Not only did ancient peoples look to the night sky’s constellations as cultural touchstones, they also looked to individual stars. The star Thuban helped the Egyptians align their pyramids, and Sirius, when it rose at dawn, let them know the flooding of the Nile was soon to come. The stars of the Pleiades star cluster signaled the start of the sailing season to the ancient Greeks.
The stars of the modern world have official names of the Latin possessive of the constellation they belong to, preceded a letter of the Greek alphabet (e.g. Zeta Reticuli). When the Greek alphabet runs out, Latin letters are used, and then numbers. Prominent stars also keep their ancient names, Anglicized, easier-to-pronounce versions of the Arab ones. A few are more ancient, and a few more modern. Stars containing a system of planets were recently named through an internet vote sponsored by the International Astronomical Union in 2015, for example. There are also stars named for people, like Barnard’s star and Tabby’s star.
Through the magic of random generation, here are some Arabic-sounding starry names you can use for your own fictional skies.
Star Names
| Ghilchardi
Tamsules Nashrius Taunoros Halyat Delmeisa Vanyoros Fornabi Vyrnah Merara Trintzam Felnavi Ulregel Tasbhaat Lokwaid Olnscha Elfsata Saanzed Sedshira Jalgete Ladkar Ardnax Menzipheda Mirlnax Khanramin Hanrab |
Ghanineb
Pholectra Churud Morlzar Jolraph Amphectra Karalrai Ulchab Kahrudra Gerphoros Torsudra Irulzinda Grisus Ranthamar Zinstard Grannavi Mirlgeuse Halijidma Prosersim Shenbah Ranthellus Eliskab Betelthim Purmalopus Psunroperus Wesulnubi |
Aralfrash
Zamtanscha Arakakhra Phoraani Duneira Kabrius Baliales Zedani Zarules Alphaules Phadian Ashtut Rudashira Zistuben Charcyon Barkzim Psalturus Polkephora Zimchard Irulatna Murahbens Zenropar Ulzamard Pamopus Werosma Tristaurus |
