Life
Outer space is a fascinating thing. After the past few chaotic years on Earth, outer space is also a really hopeful thing — aspirational, even. There's gotta be life on other planets, right? Jokes aside, the idea of giving your child a baby name inspired by space is simply cool. After all, a kid who's out of this world deserves a name that is, too.
If you like the idea of a space-themed name but don't want to name your child Jupiter, don't worry. (No offense if you do want to name your child that, though.) There are a ton of beautiful space names that you may not have heard before, but totally give that intergalactic, ethereal vibe you're looking for. This list is a nice mix of different outer space names, from the unique-but-not-too-unique to the "Wow, I've never heard that before, can you spell it?" Whether you're an amateur stargazer, junior astrologist (naming your baby after a star sign is big Cancer energy), or a NASA buff, there's something on this baby name list for you. At the very least, it'll challenge you to think far, far beyond the typical baby name lists and embrace the final frontier.
13
Andromeda
Why name your child after a star or a moon when you could name her after an entire galaxy? The Andromeda Galaxy is the Milky Way's closest neighbor, and it contains over one trillion stars. Also, the name lends itself to some pretty cute nicknames like Andy and Mimi. It’s out there, alright, but in the best way.
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Callisto
The second-largest moon of Jupiter would also work as a really fun, gender-neutral name. However, if you’re nerdy, you might recognize the name from X-Men, where Callisto was the mutant leader of the Morlocks. Yes, she was in one of the movies, but we’re not going to talk about that because I’m a fan of the comics and it could get ugly.
15
Ripley
Yeah, I get it. Alien isn’t real space, but I think it’s a perfectly valid space name. It can be used for any gender, and it’s extremely cute. Plus, Ellen Ripley was incredibly boss. She survived all of it, and never gave up. What a legacy to give to your kid.
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Leo
Leo is not only the name of a constellation, it’s also an astrological sign. They are vibrant, exciting, and full of life. It is also the Latin word for Lion, so your child is already the king of beasts before they even take their first steps. Beyond that, it’s just a really cute name, and sounds equally good for an adult.
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Mary
I love this name for a girl, and its connection to space — while not immediately apparent — is deeply meaningful. Mary Jackson was one of the amazing Black women who helped launch the space program. She was a champion for minorities at NASA, and an amazing engineer. A very, very worthy name for any child.
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Chandra
Chandra is actually the name of an X-Ray observatory. Launched from the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1999, this observatory is up there with Hubble in the level of importance of its discoveries. It actually captured the emission from a black hole on camera, leading to important new theories about what they are capable of.
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Draco
Draco is the name of a constellation in the far northern sky. It was named centuries ago after the Latin word for “dragon" because of its serpentine shape. As a name, you have to admit, Draco is pretty cool. It’s a little goth, a little fanciful, and I like it.
20
Camille
Ever wonder what a French astronomer would do if he not only studied the moon and stars, but also wrote weird novels? Let me introduce astronomer, author, and physical scientist, Camille Flammarion. The background is cool, but the name is a stunner. You could call your baby “Cami,” for short, which is just plain adorable.
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Mae
I can’t write a post about space names without including Mae. Mae Carol Jemison is an astronaut, a doctor, and an engineer. If that wasn’t impressive enough for you, she is also a fierce advocate for women’s and Black rights. The first Black woman in space, this is a name that should be on every baby name list out there.
22
Fang
Pronounced “Fahh-ng,” Fang Lizhi was not only a genius astrophysicist, but also a bold and brave political dissident who helped students coalesce in the uprising at Tiananmen Square. He was imprisoned by the Chinese government for “reeducation” after calling for an overhaul on how the educational system was run. He was exiled to the United States where he died in 2012, and is a true name full of courage.
23
Hawking
Is there any scientist name cooler than “Hawking?” No, I contend that there is not. Stephen Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and did more for string theory than just about anyone else. He had questions and hypotheses about the universe that most of us can’t begin to wrap our heads around, and it made the world a more interesting place. He wanted a theory to explain everything. What a thing. What a name.
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Mirabilis
Hang with me on this one. Yes, it’s the name of a flower, and a beautiful one at that, but the Annus Mirabilis (miraculous year) papers written by Albert Einstein in 1905, changed the way we all look at space and time forever. It set in motion what would be the work of a lifetime for Einstein. Also, Mira is a darned cute nickname.
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Rhea
Rhea is a moon of Saturn, but also a daughter of Uranus in Greek mythology. She was a titan and the mother of the gods. Yes, you’re going to have to overlook the fact that she married her brother who then proceeded to eat their children whole like so many chicken nuggets. But hey, it’s still a really pretty name.
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