Constellation names, like the names of stars, come from a variety of sources and each has a different story and meaning behind it. The names of ancient constellations mostly come from Greek and Roman mythology, while most of the constellations created more recently were named after scientific instruments and exotic animals. The 88 constellation names and their meanings are listed below.
| Constellation | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | Princess | Northern |
| Antlia | Pump | Southern |
| Apus | Bird of Paradise | South Polar |
| Aquarius | Water Bearer | Equitorial |
| Aquila | Eagle | Equitorial |
| Ara | Altar | Southern |
| Aries | Ram | Southern |
| Auriga | Charioteer | Northern |
| Bootes | Herdsman | Northern |
| Caelum | Chisel | Southern |
| Camelopardalis | Giraffe | North Polar |
| Cancer | Crab | Equitorial |
| Canes Venatici | Hunting Dogs | Northern |
| Canis Major | Large Dog | Equitorial |
| Canis Minor | Small Dog | Equitorial |
| Capricornus | Sea Goat | Equitorial |
| Carina | Keel | South Polar |
| Cassiopeia | Queen | North Polar |
| Centaurus | Centaur | Southern |
| Cepheus | King | North Polar |
| Cetus | Whale | Equitorial |
| Chamaeleon | Chamaeleon | South Polar |
| Circinus | Compasses | South Polar |
| Columba | Dove | Southern |
| Coma Berenices | Berenice's Hair | Equitorial |
| Corona Australis | Southern Crown | Southern |
| Corona Borealis | Northern Crown | Northern |
| Corvus | Crow | Equitorial |
| Crater | Cup | Equitorial |
| Crux | Southern Cross | South Polar |
| Cygnus | Swan | Northern |
| Delphinus | Dolphin | Equitorial |
| Dorado | Goldfish | Southern |
| Draco | Dragon | North Polar |
| Equuleus | Colt | Equitorial |
| Eridanus | River | Southern |
| Fornax | Furnace | Southern |
| Gemini | Twins | Equitorial |
| Grus | Crane | Southern |
| Hercules | Champion | Northern |
| Horologium | Pendulum | Southern |
| Hydra | Sea Serpent | Equitorial |
| Hydrus | Serpent | South Polar |
| Indus | Indian | Southern |
| Lacerta | Lizard | Northern |
| Leo | Lion | Northern |
| Leo Minor | Little Lion | Northern |
| Lepus | Rabbit | Equitorial |
| Libra | Scales | Equitorial |
| Lupus | Wolf | Southern |
| Lynx | Cat | Northern |
| Lyra | Harp | Northern |
| Mensa | Table Mountain | South Polar |
| Microscopium | Microscope | Southern |
| Monoceros | Unicorn | Equitorial |
| Musca | Fly | South Polar |
| Norma | Carpenter's Square | Southern |
| Octans | Octant | South Polar |
| Ophiuchus | Serpent Bearer | Equitorial |
| Orion | Hunter | Equitorial |
| Pavo | Peacock | South Polar |
| Pegasus | Winged Horse | Equitorial |
| Perseus | Hero | Northern |
| Phoenix | Fire Bird | Southern |
| Pictor | Painter's Easel | Southern |
| Pisces | Fishes | Equitorial |
| Piscis Austrinus | Southern Fish | Southern |
| Puppis | Stern of Ship | Southern |
| Pyxis | Ship's Compass | Southern |
| Reticulum | Net | Southern |
| Sagitta | Arrow | Equitorial |
| Sagittarius | Archer | Southern |
| Scorpius | Scorpion | Southern |
| Sculptor | Sculptor | Southern |
| Scutum | Shield | Equitorial |
| Serpens | Serpent | Equitorial |
| Sextans | Sextant | Equitorial |
| Taurus | Bull | Equitorial |
| Telescopium | Telescope | Southern |
| Triangulum | Triangle | Northern |
| Triangulum Australe | Southern Triangle | Southern |
| Tucana | Toucan | South Polar |
| Ursa Major | Big Bear | Northern |
| Ursa Minor | Little Bear | North Polar |
| Vela | Sails | Southern |
| Virgo | Virgin | Equitorial |
| Volans | Flying Fish | Southern |
| Vulpecula | Little Fox | Equitorial |