Thousands of years ago, our ancestors looked up into the stars and named some of them. Some of the names stuck, and are still used as official designations by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Of course, with the advanced ability to view the world, we would now almost run out of names for stars, and most stars are given a number designation.

However, some companies offer a name a star service. One sends in the name of one’s beloved and gets back very official looking documents saying the name of the star is now “George,” “Margie” or “Sweet’ums.” What you really get when you name a star is a lovely, important looking paper at a very high price, usually around 50 US dollars (USD).

The IAU does not recognize these name a star services as official. So you are not really naming a star-you’re simply benefiting a company that came up with a great marketing concept. However, name a star companies assert that no one owns the galaxy or the universe, so their suggested names are just as valid.

Every now and again some new scientific process might discover a new star. In that case, the IAU might name a star that is newly discovered after its discoverer. However, most astronomers simply agree to the number system for simplicity in classification.

Of course if you want to name a star after someone and spend the money, you certainly can. You can also create quite official looking documents at home to “name a star” anything you’d like. For that matter, you’re free to name a star, or anything else you wish, any name you choose, providing you’re not using a name for commercial purposes that violate someone else’s copyright or patent status.

It can be a fun activity to learn the names of the stars officially recognized by the IAU, and then perhaps take turns with one’s kids giving the stars new names. This costs a little time, but is generally free, monetarily speaking.