Catalog Of Lunar Crater Names

An alphabetical directory of Lunar crater names, with locations and name origins.

To search the International Lunar Geographic Society's database of honorary and memorial crater names, please click here.

[ ADD YOUR NAME TO THIS LIST ]

To search the International Astronomical Union general catalog (alphabetical), please click on a letter:

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W X Y Z |

How Are Lunar Features Named?

Many of the prominent geographic formations and features on the Moon that are generally visible via telescope from Earth are given standardized designations that are adopted and recorded by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), headquartered in Paris. The general protocol instituted by the IAU for naming lunar features is as follows:

Craters:
Large craters: Prominent deceased scientists, scholars and artists;
Small craters: Common names.

Catenae, Dorsa, Rimae:
Feature names derived from prominent nearby craters.

Lacus, Maria, Paludes, Sinus:
Latin terms describing weather and other abstract concepts.

Montes:
Named for terrestrial mountain ranges or nearby craters.

Rupes:
Name of nearby mountain ranges (generally terrestrial names).

Vallis:
Names derived from nearby geographic features.

Can I name a moon crater for myself, a friend or family member?

Yes, you can. Please click here for complete information on ordering an honorary crater designation for the person of your choice.