 This minor planet was named in memory of French composer Claude Debussy (1862–1918), one of the most prominent figures associated with impressionist music, best known for his "Clair de lune" and "Feux d'artifice", as well as for his piano suites "Estampes" (1903), "Bergamasque" (1890–1905) and Images (1905).He was a fervent admirer of Frédéric Chopin, after whom the asteroid was named.The official naming citation was published on 4 October 1990 ().