Rigel

Astronomy, Arabic

"foot, leg"

Rigel Origin and Meaning

The name Rigel is a boy's name of Arabic origin meaning "foot, leg".

This might sound and look like a blend of Ryan, Riley, and Nigel, but it is in fact the name of the seventh brightest star in the sky. Found in the constellation of Orion, its name comes from the Arabic phrase, Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā, , meaning "the left foot of the central one."

Associated with stargazing and astronomy, it may appeal to those looking for a celestial choice, as it did for Danish astronomer, Ejnar Hertzprung and his wife Henrietta Kapteyn (the daughter of another astronomer), who chose it for their daughter in in the early 20th century.

Given to 15 boys in 2024, it could make a familiar but unexpected choice.

Popularity of the name Rigel

• 1399 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Rigel

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Rigel.

• Asriel
• Zephyrus
• Ezio
• Caelus
• Calixto
• Pollux
• Endymion
• Naoki
• Helio
• Seraphim
• Voltaire
• Ciel
• Aegis
• Xanthos
• Vasili
• Hyperion
• Kazimir
• Artemus
• Midas
• Caliban

The name Rigel in Pop Culture

• Rigel brightest star in the constellation Orion