How to name a star: the complete guide
Naming a star sounds complicated. It takes about five minutes. Here's exactly what happens, what each package includes, and what you actually receive at the end.
What "naming a star" actually means
Worth saying plainly: this is a symbolic, private registry — not an official designation from the International Astronomical Union (the only body that formally names celestial objects). Nobody selling star names claims otherwise, and neither do we.
What you're actually buying is a real star's real coordinates, paired with a name you choose, recorded in a private registry and presented as a certificate and sky map. It's the same idea as dedicating a bench or a brick in someone's name — the sentiment is the point, not a change to the star's scientific record. For a lot of people, that's exactly what makes it work as a gift: it's personal, it's permanent-feeling, and it doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it is.
The three-step process
This is the actual flow on nameastarregistry.com — nothing hidden behind extra steps.
Choose a package
Pick Starlight, Galaxy Deluxe or Cosmic Premium (compared below). All three include the certificate and a lifetime registry lookup page — the difference is how much sky detail comes with it.
Personalize your star
Give the star a name, choose which constellation to plot it in, and write a short dedication message that appears on the certificate.
Receive it instantly
Pay securely and everything — the digital certificate, sky map and a shareable link — is ready immediately. Nothing ships; there's nothing to wait for.
Compare the three packages
All prices are in USD and set by Name A Star Registry — confirm current pricing on their site before you buy.
Starlight
A simple, beautiful way to say someone matters.
- Interactive shareable package, sent instantly
- Digital star-naming certificate (print-ready PDF)
- Full star details: location, temperature, spectral specs
- Lifetime online registry lookup page
Galaxy Deluxe
Everything in Starlight, plus the sky map and more information.
- Everything in Starlight
- Sky map with your star's location and grid
- Information about the constellation
- Map of the universe around your constellation
Cosmic Premium
The full sky, presented like it means something — because it does.
- Everything in Galaxy Deluxe
- Interactive universe grid — zoom into your star's neighbourhood
- The most complete keepsake of the three
Good occasions to name a star
Name A Star Registry has built dedicated pages for most of the occasions people actually buy for:
- Anniversary gifts — by far the most common reason people name a star
- Birthday gifts
- Valentine's Day gifts
- Wedding gifts
- Memorial gifts — naming a star in memory of someone
Buying for someone specific? There are also ready-made pages for a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, teenager or new baby.
Need it fast? Because everything is delivered digitally, this works even if you're buying it the night before. See immediate star gifts or urgent name-a-star for last-minute orders, or download the PDF as soon as it's ready.
Start naming a star
Pick a package, personalise it, and it's ready to send in about five minutes.
See all packages