zaro

Is Our Moon Named Luna?

Published in Lunar Nomenclature 3 mins read

No, our Moon is not formally named Luna. While "Luna" is a widely recognized term associated with Earth's natural satellite, it is not its official proper name.

Understanding the Moon's Nomenclature

Unlike other celestial bodies that possess unique proper names, such as the planets Mars or Jupiter, or specific moons like Titan (Saturn's largest moon) or Io (one of Jupiter's Galilean moons), our own natural satellite is simply known as the Moon. When referring to Earth's specific satellite, "Moon" is often capitalized to differentiate it from the moons orbiting other planets in our solar system.

Latin Terms vs. Proper Names

A common misconception is that "Luna" serves as the official name for our Moon. This idea stems from the fact that "Luna" is indeed the Latin word for Moon. However, this is similar to how "Terra" is the Latin word for Earth and "Sol" is the Latin word for Sun. These Latin terms are not the formal, proper names of these celestial bodies in English.

To clarify this distinction, consider the following:

Celestial Body Latin Term Common English Reference Is Latin Term Its Official English Name?
Earth Terra The Earth No
Sun Sol The Sun No
Our Moon Luna The Moon No

Why the Association with "Luna"?

The strong association of "Luna" with our Moon primarily originates from Roman mythology, where Luna was revered as the divine personification of the Moon. This deep historical and cultural influence has permeated various aspects of language and science. Terms related to the Moon often derive from this Latin root:

  • Lunar: An adjective referring to the Moon (e.g., lunar eclipse).
  • Lunatic: Historically, a term for someone considered mad, believed to be affected by the phases of the Moon.
  • Lunate: Describing something crescent-shaped, like a phase of the Moon.

Even though "Luna" is not its official name, its use in scientific and popular contexts is widespread, highlighting its enduring linguistic and cultural significance. For more general information about our Moon, you can visit resources like NASA's Moon page. For the etymology of "Luna," sources like Wiktionary provide detailed linguistic origins.

What is Our Moon Called Then?

In official astronomical and common English usage, our planet's natural satellite is simply referred to as the Moon. Its unique status as Earth's sole natural satellite means it doesn't require a unique proper name beyond this capitalized designation.