With so many names out there, why wouldn’t you want to give your child something that reminds them of the world around us? Celestial baby names have become quite popular again, as they’re often a bit more unique than the most common names, but can still be easily shortened to an easy-to-remember nickname.
If you’re hoping to make your little one shine, consider one of the names from this list.
Estella
This pretty name is an English translation of the Spanish word “estrella,” which means star. Estrella also comes from the Latin word for star—stella—which is also a great name for your little bump of joy.
Nova
Nova comes from the Latin word “novus,” meaning new, but also has a basis in astronomy. While we often know that novae mean a star is erupting before fading out, its sudden brightness in the night sky made it appear like a new star to astronomers.
Celeste
The name Celeste comes from Italy and France as a translation for the word “heavenly.” This name has seen a small resurgence in popularity, according to the Bump, ranking in the top 200 for girls born in the United States. https://www.thebump.com/b/celeste-baby-name
Leilah
The name Leilah is of Arabic origin, which translates to the words “night” or “dark-haired beauty.” The name first appeared in the 7th-century story of Layla and Manjun, which was a Romeo and Juliet-esque tale.
Andromeda
This Greek name translates to “leader of humankind” and refers to the beautiful daughter of the gods Cepheus and Cassiopeia. Her constellation, which is also found in the Andromeda Galaxy, is one of our few space neighbors we can see without a telescope.
Atlas
Also coming from Greece, the name Atlas means “to endure.” It most commonly refers to a Titan who was punished by Zeus to hold up the sky for eternity. The name also has its own star, which is located in the Taurus constellation.
Samson
This name is Hebrew in origin, coming from the word “shemesh,” which translates to “sun” or “sun child.” The name also has biblical origins within the Hebrew Bible, but is also a great choice to honor our galactic star.
Rowan
A more down-to-earth choice than some of the other names on this list, Rowan is an Irish name that means “little red one.” It relates to the rowan tree, a longstanding symbol of protection in Celtic culture. The name is also linked to the “tree of life,” which is often associated with magic.
Perseus
This Greek name, meaning “destroyer,” usually refers to the son of Zeus and Danae, who married Andromeda after saving her from a sea monster. It is also the name for a constellation in the northern hemisphere, which is home to the double cluster, Algol, and the Perseid meteor shower.
Eros
This Greek name is widely associated with the god of love and desire, but it is also the name of the first asteroid to be studied by a spacecraft. The asteroid was discovered in 1898, but wasn’t properly studied until 2001.
