starnames

Starnames are the conventional names given to certain stars, used to identify them beyond the formal catalog designations that astronomers rely on for precise work. While many stars are known only by catalog numbers or coordinates, a subset—often the brightest or most historically prominent—also carries a proper name that is familiar to the public and to scientists alike.

The practice of naming stars has deep historical roots. Ancient cultures assigned names to bright stars, and many of those names were transmitted through Greek, Latin, and Arabic astronomy. Arabic star lore, in particular, preserved and popularized many names that later entered Western charts. Over time, as astronomical catalogs expanded, these traditional names remained widely used in education, navigation, and culture, even as more systematic designations were developed for precision.

In modern times the International Astronomical Union (IAU) administers the naming process. The IAU, through its Working Group on Star Names (WGSN), catalogs and standardizes official star names to promote consistency across languages and publications. Not all stars have official names; many are referred to by Bayer designations, Flamsteed numbers, or catalog codes (for example HD or HIP numbers). The names that are officially recognized are typically those with long-standing usage or cultural significance. Examples of widely known starnames include Sirius, Canopus, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Vega, Altair, Aldebaran, and Fomalhaut, while the Sun is commonly called Sun or Sol in different contexts.

Starnames thus sit at the intersection of culture and science: they reflect historical terminology and public familiarity while the majority of stars remain identified primarily through precise catalog-based designations.