Names of Galaxies: 150+ Real, Famous, Beautiful & Fictional Ideas

Names of galaxies can be fascinating, beautiful, and mysterious, inspired by stars, space, mythology, and distant cosmic worlds.

Galaxies are enormous collections of stars, planets, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity. Each galaxy has its own name, shape, and fascinating features.

Some, like the Milky Way and Andromeda, are well known, while others have scientific catalog names made from letters and numbers.

If you are searching for names of galaxies for astronomy research, a school project, a science article, or creative inspiration, this guide covers famous galaxies, unusual discoveries, galaxy types, and original fictional galaxy names.

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Famous Galaxy Names

These are some of the best known galaxies in astronomy.

1. Milky Way
2. Andromeda Galaxy
3. Triangulum Galaxy
4. Whirlpool Galaxy
5. Sombrero Galaxy
6. Pinwheel Galaxy
7. Sunflower Galaxy
8. Cigar Galaxy
9. Black Eye Galaxy
10. Cartwheel Galaxy
11. Tadpole Galaxy
12. Antennae Galaxies
13. Sculptor Galaxy
14. Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
15. Large Magellanic Cloud
16. Small Magellanic Cloud
17. Centaurus A
18. Bode’s Galaxy
19. Messier 87
20. Messier 101

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Names of Galaxies in the Milky Way’s Neighborhood

The Milky Way belongs to a collection of galaxies called the Local Group. These galaxies include large spirals, smaller irregular galaxies, and many dwarf galaxies.

1. Andromeda Galaxy
2. Triangulum Galaxy
3. Large Magellanic Cloud
4. Small Magellanic Cloud
5. Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy
6. Fornax Dwarf Galaxy
7. Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy
8. Leo I Dwarf Galaxy
9. Leo II Dwarf Galaxy
10. Draco Dwarf Galaxy
11. Ursa Minor Dwarf Galaxy
12. Carina Dwarf Galaxy
13. Sextans Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy
14. Phoenix Dwarf Galaxy
15. IC 10
16. IC 1613
17. NGC 6822
18. Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte
19. Pegasus Dwarf Irregular Galaxy
20. Aquarius Dwarf Galaxy

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Spiral Galaxy Names

Spiral galaxies have a central region surrounded by arms that curve outward. The Milky Way is also classified as a barred spiral galaxy.

1. Milky Way
2. Andromeda Galaxy
3. Triangulum Galaxy
4. Whirlpool Galaxy
5. Pinwheel Galaxy
6. Sunflower Galaxy
7. Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
8. Grand Design Spiral Galaxy NGC 1232
9. NGC 1365
10. NGC 1566
11. NGC 6744
12. NGC 2997
13. NGC 3344
14. NGC 3184
15. NGC 2775
16. NGC 4254
17. NGC 4321
18. NGC 4535
19. NGC 6814
20. NGC 7331

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Elliptical Galaxy Names

Elliptical galaxies usually have rounded or elongated shapes and less visible spiral structure. Many contain older stars and relatively little cold gas for forming new stars.

1. Messier 87
2. Messier 49
3. Messier 60
4. Messier 59
5. Messier 86
6. Messier 89
7. Messier 105
8. NGC 5128
9. NGC 1132
10. NGC 4472
11. NGC 4486
12. NGC 4552
13. NGC 4636
14. NGC 4697
15. NGC 5846
16. NGC 7619
17. NGC 1407
18. NGC 1600
19. NGC 4478
20. NGC 4365

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Irregular Galaxy Names

Irregular galaxies do not have the well defined spiral or elliptical shape seen in many other galaxies. Their unusual appearances can result from gravitational interactions, gas distribution, or ongoing star formation.

1. Large Magellanic Cloud
2. Small Magellanic Cloud
3. Cigar Galaxy
4. Cartwheel Galaxy
5. Tadpole Galaxy
6. Barnard’s Galaxy
7. IC 10
8. IC 1613
9. NGC 4449
10. NGC 4214
11. NGC 1569
12. NGC 1705
13. NGC 5253
14. NGC 6822
15. NGC 1427A
16. NGC 4485
17. NGC 4490
18. UGC 5288
19. Hoag’s Object
20. DDO 68

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Galaxies With Unusual Names

Some galaxies have nicknames inspired by their shapes, colors, or appearance in telescope images.

1. Cigar Galaxy
2. Sombrero Galaxy
3. Whirlpool Galaxy
4. Pinwheel Galaxy
5. Sunflower Galaxy
6. Black Eye Galaxy
7. Cartwheel Galaxy
8. Tadpole Galaxy
9. Antennae Galaxies
10. Needle Galaxy
11. Sculptor Galaxy
12. Ghost of Jupiter Galaxy
13. Medusa Merger
14. Penguin Galaxy
15. Baby Boom Galaxy
16. Comet Galaxy
17. Fireworks Galaxy
18. Porpoise Galaxy
19. Cheshire Cat Galaxies
20. Hoag’s Object

Note: The Ghost of Jupiter is a planetary nebula, not a galaxy. It is included here as an example of a space object with a memorable nickname.

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Galaxies Named After Constellations

Some galaxy names include the constellation in which they appear in Earth’s sky. The constellation helps astronomers describe their location.

1. Andromeda Galaxy
2. Triangulum Galaxy
3. Sculptor Galaxy
4. Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
5. Circinus Galaxy
6. Fornax A
7. Centaurus A
8. Phoenix Cluster’s central galaxy
9. Leo I Dwarf Galaxy
10. Leo II Dwarf Galaxy
11. Pegasus Dwarf Galaxy
12. Aquarius Dwarf Galaxy
13. Sextans Dwarf Galaxy
14. Draco Dwarf Galaxy
15. Ursa Minor Dwarf Galaxy
16. Carina Dwarf Galaxy
17. Coma Cluster galaxies
18. Hercules Cluster galaxies
19. Perseus Cluster galaxies
20. Virgo Cluster galaxies

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Brightest and Most Interesting Galaxies

These galaxies are famous for their appearance, size, activity, or importance to astronomical research.

1. Andromeda Galaxy
2. Whirlpool Galaxy
3. Sombrero Galaxy
4. Centaurus A
5. Messier 87
6. Pinwheel Galaxy
7. Large Magellanic Cloud
8. Small Magellanic Cloud
9. Cartwheel Galaxy
10. Cigar Galaxy
11. Black Eye Galaxy
12. Sunflower Galaxy
13. NGC 1300
14. NGC 1365
15. NGC 1566
16. NGC 253
17. NGC 4945
18. NGC 1097
19. NGC 4038 and NGC 4039
20. NGC 5128

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Famous Galaxies Beyond the Local Group

These galaxies are outside the Milky Way’s immediate Local Group of galaxies.

1. Whirlpool Galaxy
2. Sombrero Galaxy
3. Pinwheel Galaxy
4. Sunflower Galaxy
5. Black Eye Galaxy
6. Cigar Galaxy
7. Needle Galaxy
8. Cartwheel Galaxy
9. Tadpole Galaxy
10. Centaurus A
11. Messier 87
12. Messier 49
13. Messier 60
14. NGC 1300
15. NGC 1365
16. NGC 253
17. NGC 1097
18. NGC 1566
19. NGC 6744
20. NGC 7331

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Names of Galaxies With Their Catalog Numbers

Astronomers use catalog numbers to identify galaxies precisely. The same galaxy may have several designations in different catalogs.

Common Name	Catalog Designation
Andromeda Galaxy	Messier 31, M31
Triangulum Galaxy	Messier 33, M33
Whirlpool Galaxy	Messier 51, M51
Pinwheel Galaxy	Messier 101, M101
Sombrero Galaxy	Messier 104, M104
Black Eye Galaxy	Messier 64, M64
Sunflower Galaxy	Messier 63, M63
Cigar Galaxy	Messier 82, M82
Bode’s Galaxy	Messier 81, M81
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy	Messier 83, M83
Centaurus A	NGC 5128
Sculptor Galaxy	NGC 253
Cartwheel Galaxy	ESO 350 40
Needle Galaxy	NGC 4565
Messier 87	Virgo A, M87

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Beautiful Galaxy Names for Inspiration

If you like the sound of galaxy names for a story, character, project, or fictional universe, these real astronomical names have a beautiful and memorable feel.

1. Andromeda
2. Triangulum
3. Sombrero
4. Pinwheel
5. Sunflower
6. Sculptor
7. Centaurus
8. Cassiopeia
9. Phoenix
10. Pegasus
11. Carina
12. Fornax
13. Lyra
14. Aurora
15. Celestia
16. Nova
17. Astra
18. Lunara
19. Solara
20. Nebula

Important: Some names in this section, such as Cassiopeia, Lyra, Aurora, Celestia, Lunara, and Solara, are constellation, mythological, or creative names rather than official names of specific galaxies.

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Unique Fictional Galaxy Names

For a novel, game, science fiction world, or fantasy setting, fictional galaxy names can give your universe a distinctive identity.

1. Aetherion
2. Veloria
3. Nyxara
4. Solvantis
5. Astravelle
6. Zenthara
7. Caeloria
8. Virellion
9. Lumivara
10. Orinthia
11. Xandoria
12. Nebulora
13. Thalorix
14. Elarion
15. Novastra
16. Cryovelle
17. Zephyria
18. Galaxion Prime
19. Stellavorn
20. Aurorion
21. Valtaris
22. Mystralis
23. Quasarion
24. Draconis Reach
25. Celestara

These are invented names for creative use, not officially recognized astronomical objects.

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Dark and Mysterious Galaxy Names

These fictional names suit science fiction stories featuring unexplored regions, ancient civilizations, or mysterious cosmic phenomena.

1. The Shadow Veil
2. Noctyra
3. Voidspire
4. Darkstar Reach
5. Obsidian Spiral
6. The Silent Expanse
7. Umbrion
8. Black Halo
9. The Forgotten Cluster
10. Noxaris
11. Eclipse Dominion
12. The Phantom Spiral
13. Abyssara
14. Nightfall Nexus
15. The Hollow Crown
16. Dreadnova
17. Vantoryx
18. The Lost Meridian
19. Shadowfall
20. The Eternal Dark

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How to Choose a Galaxy Name for a Story or Project

If you need a galaxy name for creative work, think about the setting and the feeling you want to create.

• Choose a theme: Decide if the galaxy should sound peaceful, ancient, mysterious, powerful, or futuristic.
• Use astronomical inspiration: Words such as Nova, Nebula, Orion, and Astra can create a cosmic feel.
• Keep it memorable: A short name is often easier for readers and players to remember.
• Match the setting: A bright, friendly universe may suit a name like Solara, while a dark sci fi setting may suit Voidspire.
• Check real world use: If scientific accuracy matters, confirm that the name refers to a real galaxy rather than a constellation or an invented name.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the names of the most famous galaxies?

Some of the best known galaxies are the Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, Whirlpool Galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy, Pinwheel Galaxy, and Cigar Galaxy.

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2. How many galaxies are there in the universe?

The exact number is unknown. Astronomers estimate that the observable universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, and some estimates suggest that there may be far more, depending on how faint galaxies are counted.

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3. What is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way?

The answer depends on what counts as a galaxy and how distance is measured. Several small dwarf galaxies orbit the Milky Way. The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest major spiral galaxy to ours.

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4. What is the largest known galaxy?

The answer depends on how a galaxy’s size is measured and which observations are included. Some giant elliptical galaxies, including IC 1101, are often discussed as exceptionally large, but claims about the single largest galaxy can be uncertain.

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5. What is the name of our galaxy?

Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. It is a barred spiral galaxy containing our Solar System.

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6. Are all galaxy names official?

No. Some galaxies have established common names, while others are identified mainly by catalog designations such as M31 or NGC 5128. Fictional galaxy names are created for stories, games, and other creative projects.

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7. What are some unusual galaxy names?

Memorable examples include the Cigar Galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy, Black Eye Galaxy, Cartwheel Galaxy, Tadpole Galaxy, and Whirlpool Galaxy.

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8. What is the difference between a galaxy and a constellation?

A galaxy is a vast physical system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity. A constellation is a pattern or designated region of the sky as seen from Earth. The stars in a constellation usually lie at different distances from us.

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Conclusion

The names of galaxies range from familiar examples such as the Milky Way and Andromeda to unusual objects such as the Cartwheel Galaxy and the Black Eye Galaxy.

Astronomers use both memorable nicknames and scientific catalog designations to identify these enormous cosmic systems.

For creative projects, fictional names such as Aetherion, Nyxara, and Solvantis can provide inspiration. Just remember to distinguish invented names from officially cataloged galaxies when scientific accuracy matters.

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