How did the planet Jupiter get its name?


Quick Answer

Jupiter is named after the powerful Roman god who is the equivalent of the Greek god Zeus. All of the planets in the solar system but Earth are named after gods in the Roman pantheon. Many of the moons of Jupiter are also named after figures from Roman mythology.

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Full Answer

As the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter is named after the most important figure Roman mythology. The Babylonians named the planet after their god Marduk. It is called the Wood Star in Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Hindu astrologers called the planet Brihaspati, while Central Asian cultures called it Erendiz.

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