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Pluto was named by an 11-year-old girl. In 1930, Venetia Burney of Oxford, England, suggested the name, and Lowell Observatory selected it.

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Pluto was named by an 11-year-old girl. In 1930, Venetia Burney of Oxford, England, suggested the name, and Lowell Observatory selected it.ILLUSTRATION · AI

Pluto was named by an 11-year-old girl, Venetia Burney of Oxford, England, NASA says.

After the new world was discovered in 1930, Venetia suggested to her grandfather that it be named for the Roman god of the underworld. He forwarded the name to the Lowell Observatory, and it was selected.

Pluto was long considered the ninth planet. The International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a dwarf planet in 2006.

SourcesEvery claim traced
  1. NASA Science: Pluto Facts
    Tier 1 · Primary1930
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