Names to add to your shortlist
Altair
Skyward and distinctive, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 16 births · #5,618Peak: 2024 · 26 births
Apollo
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 708 births · #445Peak: 2022 · 820 births
Castor
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 21 births · #4,734Peak: 2016 · 29 births
Cosmo
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 80 births · #1,934Peak: 2022 · 99 births
Elio
Skyward and distinctive, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 818 births · #388Peak: 2025 · 818 births
Galileo
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 25 births · #4,172Peak: 2022 · 44 births
Helios
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 58 births · #2,367Peak: 2025 · 58 births
Kepler
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 25 births · #4,195Peak: 2016 · 42 births
Mars
Skyward and distinctive, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 105 births · #1,615Peak: 2023 · 154 births
Oberon
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 17 births · #5,544Peak: 2021 · 37 births
Orion
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 1,012 births · #334Peak: 2018 · 1,152 births
Phoenix
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 1,027 births · #329Peak: 2020 · 1,534 births
Rigel
Skyward and distinctive, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 19 births · #5,158Peak: 2016 · 34 births
Sagan
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 17 births · #5,572Peak: 2018 · 63 births
Sirius
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 33 births · #3,500Peak: 2022 · 61 births
Sol
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 184 births · #1,151Peak: 1918 · 321 births
Solstice
Skyward and distinctive, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 8 births · #9,589Peak: 2022 · 10 births
Starling
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 13 births · #6,753Peak: 1920 · 26 births
Titan
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 151 births · #1,295Peak: 2017 · 421 births
Zenith
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 40 births · #3,087Peak: 2022 · 59 births
Zephyr
Skyward and distinctive, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: 169 births · #1,203Peak: 2022 · 195 births
Caelum
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 97 births · #1,690Peak: 2025 · 97 births
Cyrus
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 1,284 births · #268Peak: 2024 · 1,389 births
Aster
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it is a strong candidate to test beside your surname.
2025 U.S.: 43 births · #2,888Peak: 2024 · 46 births
Astro
Skyward and distinctive, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 55 births · #2,453Peak: 2023 · 73 births
Sky
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it stands apart without asking for a creative spelling.
2025 U.S.: 101 births · #1,661Peak: 2014 · 124 births
Vesper
Bold enough for a celestial shortlist, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 8 births · #9,644Peak: 2024 · 12 births
Lucero
Space-inspired without blending into the usual list, it has a clear rhythm that is easy to remember.
2025 U.S.: 6 births · #11,475Peak: 1991 · 21 births
Aquila
Skyward and distinctive, it feels intentional rather than unusual for the sake of being unusual.
2025 U.S.: 10 births · #7,713Peak: 2021 · 17 births
Janus
A cosmic choice with a clear sound, it gives the shortlist a different sound from today’s most common choices.
2025 U.S.: no published countPeak: 1997 · 6 births
The data line uses the exact spelling shown. “No published 2025 count” can mean the spelling had zero births or fewer than five, because SSA does not publish counts below five.
Celestial names range from subtle to bold
Elio and Cyrus can hint at a bright, skyward style without sounding like astronomy terms. Rigel, Kepler and Sirius make the connection much more direct.
Check the story behind the object
Astronomical names often come with mythology, science or historical associations. If one makes your shortlist, learn the specific reference so you know the story you are choosing.
Space-inspired does not always mean rare
Some celestial names have moved quickly into the mainstream. Current counts help you separate a cosmic style from actual rarity.
Build a shortlist before you rank it
Save the names that make you stop for a second. After you have five to ten, compare sound, initials, likely nicknames and current popularity. A smaller shortlist makes the differences much easier to hear.
Remember that national data is only one lens
A U.S. rank cannot measure family meaning, cultural fit or how common a name feels in your own community. Use the numbers for context, then give your personal reasons more weight.
Roscoe's pick
Cosmo
Cosmo makes the space connection obvious, but its long history as a given name keeps it grounded.
More names to explore
Questions parents ask
Are these rare celestial boy names with stars, sky and space actually rare?
The style pages are editorial, but every name card also shows its exact-spelling 2025 U.S. count when SSA published one. Data-led pages use explicit thresholds or rank movement.
Does a missing 2025 count mean nobody used the name?
No. The national public file omits names recorded fewer than five times for a sex in a year, so a missing count can mean zero or one to four births.
Should I avoid a name if it is rising?
Not necessarily. Popularity is only one part of choosing a name. If you love the sound, meaning or family connection, a rising rank may not change your decision.
Will the same name be equally rare outside the United States?
No. Popularity varies by country, region, language and community. The numbers on this site describe U.S. national data unless a page says otherwise.