2026-01-20 · Names & mythology · 7 min
Mythology in space names: why so many asteroids sound ‘ancient’
From Juno to Ceres: how mythology shaped early naming and why modern naming themes still matter.
If you browse lists of asteroids, you’ll notice a pattern: many names come from mythology. That’s not an accident — it’s history.
Why mythology was the default
Early discoverers used mythological names because:
- they were culturally “neutral” for science at the time,
- they provided a huge shared pool of recognizable names,
- they matched the tradition used for planets.
Naming themes still exist
Official naming systems often apply themes:
- certain bodies or feature classes prefer certain categories of names
- some themes are commemorative (artists, scientists, places)
A modern view
Today, naming is broader: people, places, literature, and more. But mythology remains a common thread — especially in older objects.
Keyword focus: “why asteroids are named after gods”, “mythology asteroid naming”, “space naming conventions”.
Related reading
- /en/blog/spotlight-juno
- /en/blog/planetary-names-101
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