750+ Planet Names: Best, Unique & Cool Ideas

Ever stared at a blank map and wondered what to call your world? A planet name sets the mood before you write a single line of story. Grab a snack, because this list is huge. 🪐

This guide gives you 750+ planet names for sci fi, fantasy, games, and school projects. You will learn how real worlds get named, a four step formula for making your own, and how to pick a name that fits your fictional universe. Ready to find yours?

How Real Planets Get Their Names: IAU Rules and Astronomical History

Every official celestial body name goes through the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The group started in 1919 and still approves names for planets, moons, and exoplanets. Its rules are simple: keep names short, easy to say, and not offensive. No brand names allowed.

Most exoplanets start with a dull code, like a star name plus a lowercase letter. In 2015, the IAU let the public vote on new names. The planet 51 Pegasi b became Dimidium, a Latin word for half, because its mass is about half of Jupiter’s.

How Our Solar System’s Planets Got Their Names

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune carry the names of Roman gods. Uranus comes from Ouranos, the Greek sky god. Earth is the odd one out, named from old Germanic and English words for ground.

Pluto got its name in 1930 from Venetia Burney, an 11 year old girl in England. Uranus almost became Georgium Sidus, because its discoverer, William Herschel, wanted to honor King George III.

The Phonosemantics of Planet Names: Why Certain Names Feel Alien

Phonosemantics is the idea that sounds carry feelings. Hard sounds like k, x, and z feel sharp and strange. Soft sounds like l, m, and n feel calm and warm. Say Krazzik, then say Mellowen, and you can feel the gap.

Scientists see a similar link in the bouba and kiki effect, where round shapes match soft sounds and spiky shapes match sharp ones. So a desert outlaw world gets a growl, and a peaceful garden world gets long, open vowels. Match name to mood first.

Planet Name Generator Formula

You do not need a magic machine. You need four small steps. Together they work as a planet name generator you can run in your own head.

Step 1: Determine the Planet’s Defining Trait

Start with one big feature. Is your world frozen, flooded, stormy, or packed with cities? Write one word for it. Say volcanoes rule your world, so your word is fire.

Step 2: Choose a Root

Turn that trait into a short root. Fire can become Pyr, Ign, or Kyr. Borrow from Latin, Greek, or Old Norse for flavor. Two or three letters leave plenty of room to build.

Step 3: Add a Planetary Suffix

Stick a suffix on the end. Popular picks are ia, ara, ion, on, us, is, heim, and mere. Kyr plus ion gives you Kyrion. Kyr plus heim gives you Kyrheim, a harder and colder cousin.

Step 4: Test Pronunciation and Distinctiveness

Say it five times fast. Ask a friend to read it cold from paper. If they stumble, cut a syllable. Also check that it does not look like another name in your story, because two planets starting with the same letter confuse readers quickly.

Best Planet Names

Start here for names that sound strong, smooth, and ready for any story.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Aurelia	Valoria	Zephyra	Solenne
Ardent	Cassiopeia	Elara	Veyron
Lumeris	Kaelith	Astoria	Novara
Seraphine	Orion	Terravia	Halcyon
Meridia	Evenor	Calypsa	Thessaly
Auralis	Corvane	Illyria	Vespera
Norvalis	Ostara

Best Planet Names with Meanings

A name with a story behind it feels richer. Drop these meanings straight into your worldbuilding notes.

Name	Meaning
Stellara	Star realm
Solmara	Sun and sea
Lunaris	Moonlit
Aetheon	Upper sky
Terranova	New land
Aquilon	North wind
Celestine	Heavenly
Vitalis	Full of life
Ignara	Fire born
Glacienne	Frost maiden
Verdantia	Green land
Noctara	Night realm
Aurorix	Dawn bringer
Siderea	Of the stars
Pacifica	Peaceful
Fortis	Strong
Lucidia	Clear light
Umbrel	Shadow veil
Cosmara	Ordered cosmos
Helion	Of the sun
Orbis	Circle
Ventura	Good fortune
Mirabel	Wonderful
Nimbus	Rain cloud
Zenara	Zenith inspired
Arcturia	Bear guardian

More Best Planet Names: Quick Reference

Need a few more fast? Scan this A to Z grid.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Alcyon	Brevalis	Caldera	Dorian
Eloria	Fenwick	Galdor	Havenor
Ixion	Jovara	Kestrel	Lorien
Mythra	Nerida	Orsolya	Peregrine
Quillon	Rivenna	Sorrel	Taliesin
Ulmara	Valdris	Wyndora	Xanthe
Yarrow	Zorina

Fictional & Made-Up Planet Names

Made up names give you full freedom. No rules, no real world baggage, just sounds that feel right for your fictional universe.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Zenthar	Quorvax	Drevanth	Krellion
Tavorin	Xylora	Morvane	Pellucid
Ravenmoor	Skarnis	Thundrel	Vexara
Yondria	Zarkoth	Brindle	Ombrix
Fyrnax	Glimmerhold	Hexalon	Isendor
Jaskarn	Kovalt	Lyrenne	Mordaine
Nythra	Opalith

Alien Planet Names

Alien names work best when they are odd to say but easy to remember. Lean on x, q, and z, and double up a vowel or consonant.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Zorgblix	Xenthos	Qlorp	Vzyra
Ulvoxx	Znaara	Yeqith	Orbulax
Phlenga	Gruvian	Xyphos	Zeeblon
Thrask	Nebulon	Vorlaxx	Quixal
Jhurn	Ekthara	Blorvia	Ixsilon
Wragle	Sylphax	Trazzak	Oomvu
Hyxlar	Veshkar

Fantasy Planet Names

Fantasy worlds love compound names. Mash two simple words together and you get a place that reads like a map from a fantasy novel.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Eldoria	Faerwyn	Glimmerdell	Hollowmere
Ironvale	Jadeheart	Kingsreach	Lothwyn
Mistralis	Nightbloom	Oakenshade	Pinewhisper
Quenmoor	Runehaven	Silverfen	Thornwick
Umberfall	Vinewood	Willowmere	Ashenmoor
Brightwater	Cinderhelm	Dragonspire	Emberfall
Frostmere	Goldenglen

Cool Planet Names

Cool names feel fast and sharp. Think tech, energy, and edge, like words painted on the side of a starship.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Vortexa	Chromion	Titanis	Neonyx
Quantara	Blitzar	Cipher	Riftwave
Eclipsar	Fluxen	Gravitas	Hyperion
Ionyx	Jetstar	Kinetix	Lasaria
Magnetar	Nexara	Onyxar	Pulsarion
Quasari	Radianta	Spectron	Tempest
Voltaris	Warpgate

Unique & Creative Planet Names

Want a name nobody else has? These mix everyday words, textures, and tastes into something fresh.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Amberlune	Boreale	Cindermoth	Dewlight
Emberglass	Fableton	Gossamera	Honeymere
Inkwell	Jubilune	Kaleidra	Lanternis
Marzipan	Nectaris	Opaline	Pebblora
Quillfeather	Riddlewood	Sundrop	Tidepool
Umbria	Velvetine	Whimsyl	Yonderly
Zinniar	Moonpetal

Mythology-Inspired Planet Names

Old myths hand you names with built in drama. This batch pulls from Celtic, Japanese, Slavic, and Mesopotamian stories.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Dagda	Morrigan	Lugh	Brigid
Danu	Cernunnos	Amaterasu	Tsukuyomi
Susanoo	Inari	Izanami	Perun
Veles	Svarog	Mokosh	Marduk
Ishtar	Tiamat	Enlil	Anu
Inanna	Nergal	Shamash	Nabu
Dumuzi	Belenus

Greek & Roman Mythology Planet Names

Greek and Roman gods named most of the planets we know. These picks come from gods and spirits that did not name a major planet.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Ares	Artemis	Athena	Apollo
Hermes	Poseidon	Hades	Demeter
Hera	Dionysus	Hestia	Persephone
Nyx	Janus	Vesta	Minerva
Juno	Ceres	Bellona	Fortuna
Aurora	Luna	Flora	Faunus
Pomona	Vertumnus

Norse Mythology Planet Names

Norse myth gives you gods, giants, and whole realms. It suits rugged, cold, or stormy worlds.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Odin	Thor	Freya	Frigg
Baldur	Loki	Tyr	Heimdall
Njord	Idun	Sif	Skadi
Ymir	Surtr	Vidar	Bragi
Fenrir	Jormungandr	Yggdrasil	Asgard
Midgard	Niflheim	Muspelheim	Vanaheim
Alfheim	Jotunheim

Egyptian Mythology Planet Names

Egyptian names feel ancient and sunbaked. Many come from gods of sky, sun, and the afterlife.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Ra	Osiris	Isis	Horus
Anubis	Thoth	Bastet	Sekhmet
Hathor	Seth	Nut	Geb
Shu	Tefnut	Ptah	Sobek
Khonsu	Amun	Aten	Maat
Neith	Nephthys	Apep	Khepri
Sopdet	Bennu

Hindu & Aztec Mythology Planet Names

The first fifteen come from Hindu astronomy and Vedic gods. The last eleven are Aztec.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Surya	Chandra	Indra	Varuna
Agni	Vayu	Kubera	Yama
Shani	Rahu	Ketu	Brihaspati
Budha	Shukra	Mangala	Tlaloc
Quetzalcoatl	Huitzilopochtli	Tezcatlipoca	Xochiquetzal
Coatlicue	Tonatiuh	Metztli	Xolotl
Chalchiuhtlicue	Mayahuel

Planet Names by Type

Surface and weather shape a name. Use the next sections to match sound to terrain.

Ocean World Names

Water worlds need names that flow. Soft l, r, and s sounds do the job.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Thalassa	Maridia	Aquarion	Tidalis
Pelagia	Brineheim	Coralyn	Nautilus
Deepmere	Kelpara	Abyssia	Wavecrest
Oceanis	Salinara	Currentia	Trenchara
Lagoona	Mareth	Naiadis	Riptide
Sirenia	Undine	Reefhaven	Neptunia
Atollis	Halcyra

Desert World Names

Dry worlds like short, scratchy sounds. Think dust, heat, and long shadows.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Dunerra	Sahelis	Mirageon	Scorchara
Arida	Sandreach	Khamsin	Duskara
Oasara	Salthaven	Caldrath	Dustmere
Ergoth	Sirocco	Tumbleton	Sunscar
Mesara	Badlandia	Parchara	Ochrea
Sundrift	Wadirah	Haboob	Amberdune
Cinnabar	Redmesa

Ice World Names

Cold worlds sound crisp. Hard c, k, and t sounds feel like cracking frost.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Glaciara	Frostholm	Nivalis	Cryonia
Tundrix	Hailmoor	Rimeheart	Boreas
Icicora	Snowveil	Permara	Whiteout
Sleetwind	Chillara	Polaris	Blizzara
Frigida	Hoarfrost	Crystalis	Iceheim
Winterhaven	Shiverreach	Coldmere	Snowdrift
Frostbite	Arctica

Volcanic / Fire World Names

Fire worlds roar. Use heavy vowels and rough endings.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Pyrrhos	Magmara	Cinderfall	Vulcanis
Ashgrave	Lavaheim	Emberon	Infernis
Obsidia	Scoria	Calderon	Moltenor
Brimstonia	Pyroclast	Sulfura	Flaregate
Smolder	Ignisar	Blazeheart	Charnok
Embrisa	Forgeheim	Ashenfell	Furnaxa
Tephra	Basaltis

Jungle / Forest World Names

Jungle worlds feel thick and alive. Pile on leafy, layered sounds.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Verdara	Canopia	Junglara	Mossheim
Fernhollow	Amazara	Lianara	Orchidia
Tanglewood	Bromelia	Foliar	Sylvania
Wildroot	Mangrovia	Understory	Greenhaven
Kapokara	Bamboora	Thicketon	Rootwell
Evergreena	Mistwood	Hollowbark	Pollenara
Lushara	Ivyreach

Gas Giant Names

Gas giants have no surface, so their names can feel big and airy. Go for wide, rolling sounds.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Gasparion	Cloudspire	Stormara	Tempestus
Ammonis	Swirlon	Bandara	Redeye
Nimbara	Windhaven	Hydrogea	Heliara
Cyclonis	Vaporon	Colossa	Titanara
Thunderhead	Skybound	Floatis	Bellowra
Massiva	Whorlax	Zephyron	Plasmara
Stratosia	Gyrus

Rogue Planet Names (Starless Wanderers)

A rogue planet drifts through space with no star to orbit. Give it a name that feels lonely and a little brave.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Wanderra	Driftara	Nomadis	Lonesome
Starless	Voidwalker	Exilon	Stray
Vagrant	Orphanis	Lostara	Darkdrift
Forsaken	Hermitus	Solitaire	Errant
Roamer	Nightwander	Unmoored	Outlier
Pariah	Interloper	Vagabond	Ghostdrift
Coldwander	Estranga

Ring Planet Names

Rings call for round, circling names. Think halo, loop, and crown.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Annulara	Halora	Ringheim	Circlet
Orbitra	Halonis	Diadema	Torusa
Gyrelle	Coronet	Aureole	Loopara
Wreathara	Cinctura	Garlanda	Armillia
Rimlight	Icering	Glimmerband	Sashara
Tiaran	Zonara	Carousela	Rondelle
Encirca	Lariat

Twin & Binary Planet Names

Two worlds locked in orbit around each other need names that sound like a pair. Try giving both the same root.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Gemina	Castor	Pollux	Duona
Dyadia	Twinara	Mirroris	Echora
Tandemar	Pairon	Dioscuria	Binara
Coorbit	Dualis	Doppelon	Sibyra
Kinshara	Alphara	Betara	Yinara
Yangor	Partnera	Twosome	Tethered
Bondara	Entwine

Moon Names

Real moons are a goldmine. These 26 come straight from our solar system.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Io	Europa	Ganymede	Callisto
Titan	Enceladus	Triton	Charon
Phobos	Deimos	Mimas	Iapetus
Dione	Tethys	Oberon	Titania
Miranda	Ariel	Umbriel	Nereid
Proteus	Amalthea	Himalia	Puck
Pallene	Thebe

Beautiful & Gleaming Planet Names

Pretty worlds shimmer in the name itself. Gems, light, and soft vowels do the heavy lifting.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Lustrine	Gleamara	Shimmeris	Radiantia
Opalescia	Silvara	Pearlis	Luminara
Glistenia	Sparkelle	Brillia	Crystaline
Dazzara	Moonstone	Starlace	Prismara
Gildara	Amethys	Iridessa	Sheenara
Glimora	Diamantis	Sapphira	Emeraldis
Rubellia	Topazia

Weird & Funny Planet Names

Sometimes your story needs a laugh. These silly names fit comedy, kids’ stories, and game night.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Plonk	Blobulon	Wibblewick	Snortle
Gloopa	Bumbleton	Flummox	Squelchia
Noodlia	Wobblor	Zonkers	Fizzbang
Gigglesnort	Boopsy	Pickleopolis	Snickerdoodle
Kerfuffle	Muffinton	Hullabaloo	Bamboozle
Skedaddle	Ploppington	Floofania	Jibberjabber
Doodlebug	Gobbledy

Cute Planet Names

Cute names are short, bouncy, and a little sweet. They fit kids’ books and cozy games. 🌸

Name	Name	Name	Name
Pip	Button	Cuddlestar	Dandelion
Pompom	Honeybun	Jellybean	Kittenmoon
Lollipop	Marshmallow	Nugget	Peaches
Puddles	Sprinkle	Teddy	Twinkle
Waffles	Wiggles	Sugarplum	Cottonwick
Blossomy	Bunnyhop	Cherubina	Toffee
Mochi	Bonbon

Dark & Ominous Planet Names

Villain home worlds need names that make readers shiver. Heavy sounds and gloomy words help.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Morbidia	Necros	Gloomhaven	Dreadmoor
Blackspire	Voidheart	Grimhold	Umbralis
Shadowmere	Dirgeon	Wraithfall	Nocturne
Malachar	Ravenhollow	Sablecrest	Tenebris
Hollowvoid	Doomhaven	Abaddon	Cryptara
Bleakwater	Duskhollow	Graveheim	Sorrowfen
Obscura	Nihilus

Famous Fictional Planets & What Makes Their Names Work

Famous worlds teach a lot. Short names with strong sounds stick. Treat these as study notes, not names to copy.

Planet	Why the Name Works
Tatooine	Harsh sounds fit a desert
Arrakis	Dry, hissing feel
Pandora	Myth of a opened box
Krypton	Sounds like a hard element
Gallifrey	Rolling, ancient feel
Hoth	Short and cold
Naboo	Soft, round sounds
Endor	Quiet forest hush
Coruscant	Sounds like a glittering city
Alderaan	Flowing, peaceful vowels
Kashyyyk	Fierce and wild
Mustafar	Hot, rough sounds
Magrathea	Grand and mythic
Trantor	Heavy and imperial
Solaris	Built on a sun root
Cybertron	Tech plus metal
Namek	Simple and odd
Caprica	Latin goat root
Vogsphere	Silly and bureaucratic
Caladan	Calm ocean vowels
Terminus	Means an ending point
Pern	Short and earthy
Barrayar	Hard, military sound
Gethen	Cold, soft ending
Kamino	Quiet rainy feel
Melmac	Playful and bouncy

Planet Names for D&D & RPGs

Tabletop players need names that are easy to say across a table. These suit campaign maps and game masters.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Aethermoor	Brightspire	Corvathia	Dunmarrow
Eldenreach	Falkenmoor	Galdoria	Highmarch
Ironcrag	Jadethorne	Kharvale	Lorewind
Mirthvale	Northreach	Oldwatch	Questhaven
Ravenscar	Stormhelm	Tarnmoor	Underdeep
Vaelmire	Wyrmrest	Xandoria	Zephyrhold
Dicehaven	Critmoor

Galaxy & Star System Names

Stars and galaxies often borrow from constellations. These 26 fit a star system, a cluster, or a whole spiral.

Name	Name	Name	Name
Draconis	Cygnara	Lyrexis	Pavonis
Hydrion	Centaura	Sagittara	Perseon
Auriga	Lacerta	Taurion	Lupara
Crateris	Scutum	Fornax	Pyxis
Tucana	Volantis	Antlia	Delphinus
Sextans	Caelum	Veilspiral	Nebulara
Halovane	Spiralis

How to Choose the Perfect Planet Name

Picking from 750 names feels like standing in front of a giant candy shelf. Make any name your own by swapping a letter, joining two names, or adding a suffix. These four tips narrow things fast.

Tip 1: Match the Name to the World’s Function in Your Story

Ask what the planet does. A trade hub needs a busy sound. A prison world needs a cold one. Decide the planet’s job first, then pick the sound.

Tip 2: Build a Consistent Naming System Across Your Universe

Give each region a sound pattern. Maybe northern worlds end in heim and sun worlds end in ia. Readers pick it up without being told. This builds a naming convention that feels real.

Tip 3: Consider How the Name Sounds in Dialogue

Read the name inside a sentence. “We land on Kyrion at dawn” works. Five syllable names tire readers out, so expect characters to shorten them. Plan a nickname before they do. 🚀

Tip 4: Don’t Over-Explain the Name

Skip the long lecture. If the name suggests ice, your reader will feel the cold on their own. Let the sound do the work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planet Names

How many planets are in our solar system?

Eight: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto is a dwarf planet.

Who gets to name a real planet?

The IAU approves official names. Discovery teams can suggest them, and the public sometimes votes in IAU contests.

Can I buy a planet or star name?

Companies sell them, but the IAU does not recognize them. They make fun gifts, but they are not official.

What makes a planet name sound alien?

Unusual letters like x and z, doubled sounds, and odd endings. The phonosemantics section above explains why.

How long should a planet name be?

Two to four syllables work best. Short names stick, and long ones get shortened anyway.

Can I use a real mythology name?

Yes. Myth names are free to use. Just check that the mood fits your story.

Conclusion

You just walked through IAU naming history, the sound tricks behind alien names, a four step formula, and more than 750 ideas for oceans, deserts, rings, moons, and beyond. You also got four tips for picking a name that fits your story.

Pick a favorite, say it out loud, and test it in a sentence. Mix a root with a suffix if nothing fits yet. Then tell us in the comments which planet name you chose and why. What about you?