetos, potentially meaning “piercer.” Also Japetus. French: Japet (m).
  6. Mars is the fourth planet of the solar system, and the Roman god of war.
  7. Mercury is the first planet of the solar system, and the messenger of the Roman gods. Derived from the Latin Mercurius, perhaps from merx, “merchandise.” French: Mercure (m).
  8. Mimas is a moon of Saturn and one of the Gigantes.
  9. Neptune is the eighth planet of the solar system and the god of the ocean and of earthquakes.
  10. Oberon is a moon of Uranus and the kind of the fairies in Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer-Night’s Dream. Derived from the Old French Alberon, from the German Alberich, “elf king.” French: Obéron (m).
  11. Phobos is the innermost moon of Mars, and a son of the god Ares. Derived from the Greek phóbos, “fear.”
  12. Pluto was the ninth planet of the solar system (in the 1990s) and also the Roman god of the underworld. French: Pluton (m).
  13. Saturn is the sixth planet of the solar system and the titan who reigned prior to and fathered Jupiter. French: Saturne (m).
  14. Titan is a moon of Saturn, named after the titans generally. Derived from the Greek titan, perhaps ultimately from tito, “sun, day,” or titaino, “to stretch, to extend,” or various other possibilities. The etymology is unclear.
  15. Triton is a moon of Neptune and the son of Poseidon. Related to the Greek treis, “three,” in reference to the god’s trident.
  16. Umbriel is a moon of Uranus and a sprite from Pope’s poem, The Rape of the Lock. Derived from the Latin umbra, “shadow.”
  17. Uranus is the seventh planet of the solar system and the father of the titans. Derived from the Greek ouranos, “sky, heaven.”
Stars
  1. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus, and the fourteenth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Arabic al Dabarān, “the follower.”
  2. Altair is the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila, and the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Arabic Al Nesr Al Tair, “the flying eagle.” In Western astrology, it portends danger from reptiles. French / Latin: Altair.
  3. Altarf is the brightest star in the constellation of Cancer. Also: Tarf. Derived from the Arabic Al Tarf, “end; edge.”
  4. Anser is the brightest star in the constellation of Vulpecula. Latin, derived from Vulpecula cum Ansere, “the little fox with the goose.”
  5. Antares is the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius, and the fifteenth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Greek antares, “opposed to Ares” (not Aries). In 1819, it was discovered to have a companion star, dubbed Antares B. French: Antarès (m). Latin: Antarēs (m).
  6. Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation of Boötes, and the fourth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Greek Arktouros, “guardian of the bear.” Described as “red” in various cultures, and occasionally considered the root from which “Arthur,” the name of the king, is derived.
  7. Arneb is the brightest star in the constellation of Lepus. Derived from the Arabic arnab, “hare.”
  8. Canopus is the brightest star in the constellation of Carina, and the second-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Greek Kanôbos, possibly in reference to a ship pilot of Greek myth or to the port of Canopus in Egypt, which may be derived from Kahi Nub, “Golden Earth.” Also called Soheil (m) or Soheila (f).
  9. Deneb Algedi is the brightest star in the constellation of Capricorn. Also: Scheddi. Derived from the Arabic ðanab al-jady, “tail of the goat.”
  10. Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation of Cygnus, and the nineteenth-brightest star in the night sky. Also: Arided, Aridif, Deneb Adige, Denebadigege, Os rosae, Rosemund, Uropygium. Derived from the Arabic dhanab al-dajājah, “tail of the hen,” or from ar-ridf, “the one sitting behind the rider.”
  11. Diphda is the brightest star in the constellation of Cetus. Also: Deneb Kaitos. Derived from the Arabic aḍ-ḍifdaʿ aṯ-ṯānī, “the second frog” (the “first” frog is Fomalhaut) or from al dhanab al kaiṭos al janūbīyy, “southern tail of Cetus.”
  12. Eltanin is the brightest star in the constellation of Draco. Derived from the Arabic at-tinnin, “the great serpent.”
  13. Enif is the brightest star in the constellation of Pegasus. Also: Fom al Feras, Os Equi. Derived from the Arabic enif, “nose.”
  14. Fomalhaut is the brightest star in the constellation of Piscis Austrinus, and the eighteenth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Arabic fam al-ḥūt, “mouth of the whale.”
  15. Gienah is the brightest star in the constellation of Corvus. Derived from the Arabic al-janāħ al-ghirāb al-yaman, “the right wing of the crow.”
  16. Hadar is the 2nd-brightest star (system) in the constellation of Centaurus, and the eleventh-brightest star in the night sky. Also: Agena. Derived from the Arabic huddar, “to be present” or “settled, civilized area.”
  17. Hamal is the brightest star in the constellation of Aries. Derived from the Arabic rās al-ħamal, “head of the ram.” Derived from the Arabic rās al-ħamal, “head of the ram.”
  18. Kaus Australis is the brightest star in the constellation of Sagittarius. Derived from the Arabic qaws, “bow,” and Latin australis, “southern.”
  19. Kitalpha is the brightest star in the constellation of Equuleus. Also: Kitel Phard, Kitalphar. Derived from the Arabic qiṭ‘a(t) al-faras, “a piece of the horse.”
  20. Kornephoros is the brightest star in the constellation of Hercules. Also: Rutilicus. Greek, meaning “club bearer.”
  21. Mirfak is the brightest star in the constellation of Perseus. Also: Algenib. Derived from the Arabic mirfaq al-thurayya, “elbow.”
  22. Naos is the brightest star in the constellation of Puppis. Also: Suhail Hadar. Greek, meaning “ship.”
  23. Peacock is the brightest star in the constellation of Pavo. Assigned in the late 1930s, so probably not on a Pure-blood bigot’s radar.
  24. Pollux is the brightest star in the constellation of Pollux, and the seventeenth-brightest star in the night sky. Also: Betagem (from β Geminorum).
  25. Procyon is the brightest star in the constellation of Canis Minor, and the eighth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Greek Prokyon, “before the dog,” because it travels ahead of Sirius, the Dog Star.
  26. Rasalhague is the brightest star in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Derived from the Arabic ra’s ḥawwāʼ, “the head of the serpent collector.
  27. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation of Leo. Latin, meaning “prince, little king.”
  28. Rigil Kentaurus is, together with Toliman, the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus and the third-brightest star in the night sky. The name may be abbreviated to “Rigil Kent” or “Rigil,” which may be confused with the star “Rigel.” Derived from the Arabic Rijl al-Qinṭūrus, “foot of the Centaur.”
  29. Rotanev is the brightest star in the constellation of Delphinus. Also: Sualocin. Derived from Nicolaus Venator (backward), the Latinized form of Niccolò Cacciatore, the assistant to Giuseppe Piazzi, who published a star catalog with these names attached to Alpha and Beta Delphini.
  30. Sadalsuud is the brightest star in the constellation of Aquarius. Derived from sa‘d al-su‘ūd, “luck of lucks.”
  31. Schedar is the brightest star in the constellation of Cassiopeiae. Also: Dath Elkarti, Schedir, Seder, Shadar, Shedar, Sheder, Shedis, and Shedir. Derived from the Arabic şadr, “breast” (or from Al Dhāt al Kursiyy, “the lady in the chair”).
  32. Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and a star in the constellation Canis Major. Derived from the Greek Seirios, “glowing, scorcher,” and associated with the Nile flood and the hot days of summer.
  33. Suhail al Muhlif is the brightest star in the constellation of Vela. Also: Regor, but this stems from a joke in the late 20th century. Derived from the Arabic al muhlif, “the oath-taker,” and al suhail, “the plain.” “Suhail” is a perfectly valid name on its own, also.
  34. Toliman is, together with Rigil Kentaurus, the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus and the third-brightest star in the night sky. It was not distinguished from Rigil Kentaurus until 1689. Derived from the Arabic aṭ-Ṭhalīmān, “(two male) ostriches.”

Feminine Names

Constellations
  1. Ariel is a moon of Uranus and a sylph from Pope’s poem, The Rape of the Lock.
  2. Aurora is an asteroid and the Roman goddess of the dawn. French: Aurore (f).
  3. Callisto is a moon of Jupiter, and a nymph of the goddess Artemis. Derived from the Greek kállos, “beauty, nobility.”
  4. Camelopardalis is a northern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “giraffe.” May also be rendered as Camelopardalus or Camelopardus. French: Girafe (f).
  5. Carina is a southern summer constellation, referring to the keel of a ship. Until 1763 it was part of the constellation Argo Navis. French: Carène (f).
  6. Cassiopeia is a northern autumn constellation, named after the wife of Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda. French: Cassiopée (f).
  7. Columba is a northern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “dove, pigeon.” French: Colombe (f).
  8. Coma Berenices is a northern summer constellation, originally referring to the tuft of hair at the end of the constellation Leo’s tail, but later named after the hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt, from the Latin coma, “hair of the head.” French: Chevelure de Bérénice (f).
  9. Corona Australis is a southern summer constellation. Also called Corona Austrina. Latin, meaning “southern crown.” French: Couronne Australe (f). It has a counterpart in the northern summer constellation Corona Borealis. Latin, meaning “northern crown.” French: Couronne Boréale (f).
  10. Crux is a winter constellation. Latin, meaning “cross.” French: Croix du Sud (f).
  11. Dorado is a southern winter constellation. Derived from the Italian dorato, “gilded, golden,” and said to resemble a goldfish or swordfish. French: Dourade (f).
  12. Fornax is a southern winter constellation. Originally Fornax Chemica; Latin, meaning “chemical furnace.” French: Forneau (m).
  13. Grus is a southern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “crane.” French: Grue (f).
  14. Lacerta is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “lizard.” French: Lézard (m).
  15. Lyra is a northern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “lyre.” French: Lyre (f).
  16. Mensa is a southern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “table,” originally in reference to Table Mountain. Also called Montagne de la Table and Mons Mensae. French: Table (f).
  17. Musca is a southern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “fly.” French: Mouche (f).
  18. Norma is a southern spring constellation, referring to a carpenter’s square. French: Règle (f).
  19. Phoenix is a southern spring constellation, referring to the phoenix. French: Phénix (m).
  20. Puppis is a northern winter constellation, referring to the stern of a ship. Until 1763 it was part of the constellation Argo Navis. French: Poupe (f).
  21. Pyxis is a southern spring constellation. Originally Pyxis Nautica, meaning “nautical compass” in Latin. Associated with, but never considered a part of, the defunct constellation Argo Navis. French: Boussole (f).
  22. Sagitta is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “arrow.” French: Fléche (f).
  23. Vela is a northern spring constellation, referring to the sails of a ship. Until 1763 it was part of the constellation Argo Navis. The plural form is Velum or Vellum. French: Voiles (m, plural).
  24. Virgo is a northern spring constellation and astrological sign. Latin, meaning “maiden, virgin.” French: Vierge (f).
  25. Vulpecula is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “little fox.” French: Petit Renard (m).
Planets, Moons, and Asteroids
  1. Alauda is an asteroid, named after the lark, a type of bird.
  2. Aletheia is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of truth. French: Aléthée (f).
  3. Amalthea is a moon of Jupiter and the foster mother of Zeus. French: Amalthée (f).
  4. Amphitrite is an asteroid and a Greek goddess of the sea.
  5. Ariel is a moon of Uranus and a sylph from Pope’s poem, The Rape of the Lock.
  6. Aurora is an asteroid and the Roman goddess of the dawn. French: Aurore (f).
  7. Callisto is a moon of Jupiter, and a nymph of the goddess Artemis. Derived from the Greek kállos, “beauty, nobility.”
  8. Camilla is an asteroid and a queen in Roman myth. French: Camille (f).
  9. Ceres is an asteroid or dwarf planet between Mars and Jupiter, and the Roman goddess of agriculture. French: Cérès (f).
  10. Cybele is an asteroid and the Phrygian goddess of the earth. Originally named Maximiliana, in reference to the Bavarian king Maximilian II. French: Cybèle (f).
  11. Daphne is an asteroid and a Greek nymph. French: Daphné (f).
  12. Davida is an asteroid, named in reference to David Peck Todd, a Muggle astronomy professor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  13. Dione is a moon of Saturn, an asteroid discovered in 1868, and a titan. French: Dioné (f).
  14. Diotima is an asteroid and one of the teachers of Socrates. French: Diotime (f).
  15. Doris is an asteroid and a nymph in Greek myth.
  16. Egeria is an asteroid and a nymph in Roman myth. French: Égérie (f).
  17. Elara is a moon of Jupiter and a consort of Zeus. French: Élara (f).
  18. Elektra is an asteroid and a character in Greek myth. French: Électre (f).
  19. Eleonora is an asteroid. A variant of Eleanor, possibly derived from alia Aenor, “the other Aenor,” to distinguish Eleanor of Aquitaine from her mother, Aenor de Châtellerault.
  20. Eugenia is an asteroid, named after Eugenia di Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III. French: Eugénie (f).
  21. Eunomia is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of good governance and springtime. French: Eunomie (f).
  22. Euphrosyne is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of joy and mirth.
  23. Europa is a moon of Jupiter, an asteroid, and a Phoenician princess abducted to Crete by Zeus. The name’s etymology is unclear, but may be derived from the Greek eurusops, “wide face” or “broad eye.”
  24. Fortuna is an asteroid and the Roman goddess of fate and luck.
  25. Hebe is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of youth. French: Hébé (f).
  26. Herculina is an asteroid, probably named in reference to Hercules.
  27. Hermione is an asteroid and the daughter of Helen of Troy.
  28. Himalia is a moon of Jupiter and a consort of Zeus.
  29. Hygiea is an asteroid and a Greek goddess of health and sanitation. French: Hygie (f).
  30. Interamnia is an asteroid and the Latin name for the city of Teramo, Italy.
  31. Io is a moon of Jupiter, and a lover of the god Zeus. The name’s etymology is unclear.
  32. Iris is an asteroid and an attendant to and messenger of the gods.
  33. Juno is an asteroid and the Roman goddess of love and marriage. French: Junon (f).
  34. Nemesis is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of retribution. French: Némésis (f).
  35. Pallas is an asteroid, an epithet of Athena, and a friend of Athena.
  36. Pasiphae is a moon of Jupiter and a queen of Crete, who was the daughter of Helios and the mother of the Minotaur. French: Pasiphaé (f).
  37. Phoebe is a moon of Saturn and a titan. French: Phœbé (f).
  38. Psyche is an asteroid and a consort of Eros. Derived from the Greek psukhḗ, “soul, spirit.” French: Psyché (f).
  39. Rhea is a moon of Saturn, an asteroid discovered in 1905, and a titan. Also a kind of bird. Greek, of unclear meaning. French: Rhéa (f).
  40. Sinope is a moon of Jupiter and a daughter of Asopus. French: Sinopé (f).
  41. Sylvia is an asteroid and the mother of Remus and Romulus.
  42. Tethys is a moon of Saturn and a titan. French: Téthys (f).
  43. Themis is an asteroid and the Greek goddess of natural law and divine order. French: Thémis (f).
  44. Thisbe is an asteroid and a character from Greek myth. French: Thisbé (f).
  45. Titania is a moon of Uranus and the queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer-Night’s Dream. A feminine form of Titanius, from Titan.
  46. Ursula is an asteroid. The reference is unclear.
  47. Venus is the second planet of the solar system, and the Roman goddess of love and sexuality. Derived from the Latin venus, “loveliness.” French: Vénus.
  48. Vesta is an asteroid and the Roman goddess of home and hearth.
Stars
  1. Achernar is the brightest star in the constellation of Eridanus, and the ninth-brightest star in the night sky. Possibly derived from the Arabic ākhir an-nahr, “the end of the river.” The star has been gradually moving northward since ancient times.
  2. Acrux is the brightest star in the constellation of Crux, and the thirteenth-brightest star in the night sky. The name was only coined in the 19th century, derived from the label α Crucis, referring to its nature as the brightest star in Crux. French: Croix de Sud (f).
  3. Alderamin is the brightest star in the constellation of Cepheus. Derived from the Arabic al-dhirā‘ al-yamīn, “the right arm.”
  4. Alioth is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major. Derived from the Arabic alyat al-hamal, “the sheep’s fat tail.”
  5. Alnair is the brightest star in the constellation of Grus. Derived from the Arabic al-nayyir, “the bright one.”
  6. Alphard is the brightest star in the constellation of Hydra. Derived from the Arabic al-fard, “the solitary one.”
  7. Alpheratz is the brightest star in the constellation of Andromeda. Also: Alpherat, Sirrah. Derived from the Arabic surrat al-faras, "navel of the mare/horse."
  8. Alpherg is the brightest star in the constellation of Pisces. Derived from the Arabic al pherg, “the emptying.”
  9. Ankaa is the brightest star in the constellation of Phoenix. Also: Cymbae, Nair al Zaurak. Derived from the Arabic al-ʽanqāʼ, “the phoenix.”
  10. Atria is the brightest star in the constellation of Triangulum Australe. Derived from a contraction of α Trianguli Australis.
  11. Betelgeuse is the 2nd-brightest star in the constellation of, and the tenth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Arabic yad al-Jawzā’, “the hand of al-Jawza.” French: Bételgeuse (f). Latin: Betelgeuze (f).
  12. Capella is the brightest star in the constellation of Auriga, and the sixth-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from a Latin diminutive for “female goat,” with which it is extensively associated in European and Middle Eastern culture.
  13. Dalim is the brightest star in the constellation of Fornax. Derived from the Arabic al-ẓalīm, “ostrich.”
  14. Meridiana is the brightest star in the constellation of Corona Australis. Also: Alphecca, Alphekka, Alphekka Meridiana. Derived from the Arabic nayyir al-fakka, “the bright star of the broken ring of stars.”
  15. Mimosa is the 2nd-brightest star in the constellation of Crux, and the twentieth-brightest star in the night sky. Also: Becrux (from β Crucis). Latin, meaning “actor.”
  16. Phact is the brightest star in the constellation of Columba. Also: Phad, Phaet, Phakt. Derived from the Arabic fākhitah, “ring dove.”
  17. Praecipua is the brightest star in the constellation of Leo Minor.
  18. Spica is the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo, and the sixteenth-brightest star in the night sky. Also: Alarph, Arista, Azimech, Sumbalet (Sembalet, Sombalet, etc.). Latin, from spica virginis, “the virgin’s ear of grain.”
  19. Unukalhai is the brightest star in the constellation of Serpens. Derived from the Arabic ʽunuq al-ḥayyah, “the serpent’s neck.”
  20. Vega is the brightest star in the constellation of Lyra, and the fifth-brightest star in the night sky. It was the northern pole star 14,000 years ago and will be so again in 9,000 years. Derived from the Arabic wāqi', “falling” or “landing,” from the phrase an-nasr al-wāqi', “falling eagle.” French: Véga (f).
  21. Zubeneschamali is the brightest star in the constellation of Libra. Also: Kiffa Borealis, Lanx Borealis, Zuben Eschemali, Zuben el Chamali, Zubenesch, Zubenelg. Derived from the Arabic al-zubānā al-šamāliyy, “the northern claw.”

Unisex Names

Constellations
  1. Aquila is a northern summer constellation. The name is masculine in most languages, but feminine in the original Latin, in which it means “eagle.” French: Aigle (m).
  2. Caelum is a southern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “chisel,” but may be confused with caelum, “sky, heaven, atmosphere.” French: Burin (m).
  3. Canis refers to a pair of northern winter constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Latin, meaning “dog.” French: Grand Chien (m), Petit Chien (m). Latin: Canis Maior (f) and Canis Majoris (f), Canis Minor (f) and Canis Minoris (f). There is also the northern spring constellation Canes Venatici. Its name, meaning “hunting dogs,” is plural and a bit awkward for one person. French: Les Chiens de Chasse (m).
  4. Horologium is a southern winter constellation. Originally Horologium Oscillitorium; Latin, meaning “pendulum clock.” French: Horloge (f).
  5. Lynx is a northern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “lynx,” because it is so faint that one must have the keen-sighted eyes of a lynx (or perhaps a dragon) to see it. Either masculine or feminine in Latin, but solely masculine in French.
  6. Microscopium is a southern spring constellation. Latin, meaning “microscope.” French: Microscope (m).
  7. Reticulum is a southern summer constellation. Latin, meaning “reticle.” French: Réticule (m).
  8. Scutum is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “shield.” Originally Scutum Sobiescianum, “Sobieski’s Shield,” in reference to the Polish king Jan III Sobieski. French: Écu de Sobieski (m).
  9. Serpens is a northern summer constellation consisting of two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda. Latin, meaning “snake,” “snake head,” and “snake tail.” French: Serpent (f).
  10. Telescopium is a southern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “telescope.” French: Télescope (m).
  11. Triangulum is a northern autumn constellation. Latin, meaning “triangle.” French: le Triangle (m). It has a counterpart in the southern winter constellation Triangulum Australe. Latin, meaning “southern triangle.” French: Triangle Austral (m).
Stars
  1. Cor Caroli is the brightest star in the constellation of Canum Venaticorum. In Latin, means “Charles’s heart.” Unclear whether it refers to King Charles I or King Charles II.
  2. Labrum is the brightest star in the constellation of Crater. Latin, meaning “edge, lip.”
  3. Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor. Derived from the Latin stella polaris, “polar star.” French: Étoile Polaire (f).
  4. Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation of Orion, and the seventh-brightest star in the night sky. Derived from the Arabic Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā, “left leg (or foot) of Jauzah,” Jauzah being an Arabic name for the constellation of Orion, and considered to be a leg, foot, or toe in various other cultures.

Names with Masculine and Feminine Variants

Constellations
  1. Cetus is a southern spring constellation. The feminine form is Ceta. Latin, meaning “whale, large sea-beast, sea monster.” French: Baleine (f).
  2. Cygnus (m) is a northern summer constellation. The feminine form is Cygna. Latin, meaning “swan.” French: Cygne (m).
  3. Gemini (m) is a northern winter constellation and astrological sign. The feminine form, also plural, is Geminae. The singular masculine and feminine forms are Geminus and Gemina. Latin, meaning “twin.”
  4. Hydra (f) is a spring constellation, named after the mythical many-headed serpent, and also one of Pluto’s moons (discovered in 2005). The masculine form is Hydrus, which is also a southern winter constellation. Latin, meaning “water serpent.” French: Hydre (f) and Hydre Mâle (m).
  5. Lupus (m) is a southern summer constellation. The feminine form is Lupa. Latin, meaning “wolf.” French: Loup (m).
  6. Ursa (f) is (part of) the name of two northern circumpolar constellations: Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The masculine form is Ursus. Latin, meaning “bear.” French: Grande Ourse (f), Petite Ourse (f). Latin: Ursa Maior (f) and Ursa Majoris (f), Ursa Minor (f) and Ursa Minoris (f).
Planets, Moons, and Asteroids
  1. Hesperus (m) is Venus, observed as the evening star. The feminine form is Hespera (and Hesper, which, though not a valid form, brings to mind “Hester”). Derived from the Greek hésperos, “western.” French: Hespéros.