Planet Name Generator
Invented sci-fi planet names, or realistic exoplanet catalogue designations like the ones astronomers use.
About planet names
Planets in fiction get two kinds of names: the evocative ones people use (Arrakis, Tatooine) and the dry catalogue numbers scientists use. This generator can do either — invented names with a sci-fi ring, or designations that follow the real convention for exoplanets.
This generator is free and unlimited — click Generate as many times as you like for a fresh set of planet names every time. Nothing to install, no account, no catch.
How real planets are named
The planets of our solar system (other than Earth) are named after Roman gods. Exoplanets, planets around other stars, are named after their star: the first planet found around a star gets a lowercase b, the next c, and so on, in order of discovery — so Kepler-22 b is the first planet found around the star Kepler-22. The star part often comes from the telescope or survey that found it, like Kepler, TOI (TESS) or WASP. The International Astronomical Union occasionally runs public contests to give exoplanets proper names too.
Planet name patterns
| Catalogue style | Survey + number + letter: Kepler-22 b, TOI-700 d |
|---|---|
| Mythic | Named after gods or legends, like our own planets |
| Invented | Two or three syllables with a hard ending: Zorex, Tarus |
| Numbered | Prime, II, IV — implies a system with several worlds |
Naming planets in sci-fi
- Use both kinds of name. Scientists in your story might call a world GJ-1214 b while colonists call it something homely — the gap says a lot about the culture.
- Planet names that sound like a local language imply natives; names from the colonists' language imply settlers. Decide which story you're telling.
- Keep a star system's planets consistent: lettered in order of discovery, or named from one theme.
- Short names are easier to use in dialogue. Characters will say the planet's name constantly.
Frequently asked questions
How are exoplanets named?
Usually after their host star, followed by a lowercase letter. The first planet discovered around a star is b, the second c, and so on. Many star names come from the telescope or survey that found them, such as Kepler or TESS (TOI).
Can I use these planet names in a book or game?
Yes. The invented names are original combinations, and the catalogue-style designations are generated to look realistic. They aren't real, confirmed planets.
Why does the first exoplanet get the letter b and not a?
The letter a is understood to refer to the star itself, so its planets start at b.
How do I save the planet names I like?
Click any name to copy it, or use Copy all to grab the whole list. Press Generate again for a fresh set — your options stay selected, and nothing you type is sent anywhere: it all runs in your browser.