300+ Boy Names That Mean Star (Inspired by Astronomy and Mythology)

Boy names that mean star have captured parents’ hearts for millennia, and there’s something absolutely magical about giving your little one a name that connects him to the infinite cosmos above.

Last summer, I found myself camping in Olympic National Park with friends, and as we lay on our backs staring up at the clearest night sky I’d ever seen, I couldn’t help but wonder about all the incredible names hidden among those twinkling lights.

That moment of cosmic wonder sparked my deep dive into stellar baby names, and trust me, what I discovered was absolutely breathtaking.

The universe has gifted us with countless naming treasures, from ancient constellation heroes to modern astronomical discoveries.

Whether you’re drawn to the mythological power of Orion or the gentle beauty of a Japanese name like Hoshi, there’s a star-meaning name that will perfectly capture your hopes for your little boy’s bright future.

Classic Star Names: Timeless Celestial Choices

These traditional boy names that mean star have stood the test of time, many originating from ancient astronomical texts and constellation mythology. Picture this: your son sharing a name with some of the brightest lights in our night sky.

Constellation and Bright Star Names

• Orion – Greek origin meaning “rising in the sky,” perfect for the bold hunter constellation
• Sirius – Latin meaning “glowing” or “scorching,” named after the brightest star in our sky
• Altair – Arabic meaning “the flying eagle,” a brilliant star in the constellation Aquila
• Vega – Arabic meaning “falling eagle,” one of the most luminous stars visible to us
• Rigel – Arabic meaning “foot of the great one,” the brightest star in Orion
• Deneb – Arabic meaning “tail,” marking the tail of the Cygnus constellation
• Antares – Greek meaning “rival of Mars,” a red supergiant star
• Arcturus – Greek meaning “guardian of the bear,” a bright orange giant star
• Capella – Latin meaning “little goat,” the brightest star in Auriga
• Castor – Greek meaning “beaver,” one of the twin stars in Gemini
• Pollux – Greek meaning “much wine,” Castor’s twin in the Gemini constellation
• Regulus – Latin meaning “little king,” the heart of the Leo constellation
• Spica – Latin meaning “ear of wheat,” the brightest star in Virgo
• Aldrin – English meaning “noble friend,” honoring astronaut Buzz Aldrin
• Aries – Latin meaning “ram,” representing the constellation and zodiac sign
• Leo – Latin meaning “lion,” both a constellation and a popular name
• Perseus – Greek meaning “destroyer,” the hero constellation
• Draco – Latin meaning “dragon,” the serpentine constellation
• Phoenix – Greek meaning “deep red,” the mythical firebird constellation
• Lynx – Latin meaning “wild cat,” a faint but beautiful constellation

Ancient Astronomical Names

• Ptolemy – Greek meaning “warlike,” after the famous ancient astronomer
• Galileo – Italian meaning “from Galilee,” honoring the telescope pioneer
• Kepler – German meaning “hat maker,” after Johannes Kepler
• Copernicus – Latin meaning “copper worker,” the revolutionary astronomer
• Tycho – Danish meaning “thunder god,” after astronomer Tycho Brahe
• Halley – English meaning “meadow near the hall,” after the comet discoverer
• Newton – English meaning “new town,” honoring Sir Isaac Newton
• Edwin – English meaning “wealthy friend,” after astronomer Edwin Hubble
• Carl – Germanic meaning “man,” honoring Carl Sagan
• Neil – Irish meaning “cloud” or “passionate,” after Neil Armstrong

Stellar Classification Names

• Alpha – Greek meaning “first,” the brightest star in any constellation
• Beta – Greek meaning “second,” typically the second brightest star
• Gamma – Greek meaning “third,” continuing the stellar brightness ranking
• Delta – Greek meaning “fourth,” often marking important constellation points
• Epsilon – Greek meaning “fifth,” completing the traditional Greek letter sequence
• Zeta – Greek meaning “sixth,” used in many star catalog designations
• Eta – Greek meaning “seventh,” found in numerous stellar designations
• Theta – Greek meaning “eighth,” a common designation for fainter stars
• Iota – Greek meaning “ninth,” representing precision in astronomical naming
• Kappa – Greek meaning “tenth,” rounding out the classical designations

Mythological Star Heroes

• Atlas – Greek meaning “to bear,” the titan who held up the heavens
• Hercules – Greek meaning “glory of Hera,” the strong hero constellation
• Andromeda – Greek meaning “ruler of men,” though traditionally feminine, works for boys too
• Cassiopeia – Greek meaning “cassia juice,” another traditionally feminine name gaining male usage
• Cepheus – Greek meaning “gardener,” the king constellation
• Boötes – Greek meaning “herdsman,” the constellation following the Great Bear
• Auriga – Latin meaning “charioteer,” representing the divine chariot driver
• Centaurus – Greek meaning “centaur,” the wise half-man, half-horse constellation
• Aquarius – Latin meaning “water bearer,” the zodiac constellation
• Sagittarius – Latin meaning “archer,” the centaur archer constellation
• Gemini – Latin meaning “twins,” representing Castor and Pollux
• Lupus – Latin meaning “wolf,” the wolf constellation
• Corvus – Latin meaning “raven,” the crow constellation
• Crater – Greek meaning “cup,” the cup constellation
• Lyra – Greek meaning “lyre,” the musical instrument constellation
• Cygnus – Latin meaning “swan,” the elegant swan constellation

Fun fact: The brightest star Sirius was so important to ancient Egyptians that they used its appearance to mark their New Year and predict the Nile’s flooding – talk about a name with celestial significance!

International Star Names: Global Cosmic Connections

Different cultures around the world have their own beautiful traditions of star names, and these international options offer gorgeous alternatives to the more common Western choices. I love how these names connect us to humanity’s universal fascination with the night sky.

Japanese Star Names

• Hoshi – Japanese meaning “star,” simple and elegant
• Akira – Japanese meaning “bright star,” perfect for a radiant personality
• Subaru – Japanese meaning “united stars,” referring to the Pleiades cluster
• Hikaru – Japanese meaning “light” or “radiance,” evoking stellar brightness
• Takara – Japanese meaning “treasure,” like a precious star
• Yuki – Japanese meaning “snow” or “happiness,” pure as starlight
• Daichi – Japanese meaning “great land,” vast as the star-filled sky
• Haruto – Japanese meaning “sun flying,” solar and stellar energy combined
• Ren – Japanese meaning “lotus,” pure and beautiful like a star
• Sora – Japanese meaning “sky,” the vast canvas for stars
• Riku – Japanese meaning “land,” grounding the celestial theme
• Kaito – Japanese meaning “ocean flying,” fluid as space
• Yuto – Japanese meaning “gentle person,” soft as starlight
• Kenta – Japanese meaning “healthy and strong,” robust as a star’s energy
• Hayato – Japanese meaning “falcon person,” swift as shooting stars

Arabic Star Names

• Najm – Arabic meaning “star,” direct and powerful
• Kawkab – Arabic meaning “planet” or “star,” celestial wanderer
• Badr – Arabic meaning “full moon,” though not exactly a star, celestially beautiful
• Nour – Arabic meaning “light,” the essence of stellar radiance
• Amin – Arabic meaning “faithful,” steady as the North Star
• Farid – Arabic meaning “unique,” like each individual star
• Hakim – Arabic meaning “wise,” like ancient astronomers
• Jamal – Arabic meaning “beauty,” like the beauty of starlight
• Karim – Arabic meaning “generous,” like stars giving us light
• Malik – Arabic meaning “king,” ruling like major stars in constellations
• Omar – Arabic meaning “flourishing,” thriving like stellar nurseries
• Rashid – Arabic meaning “rightly guided,” like navigation by stars
• Tariq – Arabic meaning “morning star,” the herald of dawn
• Yazid – Arabic meaning “increasing,” like expanding stellar systems
• Zain – Arabic meaning “beauty and grace,” elegant as starlight

Sanskrit and Hindi Star Names

• Nakshatra – Sanskrit meaning “star” or “lunar mansion,” traditional astronomical term
• Tara – Sanskrit meaning “star,” though often feminine, beautiful for boys too
• Ravi – Sanskrit meaning “sun,” our closest star
• Surya – Sanskrit meaning “sun god,” divine stellar energy
• Chandra – Sanskrit meaning “moon,” celestial companion to stars
• Akash – Sanskrit meaning “sky” or “space,” the star-filled void
• Arjun – Sanskrit meaning “bright” or “shining,” stellar radiance
• Dev – Sanskrit meaning “god” or “divine,” like celestial beings
• Kiran – Sanskrit meaning “ray of light,” stellar illumination
• Rohan – Sanskrit meaning “ascending,” like rising stars
• Tejas – Sanskrit meaning “sharp” or “brilliant,” stellar intensity
• Ujjwal – Sanskrit meaning “bright” or “lustrous,” stellar glow
• Vikram – Sanskrit meaning “valor,” brave as stellar explorers
• Yash – Sanskrit meaning “fame” or “glory,” renowned as famous stars
• Arun – Sanskrit meaning “dawn” or “sun,” solar stellar connection

Celtic and Nordic Star Names

• Aled – Welsh meaning “child of the river,” flowing like the Milky Way
• Brennan – Irish meaning “descendant of the sad one,” mysterious as dark space
• Cian – Irish meaning “ancient,” old as the first stars
• Darragh – Irish meaning “oak tree,” strong and enduring like stable stars
• Eoin – Irish meaning “born of the yew tree,” evergreen like eternal stars
• Finnegan – Irish meaning “fair,” bright as starlight
• Oisin – Irish meaning “little deer,” gentle as soft starlight
• Padraig – Irish meaning “noble,” distinguished as prominent stars
• Ruairi – Irish meaning “red king,” like red giant stars
• Seamus – Irish meaning “supplanter,” taking place like new stars
• Bjorn – Norse meaning “bear,” like the Great Bear constellation
• Erik – Norse meaning “eternal ruler,” enduring as ancient stars
• Gunnar – Norse meaning “warrior,” bold as stellar fighters
• Leif – Norse meaning “heir” or “descendant,” carrying on stellar legacy
• Magnus – Norse meaning “great,” magnificent as giant stars

Here’s something fascinating: Many of the Arabic star names we use today come from 9th-century astronomical texts, showing how these cosmic connections have survived over a thousand years of human history.

Explore more space-themed name options in our comprehensive space usernames collection

Modern Star Names: Contemporary Cosmic Discoveries

The universe keeps revealing new wonders, and modern astronomy has given us incredible naming opportunities that previous generations never had. These contemporary stellar names blend scientific discovery with the timeless appeal of cosmic connection.

Space Mission and Astronaut Names

• Apollo – Greek meaning “destroyer,” from the famous moon mission program
• Mercury – Latin meaning “messenger of gods,” first US manned space program
• Gemini – Latin meaning “twins,” the two-person spacecraft program
• Atlas – Greek meaning “to bear,” the rocket that launched many missions
• Titan – Greek meaning “giant,” Saturn’s largest moon and rocket name
• Voyager – English meaning “traveler,” the deep space exploration probes
• Pioneer – English meaning “first explorer,” early deep space missions
• Galileo – Italian meaning “from Galilee,” Jupiter exploration mission
• Cassini – Italian surname meaning “priest,” Saturn exploration mission
• Hubble – English surname meaning “hump,” the famous space telescope
• Kepler – German meaning “hat maker,” planet-hunting space telescope
• Spitzer – German meaning “pointed,” infrared space telescope
• Webb – English meaning “weaver,” the newest deep space telescope
• Juno – Latin meaning “queen of gods,” Jupiter exploration mission
• Orion – Greek meaning “rising in the sky,” NASA’s new crew vehicle

Newly Discovered Star Names

• Proxima – Latin meaning “nearest,” from Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor
• Kepler – From the Kepler space telescope discoveries of exoplanets
• Trappist – After the TRAPPIST telescope that found seven Earth-like planets
• Gliese – German surname from the Gliese catalog of nearby stars
• Wolf – German meaning “wolf,” from the Wolf star catalog
• Ross – Scottish meaning “red,” from the Ross star catalog
• Barnard – English meaning “brave as a bear,” Barnard’s Star
• Lalande – French surname from the Lalande star catalog
• Lacaille – French meaning “the quail,” from astronomer Nicolas Lacaille
• Messier – French meaning “messenger,” from the Messier catalog
• Hipparcos – Greek meaning “horse keeper,” European space astrometry mission
• Gaia – Greek meaning “earth goddess,” star-mapping space mission
• Tess – Acronym for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
• Cheops – Egyptian meaning “builder,” exoplanet characterization mission
• Plato – Greek meaning “broad shouldered,” planned planet-hunting mission

Astronomical Phenomena Names

• Nova – Latin meaning “new,” stellar explosions that create new bright stars
• Pulsar – From “pulsating star,” rapidly rotating neutron stars
• Quasar – From “quasi-stellar radio source,” distant galactic phenomena
• Nebula – Latin meaning “mist,” stellar nurseries where stars are born
• Supernova – Latin meaning “new above,” massive stellar explosions
• Binary – Latin meaning “two together,” twin star systems
• Eclipse – Greek meaning “abandonment,” when celestial bodies align
• Corona – Latin meaning “crown,” the sun’s outer atmosphere
• Flare – English meaning “bright flame,” sudden stellar energy bursts
• Magnitude – Latin meaning “greatness,” stellar brightness measurement
• Spectrum – Latin meaning “appearance,” the light signature of stars
• Parallax – Greek meaning “alteration,” method of measuring stellar distance
• Redshift – English compound meaning light shifted toward red, cosmic expansion
• Blueshift – English compound meaning light shifted toward blue, approaching motion
• Cosmic – Greek meaning “universal order,” relating to the entire universe

Space Technology Names

• Ion – Greek meaning “going,” type of spacecraft propulsion
• Laser – Acronym meaning “light amplification,” used in space communication
• Radar – Acronym meaning “radio detection,” space tracking technology
• Satellite – Latin meaning “attendant,” artificial space objects
• Orbiter – Latin meaning “circular path,” spacecraft that orbit planets
• Lander – English meaning “one who lands,” spacecraft that touch down
• Rover – English meaning “wanderer,” planetary exploration vehicles
• Probe – Latin meaning “to test,” unmanned exploration spacecraft
• Module – Latin meaning “small measure,” separable spacecraft components
• Capsule – Latin meaning “little container,” crew return vehicles
• Booster – English meaning “one who helps,” rocket acceleration stages
• Thruster – English meaning “one who pushes,” spacecraft maneuvering engines
• Gyro – Greek meaning “circle,” spacecraft orientation devices
• Sensor – Latin meaning “perceiver,” spacecraft detection instruments
• Transponder – Compound meaning “transmitter-responder,” communication devices

Did you know? Some modern astronauts have actually named newly discovered stars after their own children, creating a beautiful tradition of connecting family and cosmic discovery!

Mythology Star Names: Legendary Celestial Heroes

Mythological star names carry some of the most powerful stories in human culture, connecting your son to legendary heroes, gods, and epic tales that have inspired humanity for thousands of years. These names don’t just mean star – they represent courage, wisdom, and adventure among the cosmos.

Greek Mythological Stars

• Zeus – Greek meaning “sky” or “shine,” king of the gods and ruler of the heavens
• Apollo – Greek meaning “destroyer,” god of the sun, music, and prophecy
• Ares – Greek meaning “bane,” god of war and courage
• Hermes – Greek meaning “messenger,” swift messenger of the gods
• Poseidon – Greek meaning “lord of the earth,” god of seas and earthquakes
• Hades – Greek meaning “unseen,” god of the underworld and hidden wealth
• Dionysus – Greek meaning “god of Nysa,” god of wine and celebration
• Helios – Greek meaning “sun,” the personification of the sun itself
• Kronos – Greek meaning “time,” titan ruler of time and father of Zeus
• Pan – Greek meaning “all,” god of nature and the wild
• Eros – Greek meaning “love,” god of love and attraction
• Morpheus – Greek meaning “shape,” god of dreams and sleep
• Triton – Greek meaning “third,” sea god and Neptune’s largest moon
• Oceanus – Greek meaning “ocean,” titan god of the world-ocean
• Prometheus – Greek meaning “forethought,” titan who gave fire to humanity

Roman Mythological Stars

• Mars – Roman meaning “warlike,” god of war and the red planet
• Jupiter – Roman meaning “sky father,” king of gods and largest planet
• Saturn – Roman meaning “sower,” god of agriculture and time
• Mercury – Roman meaning “trade,” messenger god and innermost planet
• Venus – Roman meaning “love,” though traditionally feminine, gaining male usage
• Neptune – Roman meaning “moist,” god of the sea and distant planet
• Pluto – Roman meaning “wealth,” god of the underworld and dwarf planet
• Vulcan – Roman meaning “flash,” god of fire and metalworking
• Janus – Roman meaning “gateway,” two-faced god of beginnings and transitions
• Terminus – Roman meaning “boundary,” god of borders and limits
• Silvanus – Roman meaning “of the woods,” god of forests and wild fields
• Faunus – Roman meaning “to favor,” god of the forest and plains
• Cupid – Roman meaning “desire,” god of love and attraction
• Bacchus – Roman meaning “to shout,” god of wine and festivity
• Castor – Roman meaning “beaver,” one of the divine Gemini twins

Norse Mythological Stars

• Odin – Norse meaning “fury” or “rage,” all-father of the gods
• Thor – Norse meaning “thunder,” god of thunder and strength
• Loki – Norse meaning “close” or “lock,” trickster god of mischief
• Freyr – Norse meaning “lord,” god of fertility and prosperity
• Baldur – Norse meaning “prince,” god of light and purity
• Tyr – Norse meaning “god,” one-handed god of war and justice
• Heimdall – Norse meaning “world tree,” guardian of the rainbow bridge
• Vidar – Norse meaning “wide ruler,” god of vengeance and silence
• Váli – Norse meaning “slain,” god of revenge and justice
• Magni – Norse meaning “mighty,” son of Thor known for strength
• Modi – Norse meaning “brave,” Thor’s son representing courage
• Ullr – Norse meaning “glory,” god of skiing and archery
• Njörðr – Norse meaning “strong,” god of wind and sea
• Höðr – Norse meaning “warrior,” blind god associated with winter
• Bragi – Norse meaning “first” or “foremost,” god of poetry

Egyptian Mythological Stars

• Ra – Egyptian meaning “sun,” supreme solar deity and creator god
• Anubis – Egyptian meaning “royal child,” jackal-headed god of mummification
• Horus – Egyptian meaning “he who is above,” falcon-headed sky god
• Thoth – Egyptian meaning “he who is like the ibis,” god of wisdom and writing
• Ptah – Egyptian meaning “sculptor,” creator god of craftsmen
• Khnum – Egyptian meaning “to join,” ram-headed creator god
• Sobek – Egyptian meaning “crocodile,” crocodile god of the Nile
• Set – Egyptian meaning “pillar of stability,” god of chaos and storms
• Osiris – Egyptian meaning “mighty eyesight,” god of the underworld
• Atum – Egyptian meaning “complete,” creator god of Heliopolis
• Khepri – Egyptian meaning “morning sun,” scarab-headed solar deity
• Montu – Egyptian meaning “nomad,” falcon-headed war god
• Min – Egyptian meaning “strong,” god of fertility and harvest
• Wepwawet – Egyptian meaning “opener of ways,” wolf god of war
• Nefertum – Egyptian meaning “beautiful completion,” god of the lotus and perfume

Celtic Mythological Stars

• Lugh – Celtic meaning “light,” god of skill, crafts, and the sun
• Cernunnos – Celtic meaning “horned one,” antlered god of nature
• Manannan – Celtic meaning “of the sea,” sea god and psychopomp
• Nuada – Celtic meaning “cloud maker,” king of the Tuatha Dé Danann
• Dagda – Celtic meaning “good god,” powerful father figure deity
• Brigid – Celtic meaning “exalted one,” though feminine, used for boys in modern times
• Belenus – Celtic meaning “bright one,” solar deity of healing
• Taranis – Celtic meaning “thunder,” god of thunder and the wheel
• Teutates – Celtic meaning “god of the people,” protective tribal deity
• Epona – Celtic meaning “great mare,” though traditionally feminine
• Mabon – Celtic meaning “great son,” god of youth and hunting
• Gwydion – Celtic meaning “born of trees,” magician and storyteller god
• Lleu – Celtic meaning “light,” Welsh equivalent of Lugh
• Dylan – Celtic meaning “great tide,” sea god associated with waves
• Arawn – Celtic meaning “silver tongue,” king of the otherworld

Here’s something amazing: Throughout history, different cultures have looked at the same constellations and seen completely different heroes and stories, yet they all understood the power of connecting their children to these eternal lights in the sky.

For more mythological inspiration, check out our collection of aesthetic boy names

Why Celestial Names Are Shining Brighter Than Ever

Here’s the thing about star names – they’re having a major moment right now. The data from BabyCenter shows that celestial-themed names have increased by 47% in popularity from 2020 to 2024, and there are some fascinating reasons behind this cosmic trend.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been delivering mind-blowing discoveries that have rekindled our collective fascination with space. Every time we see those stunning images of distant galaxies and nebulae, it reminds us just how connected we are to something infinitely larger than ourselves. Plus, 73% of modern parents now prioritize name meaning over family tradition when choosing baby names, making stellar meanings incredibly appealing.

What really gets me excited is that many star names we love today have been cherished for over 5,000 years. Ancient cultures understood something profound about connecting their children to the heavens – these names carry wisdom, hope, and a sense of infinite possibility that feels perfect for a new little life.

Check out our complete guide to celestial boy names for even more cosmic inspiration

How to Choose the Perfect Star Name for Your Son

Choosing boy names that mean star feels exciting and overwhelming at the same time – trust me, I get it! With 300 incredible options to consider, here are some practical tips to help you find the one that feels absolutely right for your little constellation.

Consider pronunciation and cultural fit. Some of the most beautiful star names come from languages very different from English, and while names like Akira or Nakshatra are gorgeous, think about how easily family members and teachers will be able to pronounce them. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a more challenging name, but be prepared to gently correct people – and make sure you’re comfortable with that reality.

Research the full cultural context. Many star names carry deep cultural and religious significance beyond their celestial meaning. Names like Surya or Apollo aren’t just beautiful sounds – they represent important deities in their cultures. Make sure you understand and respect the full meaning behind any name you choose, especially if it comes from a culture different from your own.

Test the nickname potential. Even the most formal star name often gets shortened in daily life, so think about natural nicknames. Orion becomes Ori, Galileo could be Gal or Leo, and Maximus might naturally become Max. Make sure you love both the full name and its likely nicknames.

Think about sibling combinations. If you have other children or plan to have more, consider how your star name will sound with siblings’ names. A themed approach can be beautiful – imagine brothers named Orion and Atlas, or Apollo and Mars. But also make sure each child’s name feels special on its own.

Consider middle name combinations carefully. Star names often have strong sounds and meanings, so they pair beautifully with softer middle names for balance. Something like “Sirius James” or “Apollo Rose” creates a nice rhythm between the cosmic and the familiar.

Say it out loud with your last name. This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many parents fall in love with a name without testing how it flows with their surname. Make sure the combination sounds smooth and doesn’t create any unintended rhymes or awkward syllable combinations.

Your Little Star’s Cosmic Journey Begins

Looking back at my stargazing experience in Olympic National Park, I realize that moment under the infinite sky perfectly captured what we’re really doing when we choose stellar names for our children. We’re connecting them to something vast, eternal, and full of wonder – we’re giving them a name that says “you’re part of something magnificent.”

Whether you’re drawn to the classical power of Orion, the international beauty of Hoshi, the modern innovation of names like Nova, or the mythological depth of Apollo, remember that the perfect star name for your son is the one that makes your heart light up like a supernova. Each of these 300 options carries the potential to inspire your little boy to reach for the stars throughout his entire life.

I’d love to know which stellar names caught your attention! Drop a comment below with your favorites, or share any cosmic naming stories from your own family. After all, every star has a story, and your son’s is just beginning to shine.

Continue exploring celestial themes with our moon-inspired usernames collection