Names of all the Planets of the Solar System
This page shows the names of all the planets and also the names of the currently known moons.
It also lists the names and locations of each Planet and Satellite discoverer (if known)
and provides the meaning/derivation for each name.
The planets are in order of the date of discovery.
Planet and Satellite Names and DiscoverersMercury | Venus | Earth | Mars | Asteroids | Jupiter | Saturn | Uranus | Neptune | Dwarf Planets This page shows information about planetary bodies named by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN), and about bodies named by the IAU Committee on Small Body Nomenclature that have surface features named by the WGPSN. Mercury
Venus
The Earth and its Moon
Mars and its MoonsThe names of the moons of Mars and the English translations of the names were specifically proposed by their discoverer, Asaph Hall, and as such, they have been accepted and retained under the current IAU nomenclature.
Selected Asteroids (of the Main Belt) and their Satellites
Jupiter and its MoonsSatellites in the Jovian system are named for Zeus/Jupiter's lovers and descendants. Names of outer satellites with a prograde orbit generally end with the letter "a" (although an "o" ending has been reserved for some unusual cases), and names of satellites with a retrograde orbit end with an "e."
Saturn and its MoonsSatellites in the saturnian system are named for Greco-Roman titans, descendants of the titans, the Roman god of the beginning, and giants from Greco-Roman and other mythologies. Gallic, Inuit and Norse names identify three different orbit inclination groups, where inclinations are measured with respect to the ecliptic, not Saturn's equator or orbit. Retrograde satellites (those with an inclination of 90 to 180 degrees) are named for Norse giants (except for Phoebe, which was discovered long ago and is the largest). Prograde satellites with an orbit inclination of around 36 degrees are named for Gallic giants, and prograde satellites with an inclination of around 48 degrees are named for Inuit giants and spirits. Note: 20 new moons discovered in 2019 and we are awaiting the official names to be selected before updating the table below.
Uranus and its MoonsSatellites in the uranian system are named for characters from Shakespeare's plays and from Pope's "Rape of the Lock."
Neptune and its MoonsSatellites in the neptunian system are named for characters from Greek or Roman mythology associated with Neptune or Poseidon or the oceans. Irregular satellites are named for the Nereids, the daughters of Nereus and Doris, and the attendants of Neptune.
Dwarf Planets and their MoonsCeres
Pluto and its MoonsSatellites in the plutonian system are named for characters and creatures in the myths surrounding Pluto (Greek Hades) and the classical Greek and Roman Underworld.
Haumea and its Moons
Eris and its Moons
Makemake
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All the information on this page is public domain and comes from the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature. "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature." (05/12/2018). http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/ The IAU Minor Planet Center maintains a list of minor planet names. IAU Resolutions 5 and 6, "Definition of a Planet in the Solar System" AND "Pluto" |