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Doesn't it seem like naming kids is more difficult now than in decades past? It has to be popular, but not too popular, unique but not too unique. Plus, you'll want it to sound right with your last name, and you can't really have a friend whose kid has the same name. It's tricky to pick is what I'm saying, and that's why you might want to consider looking to these baby names after stars to ignite your name search.
Whether you look to a constellation or a single star, turns out the billions and trillions of celestial bodies in the sky offer quite a lot of inspiration for naming your kid. You don't even have to be an astrologer (although you might inspire your kid to be one!) in order to name your child after a star. But you should probably at least bone up on what that name means before you write it on the birth certificate form in the hospital.
You're bound to get questions about whatever your name choice is, so just make sure you love it and are prepared to answer your Aunt Susan when she asks you to point it out in the night sky. Or you can just plug your coordinates into In the Sky, a website that allows you to find out exactly where a star can be seen based on your geographical location, and pretend you know exactly how to follow it. And then start working on that constellation-clad nursery.
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Rigel
A new twist on the name Nigel, Rigel would make for a unique boy name. Earth Sky explained the mythology behind the name: "According to some, Orwandil was traveling with his companion, the god Thor, when his big toe froze in an unfortunate river-crossing incident. Thor broke off the frozen digit and threw it into the sky, where it became the star we see as Rigel." Now that would make a great conversation starter for your kid for years to come.
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Lyra
If music runs in your family, Lyra might be just the name for your baby girl. Constellation Guide said the name "represents the lyre, a musical instrument with strings used in antiquity." While it might be hard to get your kid music lessons on it, it's a very pretty name nonetheless.
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Aries
While we know Aries as the ram in astrology, it turns out it doesn't register as that in all cultures. Space.com explained, "The Chinese see the constellation as twin inspectors, and it's a porpoise in the Marshall Islands." Who knew? Even if your baby doesn't have Aries as a zodiac sign, it's a strong, steadfast name for a baby.
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Cassiopeia
If you're pretty sure your daughter is going to be like royalty, go with Cassiopeia, which was named after Cassiopeia Queen of Greek Mythology, according to Constellation Guide. EarthSky gave directions for finding it: "Cassiopeia is very easy to pick out. It’s small and compact and looks like the letter M or W, depending on the time of night and time of year."
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Perseus
If you're expecting an August baby, consider naming your little one after Perseus, known for the annual Perseid meteor shower that happens in mid-August every year. Space.com explained that the meteor shower is "usually best viewed in the predawn hours." What a birthday celebration that could involve! You could even shorten Perseus to Percy if you wanted a sweet nickname.
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Andromeda
Cassiopeia's daughter, Andromeda, became a star just like her mother, so if you want another strong name rooted in Greek mythology, this might be the one for you. Andromeda means "advising like a man," so it's full of major girl power and strong feminist vibes. And you can't go wrong with that four-syllable sound.
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Regulus
Regulus is a darling boy's name that means prince, but it's also the traditional name of the brightest star in the sky. Reg is such a sweet nickname, but it also has some Harry Potter connections if you're into that kind of thing. (There's a definite theme here of JK Rowling using star names for her characters.)
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Cielo
A unisex name, Cielo is the Italian word for sky. It is short enough to be quirky and fun, but has such a sweet meaning that it feels extra special. And what could be more expansive and huge than the sky above you and your sweet little babe? Sky's the limit, after all.
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Alto
For another subtle nod to the sky and constellations, there's Alto. With its musical connections and its meaning of high, it's a sweet choice for a boy or a girl, and definitely changes things up when it comes to a list of star names. I can almost guarantee you'll only have one Alto in your kid's preschool class, too.
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Ara
Ara is a super sweet, fun, quirky name for your little girl. It's a southern constellation, and has ties to Greek mythology, too. With its Armenian origin, Nameberry noted that the name also means "king," which is truly a power move. I mean, how much more hardcore can your baby get with the name Ara?
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