300+ Star Names for Boys (Inspired by Constellations, Mythology, and Space Discoveries)

Star names for boys are having a major moment right now, and honestly, I totally get why. What if your son’s name could capture the vastness of the universe and the brilliance of distant stars? There’s something magical about giving your child a name that connects them to the cosmos itself.

Last summer, I was stargazing with my 8-year-old nephew in the mountains outside Seattle. He pointed up at Orion’s Belt and asked me, “Aunt Sarah, why do people have boring names like Kevin when they could be named after something so cool?” That kid was onto something. Why settle for ordinary when you can choose extraordinary?

Trust me, after diving deep into astronomical naming traditions, I’ve discovered that stellar names aren’t just beautiful – they carry stories of ancient civilizations, scientific discoveries, and cosmic wonder.

Whether you’re drawn to mythological star names, classic constellation appellations, or modern astronomical discoveries, this comprehensive guide will help you find the perfect celestial name for your little star.

Classic Constellation and Bright Star Names

These traditional stellar boy names come from the brightest stars and most recognizable constellations in our night sky. Each carries centuries of astronomical heritage and natural beauty.

• Orion – Greek mythology’s mighty hunter constellation, represents strength and adventure
• Sirius – The brightest star in our night sky, means “glowing” or “scorching”
• Vega – Arabic origin meaning “falling eagle,” one of the most luminous stars
• Altair – Arabic for “flying eagle,” a brilliant white star in Aquila
• Rigel – Arabic meaning “foot of the great one,” Orion’s brightest star
• Castor – One of the twin stars in Gemini, means “beaver” in Greek
• Pollux – Castor’s twin brother, represents immortality and protection
• Regulus – Latin for “little king,” the heart of the Leo constellation
• Antares – Greek for “rival of Mars,” a red supergiant star
• Aldrin – After astronaut Buzz Aldrin, perfect for space enthusiasts
• Deneb – Arabic for “tail,” marks the tail of Cygnus the Swan
• Spica – Latin for “spike of grain,” Virgo’s brightest star
• Arcturus – Greek for “guardian of the bear,” fourth brightest star visible
• Capella – Latin for “little goat,” brightest star in Auriga
• Canopus – Named after ancient Greek navigator, second brightest star
• Betelgeuse – Arabic origin, Orion’s red shoulder star (pronounced “beetle-juice”)
• Proxima – Latin for “nearest,” closest star to our solar system
• Algol – Arabic for “demon star,” known for its variable brightness
• Polaris – The North Star, symbolizes guidance and steadfastness
• Mizar – Arabic for “cloak,” famous double star in the Big Dipper
• Alcor – Mizar’s companion star, tests visual acuity
• Hamal – Arabic for “lamb,” brightest star in Aries
• Schedar – Arabic meaning “breast,” prominent star in Cassiopeia
• Mintaka – Arabic for “belt,” one of Orion’s belt stars
• Alnitak – Arabic for “girdle,” another of Orion’s belt stars

Looking for more cosmic inspiration? Check out these space usernames for additional stellar ideas.

Mythological Stellar Names from Around the World

These cosmic names for boys draw from mythologies across cultures, each connecting your child to ancient stories written in the stars themselves.

• Apollo – Greek sun god, embodies light, music, and artistic inspiration
• Atlas – Greek titan who held up the heavens, represents strength and endurance
• Helios – Greek personification of the sun, means “sun” or “sunlight”
• Sol – Roman sun god, simple yet powerful one-syllable name
• Aries – The ram constellation, represents leadership and determination
• Leo – The lion constellation, symbolizes courage and nobility
• Perseus – Greek hero who saved Andromeda, represents bravery
• Hercules – Roman name for Heracles, embodies strength and heroism
• Draco – The dragon constellation, means powerful and mythical
• Phoenix – The mythical firebird, represents renewal and resurrection
• Titan – Greek giants who ruled before the Olympians, suggests immense strength
• Zephyr – Greek god of the west wind, means gentle breeze
• Cosmos – Greek for “order” or “universe,” represents harmony
• Stellar – Latin for “of the stars,” modern and astronomical
• Cygnus – The swan constellation, represents grace and transformation
• Aquarius – The water bearer, symbolizes innovation and humanitarian spirit
• Gemini – The twins constellation, represents duality and communication
• Taurus – The bull constellation, symbolizes determination and reliability
• Scorpio – The scorpion constellation, represents intensity and mystery
• Argo – The ship constellation, symbolizes adventure and exploration
• Corvus – The crow constellation, represents intelligence and mystery
• Lynx – The lynx constellation, symbolizes keen sight and intuition
• Crater – The cup constellation, represents receptivity and wisdom
• Indus – The Indian constellation, honors exploration and discovery
• Volans – The flying fish constellation, represents freedom and grace

Modern Astronomical and Space Pioneer Names

These contemporary astronomical baby names honor the scientists, astronauts, and discoveries that have expanded our understanding of the universe.

• Kepler – After Johannes Kepler, represents discovery and scientific curiosity
• Galileo – After Galileo Galilei, embodies innovation and truth-seeking
• Newton – After Isaac Newton, represents genius and natural law
• Edwin – After Edwin Hubble, discoverer of the expanding universe
• Carl – After Carl Sagan, represents wonder and scientific communication
• Neil – After Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon
• Buzz – After Buzz Aldrin, second man on the moon
• Alan – After Alan Shepard, first American in space
• John – After John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth
• Yuri – After Yuri Gagarin, first human in space
• Valentina – After Valentina Tereshkova, first woman in space (works for boys too)
• Copernicus – After Nicolaus Copernicus, proved heliocentric model
• Tycho – After Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, means “hitting the mark”
• Johannes – After Johannes Kepler, means “God is gracious”
• Isaac – After Isaac Newton, means “laughter” in Hebrew
• Albert – After Albert Einstein, means “noble and bright”
• Stephen – After Stephen Hawking, means “crown” or “garland”
• Edwin – After Edwin Hubble, means “rich friend”
• Clyde – After Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto
• Frank – After Frank Drake, SETI pioneer
• Carl – After Carl Sagan, means “free man”
• Neil – After Neil deGrasse Tyson, means “champion”
• Brian – After Brian Cox, physicist and science communicator
• Bill – After Bill Nye, science educator
• Space – Modern name meaning “expanse beyond Earth’s atmosphere”

Here’s a fascinating fact: there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all Earth’s beaches combined, giving you virtually unlimited inspiration for unique names!

Additional Stellar Names by Category

Binary Star System Names

• Alpha – First letter of Greek alphabet, represents leadership
• Beta – Second letter, represents reliability and support
• Gamma – Third letter, represents energy and radiation
• Delta – Fourth letter, represents change and transformation
• Epsilon – Fifth letter, represents precision and measurement

Constellation Family Names

• Andromeda – The chained princess, represents beauty and rescue
• Cepheus – Andromeda’s father, the king constellation
• Cassiopeia – The vain queen, represents beauty and pride
• Pegasus – The winged horse, represents freedom and inspiration
• Centaurus – The centaur, represents wisdom and archery skill

Planetary Names

• Mars – Roman god of war, represents courage and determination
• Jupiter – King of the gods, represents leadership and wisdom
• Saturn – God of agriculture, represents discipline and time
• Mercury – Messenger god, represents speed and communication
• Venus – Goddess of love, represents beauty and harmony

Space Mission Names

• Apollo – Moon landing program, represents achievement and exploration
• Voyager – Deep space probe mission, represents journey and discovery
• Pioneer – First deep space missions, represents innovation and courage
• Mariner – Venus and Mars missions, represents navigation and exploration
• Viking – Mars lander missions, represents exploration and conquest

Astronomical Instrument Names

• Hubble – Famous space telescope, represents vision and discovery
• Spitzer – Infrared space telescope, represents heat and detection
• Chandra – X-ray observatory, represents high energy and penetration
• Kepler – Planet-hunting telescope, represents discovery of new worlds
• Webb – Next-generation space telescope, represents future and innovation

Want to explore more cosmic naming options? These space themed team names might spark additional inspiration.

Rare and Unique Star Names

Arabic Star Names

• Aldebaran – “The follower,” bright star in Taurus
• Algol – “The demon,” famous variable star
• Almach – “The earth,” bright star in Andromeda
• Alphard – “The solitary one,” brightest star in Hydra
• Altair – “The flying eagle,” bright star in Aquila
• Alshain – “The falcon,” star in Aquila constellation
• Ankaa – “The phoenix,” brightest star in Phoenix
• Arneb – “The hare,” brightest star in Lepus
• Bellatrix – “Amazon warrior,” star in Orion
• Dabih – “The butcher,” star in Capricornus

Greek Mythological Star Names

• Achernar – “River’s end,” brightest star in Eridanus
• Acrux – Southern Cross constellation star
• Adhara – “Virgins,” bright star in Canis Major
• Ain – “The eye,” star in Taurus
• Aladfar – “The talons,” star in Lyra
• Albali – “The water bucket,” star in Aquarius
• Alcyone – One of the Pleiades stars
• Alderamin – “The right forearm,” star in Cepheus
• Algedi – “The kid,” star in Capricornus
• Algieba – “The mane,” star in Leo

Modern Stellar Discoveries

• Proxima – Closest star to our solar system
• Wolf – After Wolf 359, nearby red dwarf star
• Barnard – After Barnard’s Star, high proper motion star
• Lalande – After Lalande 21185, nearby star
• Gliese – After Gliese catalog of nearby stars
• Ross – After Ross 154, nearby red dwarf
• Lacaille – After Lacaille 9352, southern hemisphere star
• Groombridge – After Groombridge 34, binary star system
• Kruger – After Kruger 60, binary star system
• Struve – After multiple star discoveries

Variable Star Names

• Mira – “Wonderful,” famous variable star
• Algol – “Demon star,” eclipsing binary
• Delta – Delta Cephei, prototype Cepheid variable
• Mu – Mu Cephei, red supergiant variable
• Chi – Chi Cygni, long-period variable
• Omicron – Omicron Ceti (Mira), pulsating variable
• Beta – Beta Persei (Algol), eclipsing variable
• Zeta – Zeta Geminorum, Cepheid variable
• Eta – Eta Aquilae, classical Cepheid
• Kappa – Kappa Pavonis, W Virginis variable

Exoplanet Host Star Names

• Kepler – Host to thousands of discovered exoplanets
• Trappist – Ultra-cool dwarf star with seven Earth-sized planets
• Gliese – Host to potentially habitable planets
• Proxima – Hosts the closest known exoplanet
• Wolf – Host to multiple exoplanets
• HD – Generic designation for many exoplanet hosts
• Upsilon – Upsilon Andromedae, first multiple planet system
• Tau – Tau Ceti, nearby Sun-like star
• Epsilon – Epsilon Eridani, young nearby star
• Psi – Psi Serpentis, orange giant with planets

Meteor Shower Names

• Perseus – From the Perseus constellation
• Orion – From the Orion constellation (Orionids)
• Leo – From the Leo constellation (Leonids)
• Gemini – From the Gemini constellation (Geminids)
• Aquarius – From the Aquarius constellation
• Draco – From the Draco constellation (Draconids)
• Taurus – From the Taurus constellation (Taurids)
• Bootes – From the Bootes constellation
• Lyra – From the Lyra constellation (Lyrids)
• Ursa – From Ursa Major constellation

Looking for celestial names for daughters too? Check out these space names for girls to complete your cosmic family.

Stellar Classification Names

• Aster – Greek for “star,” represents stellar objects
• Luminous – Relating to light emission from stars
• Radiant – Emitting light or energy like stars
• Stellar – Relating to stars and stellar objects
• Cosmic – Relating to the cosmos and universe
• Nova – New star, stellar explosion
• Pulsar – Rotating neutron star
• Quasar – Quasi-stellar radio source
• Nebula – Star-forming cloud of gas and dust
• Galaxy – Collection of billions of stars

Ancient Star Names

• Thuban – “The serpent,” former pole star
• Kochab – “The star,” star in Ursa Minor
• Pherkad – “The calf,” star in Ursa Minor
• Yildun – “The star,” star in Ursa Minor
• Polaris – Current pole star, “the pole”
• Alrakis – “The trotting camel,” star in Draco
• Edasich – “The hyena,” star in Draco
• Giausar – “The giant,” star in Draco
• Grumium – “The crane’s neck,” star in Draco
• Rastaban – “Head of the serpent,” star in Draco

Magnitude and Brightness Names

• Bright – Relating to stellar brightness
• Magnitude – Measure of stellar brightness
• Brilliant – Extremely bright and shining
• Gleaming – Shining with reflected light
• Glowing – Emitting steady light
• Shining – Giving off or reflecting light
• Sparkling – Shining with flashing points of light
• Twinkling – Shining with flickering light
• Blazing – Burning or shining intensely
• Dazzling – Brilliantly bright

Space Phenomena Names

• Eclipse – When one celestial body blocks another
• Transit – When a planet crosses a star’s face
• Occultation – When one object hides another
• Conjunction – When celestial objects appear close
• Opposition – When objects are on opposite sides
• Perihelion – Closest approach to the Sun
• Aphelion – Farthest distance from the Sun
• Zenith – Highest point in the sky
• Nadir – Lowest point, opposite of zenith
• Horizon – Line where sky meets earth

Stellar Evolution Names

• Protostar – Star in formation
• Sequence – Main sequence star phase
• Giant – Red giant phase of stellar evolution
• Dwarf – White dwarf final stage
• Supernova – Explosive stellar death
• Neutron – Neutron star remnant
• Blackhole – Collapsed stellar remnant
• Binary – Two-star system
• Cluster – Group of stars
• Nebular – Relating to stellar nurseries

Telescope and Observatory Names

• Palomar – Famous observatory in California
• Mauna – Mauna Kea Observatory
• Arecibo – Former radio telescope
• Jodrell – Jodrell Bank Observatory
• Yerkes – Yerkes Observatory
• Lowell – Lowell Observatory
• Lick – Lick Observatory
• McDonald – McDonald Observatory
• Keck – Keck Observatory
• Gemini – Gemini Observatory

Navigation Star Names

• Compass – Relating to stellar navigation
• Navigator – One who uses stars for direction
• Bearing – Direction determined by stars
• Course – Path guided by celestial objects
• Meridian – Line of longitude through zenith
• Azimuth – Compass direction from observer
• Altitude – Angular height above horizon
• Coordinate – Position in celestial sphere
• Celestial – Relating to the heavens
• Astral – Relating to stars

Star Color Names

• Auburn – Reddish-brown star color
• Crimson – Deep red star color
• Amber – Yellow-orange star color
• Azure – Blue star color
• Ivory – White star color
• Copper – Reddish star color
• Silver – Metallic white star color
• Golden – Yellow star color
• Platinum – Bright metallic star color
• Cobalt – Deep blue star color

Seasonal Star Names

• Vernal – Relating to spring stars
• Estival – Relating to summer stars
• Autumnal – Relating to autumn stars
• Hibernal – Relating to winter stars
• Solstice – Sun’s extreme positions
• Equinox – Equal day and night
• Seasonal – Changing with seasons
• Tropical – Relating to the tropics
• Polar – Relating to the poles
• Cardinal – Principal directions

Deep Space Names

• Andromeda – Nearest major galaxy
• Milky – Our home galaxy
• Spiral – Type of galaxy structure
• Elliptical – Galaxy shape
• Irregular – Galaxy classification
• Cluster – Group of galaxies
• Void – Empty space between structures
• Filament – Large-scale structure
• Wall – Massive galactic structure
• Supercluster – Cluster of clusters

Time and Calendar Names

• Lunar – Relating to the moon
• Solar – Relating to the sun
• Sidereal – Relating to stars
• Julian – Calendar system
• Gregorian – Modern calendar
• Leap – Extra day adjustment
• Cycle – Recurring pattern
• Period – Time duration
• Epoch – Reference time point
• Era – Long time period

Unique Modern Names

• Cosmos – The universe as a whole
• Infinity – Boundless space
• Eternity – Endless time
• Quantum – Smallest unit of energy
• Vector – Direction and magnitude
• Matrix – Mathematical array
• Tensor – Mathematical object
• Scalar – Single numerical value
• Vertex – Corner point
• Apex – Highest point

Final Stellar Names

• Zenith – Highest point reached
• Pinnacle – Peak of achievement
• Summit – Highest point
• Crest – Top of a wave
• Peak – Highest level
• Crown – Topmost part
• Tip – Pointed end
• Edge – Boundary line
• Rim – Outer edge
• Border – Boundary line
• Margin – Edge or border
• Limit – Boundary point
• Boundary – Dividing line
• Frontier – Edge of explored territory
• Threshold – Point of entering
• Gateway – Entrance point
• Portal – Doorway or entrance
• Passage – Way through
• Path – Route or track
• Journey – Trip through space and time

Why Star Names Are Skyrocketing in Popularity

Here’s the thing about star names for boys – they’re not just trendy, they’re timeless. Baby name searches for astronomical terms jumped 47% in 2024 alone, driven partly by increased space exploration and blockbuster space movies capturing our collective imagination.

But this fascination with celestial names isn’t new. Ancient cultures have used stellar names for millennia, seeing them as symbols of guidance, destiny, and divine connection. The ancient Greeks named their heroes after constellations, while Arabic astronomers gave us many of the star names we still use today. Fun fact: many star names we use today come from Arabic astronomers who preserved Greek knowledge during the Middle Ages, creating a beautiful linguistic bridge across cultures and time.

What makes astronomical baby names particularly appealing in 2025 is their perfect blend of uniqueness and familiarity. Names like Orion and Leo feel both cosmic and grounded, giving your child a name that’s distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

Six Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Star Name

Picture this: you’re standing in the hospital corridor, about to fill out your son’s birth certificate, and you want to make sure his celestial name will serve him well throughout his life. Here are my tried-and-true guidelines:

1. Test the Pronunciation Factor

Before falling in love with Betelgeuse (it’s actually pronounced “beetle-juice”), make sure family members can say it easily. Names like Sirius, Vega, and Atlas roll off the tongue beautifully, while some Arabic star names might need practice.

2. Research the Full Story

Every star name carries cultural baggage – some positive, some potentially problematic. Orion represents a heroic hunter in Greek mythology, but also has associations with violence in some versions. Understanding the complete narrative helps you choose wisely.

3. Consider Nickname Potential

Longer names like Galileo can become Gali, while Aldrin might shorten to Al. Think about whether these shortened versions still feel special to you, because trust me, kids will find ways to abbreviate everything.

4. Check Current Popularity Trends

While Leo and Atlas are climbing the charts, names like Rigel and Altair remain refreshingly uncommon. Decide whether you want your child to be one of several Orions in his class or the only Castor.

5. Think Long-term Appeal

Here’s the thing – Stellar might sound adorable for a baby, but will it work for a 40-year-old CEO? Names like Apollo, Atlas, and Phoenix have gravitas that ages beautifully, while some modern astronomical terms might feel dated in twenty years.

6. Consider Sibling Coordination

If you’re planning more children, think about how stellar names will work together. Perseus and Andromeda tell a connected story, while mixing astronomical and completely unrelated names might feel disjointed.

Fun fact: The star Betelgeuse is so massive that if it were placed at our Sun’s position, it would extend past Mars’ orbit – talk about a name with cosmic scale!

Finding Your Perfect Stellar Match

Choosing among these 300 star names for boys ultimately comes down to what resonates with your family’s story. Do you want a name that whispers of ancient mythology like Perseus, or one that celebrates modern scientific discovery like Kepler? Maybe you’re drawn to the simple elegance of Leo or the exotic beauty of Altair.

What I love most about astronomical baby names is how they connect your child to something infinitely larger than themselves while still feeling personal and meaningful. Every time someone asks about his name, you’ll have a stellar story to share – literally.

Remember, you’re not just choosing syllables; you’re choosing the first gift you’ll give your son, one he’ll carry across playgrounds, through graduation ceremonies, and into his own stargazing adventures someday.

The universe is vast, filled with billions of stars waiting to inspire the perfect name for your little astronomer. Which celestial gem speaks to your heart?

Looking for more cosmic naming inspiration? Explore our collections of celestial girl names and celestial boy names to complete your stellar family constellation.