Name A Star Gift: Why A Custom Star Map Is A More Stylish Alternative

September 21, 2026

Naming a star is one of the most-searched romantic gifts in the UK, and one of the most misunderstood.

Here's what you actually get, what the certificate means, and the alternative most people are happier with once they see it on a wall.

Honest note: we make cards, pin badges, prints and party decorations. Star map prints are a recommendation from elsewhere.

What a name a star gift really is

You pay a private company to record a name against a star in their own database.
You receive a certificate, usually a chart, and sometimes an app entry.
The gesture is real and lovely - the registration is a novelty, not an official record.
Prices in the UK generally run from about GBP 20 to over GBP 100 for effectively the same thing.
Nobody will ever look the name up outside that company's own website.

Is the name official?

No. The International Astronomical Union is the only body that names stars, and it doesn't sell names.
The IAU says so publicly, and says the sale of star names is a commercial exercise.
That doesn't make the gift worthless - it makes it a gift, not a legal registration.
Just don't present it as official, because a curious recipient will find out in one search.
If the romance is the point, buy the romance and skip the paperwork.

Why a custom star map is the better buy

It shows the real sky, accurately, from the exact date, time and place you choose.
The date is the meaningful bit - the night you met, proposed, or married - and that part is genuinely yours.
It's designed as a print, so it hangs in a living room rather than sitting in a drawer with the certificate.
You can frame it, resize it, and reprint it if you move.
Choosing a size for the wall - Read the guide

Other alternatives worth a look

Adopt-a-something through a UK charity - a tree, a beehive, a rescue animal - which does real good.
A gifted telescope or good binoculars, if the interest is actually astronomy.
Tickets to a planetarium or a dark sky observatory night.
A night out under a proper dark sky - free, and the memory is the gift. Take a look
A print of the place instead of the sky, if they're not the sentimental type.

Key things to remember

The name isn't official - the IAU says so.
Buy the gesture, not the paperwork.
A dated star map hangs; a certificate doesn't.

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We make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house. These are from other shops we rate, and buying through the link costs you nothing extra.

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Custom Star Map Print - The Night We Met - Anniversary Romantic Gift

This beautiful custom star map print recreates the night sky from the evening you met, creating a truly unique keepsake. It makes a wonderfully romantic anniversary gift for your partner, celebrating the very start of your story together.

Frequently asked questions

Can you really name a star after someone?

You can pay a private company to record a name in its own register and send you a certificate. It isn't an official astronomical name and no observatory or scientific body recognises it.

Who officially names stars?

The International Astronomical Union. It does not sell star names and states that commercial star naming has no official standing.

Is naming a star a good gift?

As a romantic gesture, yes, as long as nobody claims it's official. As an object to keep, a star map print of a meaningful date usually looks far better on a wall than a certificate.

How much does naming a star cost in the UK?

Typically GBP 20 to GBP 100 depending on how elaborate the pack is. The underlying registration is the same regardless of price.

What is a star map print?

A print showing the real arrangement of stars above a specific place at a specific date and time, usually with the location, date and a short line of text set underneath.

Do you sell star maps?

No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. Star map prints are a recommendation from elsewhere - the only things linked to our own shop are ours.