Meanings of minor planet names: 15001–16000

As minor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by the IAU's Minor Planet Center, and the discoverers can then submit names for them, following the IAU's naming conventions. The list below concerns those minor planets in the specified span of numbers that have received names, and explains the meanings of those names. Besides the Minor Planet Circulars (in which the citations are published), a key source is Lutz D. Schmadel's Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Meanings that do not quote a reference (the "†" links) are tentative.

Minor planets not yet given a name have not been included in this list.

Contents:
Name Provisional Designation Source of Name
15,001–15,100
15003 Midori 1997 XC10 *
15004 Vallerani 1997 XL10 *
15005 Guerriero 1997 XY10 Luciano Guerriero (b. 1930) played a key role in the development of the first Italian National Space Program and the promotion of important international space research missions in astronomy. The name was suggested by F. Bevilacqua, C. Casacci and E. Vallerani.
15008 Delahodde 1998 QO6 Catherine E. Delahodde, French astronomer †
15014 Annagekker 1998 RO74 Anna Gekker, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15017 Cuppy 1998 SS25 Will Cuppy, American humorist and journalist †
15019 Gingold 1998 SW75 Julian A. Gingold, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15020 Brandonimber 1998 SV105 Brandon Stuart Imber, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15021 Alexkardon 1998 SX123 Alex Kardon, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15023 Ketover 1998 SP156 Daniel Jacob Ketover, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15025 Uwontario 1998 TX28 University of Western Ontario †
15026 Davidscott 1998 TR34 *
15030 Matthewkroll 1998 VA15 Matthew Jay Kroll, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15031 Lemus 1998 VN28 Bryan Armando Lemus, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15032 Alexlevin 1998 VV28 Alex Levin, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15034 Décines 1998 WH Décines, Rhône département, a French town to the west of Lione which is twinned with Monsummano Terme, the birthplace of Luciano Tesi, the co-discoverer †
15036 Giovannianselmi 1998 WO5 Giovanni Anselmi, editor of the Italian astronomy journal Coelum*
15037 Chassagne 1998 WN6 Robin Chassagne, discoverer of supernovae †
15041 Paperetti 1998 XB5 Emiliano Paperetti, Italian amateur astronomer †
15042 Anndavgui 1998 XZ8 Annick, David, and Guillaume, the immediate family of the discoverer †
15045 Walesdymond 1998 XY21 William Wales and Joseph Dymond, 18th-century British astronomers †
15052 Emileschweitzer 1998 YD2 *
15053 Bochníček 1998 YY2 Záviš Bochníček, Czech astronomer living in Slovakia †
15056 Barbaradixon 1998 YP12 Barbara Dixon, related to the discoverer, D. S. Dixon? *
15057 Whitson 1998 YY15 Peggy Whitson, American astronaut
15058 Billcooke 1998 YL16 Bill Cooke, American space weather scientist*
15068 Wiegert 1999 AJ20 Paul Wiegert, Canadian astrodynamicist †
15071 Hallerstein 1999 BN12 Ferdinand Avguštin Hallerstein, Slovenian Jesuit missionary to China, mathematician, astronomer, cartograph, and diplomat †
15072 Landolt 1999 BS12 *
15076 Joellewis 1999 BL25 Joel Brewster Lewis, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15077 Edyalge 1999 CA Edy Alge, Swiss amateur astronomer †
15083 Tianhuili 1999 CJ34 Tianhui Li, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15088 Licitra 1999 CK82 Jeffrey Lawrence Licitra, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15091 Howell 1999 CM136 *
15092 Beegees 1999 EH5 The Bee Gees' UK-born recording artists Barry, Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb were raised in Australia only 100 km from the discovery site †
15093 Lestermackey 1999 TA31 Lester Wayne Mackey, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15099 Janestrohm 2000 AE92 *
15,101–15,200
15106 Swanson 2000 CA45 *
15107 Toepperwein 2000 CR49 *
15109 Wilber 2000 CW61 *
15111 Winters 2000 CY92 *
15112 Arlenewolfe 2000 CY94 Arlene E. Wolfe mentored a finalist in the 2001 Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (DYSC), a middle school science competition. Wolfe is a teacher at the Venerini Academy, Worcester, Massachusetts.
15115 Yvonneroe 2000 DA7 Yvonne Roe, wife of discoverer James M. Roe
15118 Elizabethsears 2000 DP82 *
15120 Mariafélix 2000 ES Maria Jesús Félix, mother of the discoverer †
15126 Brittanyanderson 2000 EA44 *
15128 Patrickjones 2000 EG46 *
15129 Sparks 2000 ET47 Branson Sparks, 2001 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge finalist and named 2001 Nation's Top Young Scientist †
15132 Steigmeyer 2000 EZ69 *
15133 Sullivan 2000 EB91 *
15139 Connormcarty 2000 EY93 *
15144 Araas 2000 EK114 *
15145 Ritageorge 2000 EF117 *
15146 Halpov 2000 EQ130 Hal Povenmire, American amateur astronomer and meteor observer, founder of the Florida Fireball Patrol*
15147 Siegfried 2000 EJ134 *
15155 Ahn 2000 FB37 *
15160 Wygoda 2000 FK44 *
15,201–15,300
15202 Yamada-Houkoku 1977 EM5 Yamada-Houkoku, 19th-century Japanese scholar and Confucian †
15203 Grishanin 1978 SS6 Kirill Vladimirovich Grishanin, Russian hydrometeorologist †
15220 Sumerkin 1981 SC7 Yurij Vasil'evich Sumerkin, Russian scientist in the field of ship mechanical engineering, ship building and ship repair †
15228 Ronmiller 1987 DG *
15230 Alona 1987 RF1 *
15231 Ehdita 1987 RO5 *
15239 Stenhammar 1989 CR2 *
15258 Alfilipenko 1990 RN17 *
15262 Abderhalden 1990 TG4 Emil Abderhalden, Swiss biochemist and physiologist*
15263 Erwingroten 1990 TY7 Erwin Groten, German geodesist*
15264 Delbrück 1990 TU11 Max Delbrück, German biologist, joint winner with Salvador Luria and Alfred Hershey of the Nobel Prize for Physiology in 1969*
15265 Ernsting 1990 TG13 Walter Ernsting, German science fiction author (who wrote also under the pseudonym Clark Darlton) †
15273 Ruhmkorff 1991 GQ3 Heinrich Daniel Ruhmkorff, German instrument maker †
15276 Diebel 1991 GA10 *
15278 Pâquet 1991 PG7 *
15282 Franzmarc 1991 RX4 *
15294 Underwood 1991 VD5 *
15,301–15,400
15301 Marutesser 1992 SC2 *
15304 Wikberg 1992 UX4 *
15318 Innsbruck 1993 KX1 *
15321 Donnadean 1993 PE8 *
15329 Sabena 1993 SN7 Sabena, defunct Belgian airline †
15332 CERN 1993 TU24 CERN (originally the Conseil européen pour la recherche nucléaire; now the Organisation européenne pour la recherche nucléaire, European Organization for Nuclear Physics), Geneva, Switzerland, the world's largest subatomic particle laboratory †
15342 Assisi 1994 GD10 Saint Francis of Assisi*
15346 Bonifatius 1994 RT11 Saint Boniface*
15350 Naganuma 1994 VB2 *
15363 Ysaye 1996 FT6 *
15370 Kanchi 1996 NW *
15371 Steward 1996 RZ18 Steward Observatory †
15372 Agrigento 1996 TK41 Agrigento, a town in the province of that name in Sicily which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site*
15374 Teta 1997 BG Teta, mythical fortune-teller and heathen priestess, second daughter of Bohemian prince Krok †
15376 Marták 1997 CT1 Ján Marták, Slovak musician †
15379 Alefranz 1997 QG1 Alessandro Bisentini and Francesco Villa, Italian comedian duo, friends of the second discoverer †
15378 Artin 1997 PJ2 *
15381 Spadolini 1997 RB1 Mauro (1941) and Barbara (1944) Spadolini, dedicated Italian secondary-school teachers who believe in cross-curricular work.
15382 Vian 1997 SN *
15384 Samková 1997 SC4 Filomena Samková, Czech †
15385 Dallolmo 1997 SP4 Umberto Dall'Olmo, Italian astronomer*
15386 Nicolini 1997 ST4 *
15388 Coelum 1997 ST17 Coelum, the Italian astronomy journal*
15389 Geflorsch 1997 TL6 Gérard Florsch, one of the founders of the Groupe de Lorraine of the Société Astronomique de France and of the public observatory of Sarreguemines. †
15390 Znojil 1997 TJ10 Vladimír Znojil, Czech astronomer †
15392 Budějický 1997 TO19 Jaromír Budějický, Czech radio-astronomer †
15395 Rükl 1997 UV Antonín Rükl, Czech astronomer †
15396 Howardmoore 1997 UG2 *
15397 Ksoari 1997 UK7 KSO-ARI Minor Planet Surveys †

The KSO-ARI Minor Planet Surveys were conducted by Freimut Börngen (Karl Schwarzschild Observatory, Tautenburg) and Lutz D. Schmadel (Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Heidelberg) with the Tautenburg Schmidt Telescope between 1990 and 1993. The surveys resulted in the discovery of 501 minor planets.
15399 Hudec 1997 VE René Hudec, Czech astronomer †
15,401–15,500
15403 Merignac 1997 VH6 *
15406 Bleibtreu 1997 WV12 *
15412 Schaefer 1998 AU3 *
15415 Rika 1998 CA1 *
15417 Babylon 1998 DH34 *
15420 Aedouglass 1998 HQ31 Andrew Ellicott Douglass, American astronomer*
15421 Adammalin 1998 HM81 Adam Mikah Malin, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15425 Welzl 1998 SV26 Jan Welzl, Czech arctic explorer †
15427 Shabas 1998 SP61 *
15434 Mittal 1998 VM25 Alexander Chow Mittal, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15448 Siegwarth 1998 XT21 *
15452 Ibramohammed 1998 XL52 Ibraheem Maqsood Mohammed, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15460 Manca 1998 YD10 Francesco Manca, Italian amateur astronomer †
15461 Johnbird 1998 YT29 John Bird, British astronomer and instrument-maker*
15462 Stumegan 1999 AV1 *
15465 Buchroeder 1999 AZ5 Richard Alfred Buchroeder, American optical design engineer †
15466 Barlow 1999 AR23 *
15467 Aflorsch 1999 AN24 Alphonse Florsch, French astronomer*
15469 Ohmura 1999 BC *
15476 Narendra 1999 BW24 Varun Kumar Narendra, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15492 Nyberg 1999 CG89 Michael Herbert Nyberg, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15495 Bogie 1999 DF2 *
15497 Lucca 1999 DE7 *
15499 Cloyd 1999 FY8 *
15500 Anantpatel 1999 FO26 Anant Ramesh Patel, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15,501–15,600
15501 Pepawlowski 1999 NK10 Peter Michal Pawlowski, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15506 Preygel 1999 RX132 Anatoly Preygel, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15507 Rengarajan 1999 RC166 Michelle Rengarajan, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15510 Phoeberounds 1999 TF127 Phoebe Robeson Rounds, 2003 Intel Science Talent Search finalist †
15512 Snyder 1999 UK1 Doug Snyder, American amateur astronomer and light pollution reducer †
15513 Emmermann 1999 UV38 *
15522 Trueblood 1999 XX136 Mark Trueblood, American engineer and amateur astronomer*
15523 Grenville 1999 XE151 *
15530 Kuber 2000 AV98 *
15543 Elizateel 2000 DD96 *
15550 Sydney 2000 FR10 *
15551 Paddock 2000 FQ25 *
15553 Carachang 2000 FG45 *
15557 Kimcochran 2000 GV *
15559 Abigailhines 2000 GR23 *
15563 Remsberg 2000 GG48 *
15565 Benjaminsteele 2000 GM49 Benjamin Steele, 2001 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge finalist †
15566 Elizabethbaker 2000 GD50 *
15567 Giacomelli 2000 GF53 *
15569 Feinberg 2000 GC60 *
15574 Stephaniehass 2000 GF66 *
15576 Munday 2000 GK68 *
15577 Gywilliams 2000 GN68 *
15582 Russellburrows 2000 GZ73 *
15583 Hanick 2000 GM74 *
15594 Castillo 2000 GG95 *
15599 Richardlarson 2000 GF99 *
15,601–15,700
15604 Fruits 2000 GT108 *
15606 Winer 2000 GU122 *
15608 Owens 2000 GK124 *
15609 Kosmaczewski 2000 GP124 Named in 2002 after Sara Kosmaczewski, a Hamden student, after she won the third annual Discovery Young Scientist Challenge, a national science contest. [1]
15614 Pillinger 2000 GA143 Colin Pillinger, British planetary scientist, Head of Planetary and Space Sciences at the Open University*
15617 Fallowfield 2000 HK10 *
15618 Lorifritz 2000 HF11 *
15619 Albertwu 2000 HE13 *
15620 Beltrami 2000 HQ14 *
15621 Erikhovland 2000 HO20 *
15622 Westrich 2000 HY20 *
15624 Lamberton 2000 HB31 *
15627 Hong 2000 HW52 *
15628 Gonzales 2000 HA53 *
15629 Sriner 2000 HK53 *
15630 Disanti 2000 HT56 *
15631 Dellorusso 2000 HT57 *
15632 Magee-Sauer 2000 HU70 Karen Magee-Sauer, American astronomer †
15635 Andrewhager 2000 JV27 *
15651 Tlepolemos 9612 P-L *
15663 Periphas 4168 T-2 *
15672 Sato-Norio 1977 EX7 Sato-Norio, 19th-century Japanese educator †
15673 Chetaev 1978 PV2 *
15675 Goloseevo 1978 SP5 *
15691 Maslov 1982 TF1 *
15695 Fedorshpig 1985 RJ5 Fedor Ivanovich Shpig, Ukrainian economist, and president of the Ukraine amateur football association †
15,701–15,800
15710 Böcklin 1989 AV6 *
15716 Narahara 1989 WY1 Hiroshi Narahara, Japanese coach for the Chunichi Dragons baseball team, and a friend of the first discoverer †
15723 Girraween 1990 SA2 Girraween National Park, Queensland, Australia †
15724 Zille 1990 TW3 *
15727 Ianmorison 1990 TO9 *
15728 Karlmay 1990 TG11 *
15729 Yumikoitahana 1990 UB *
15732 Vitusbering 1990 VZ5 Vitus Bering, Danish navigator and explorer †
15735 Andakerkhoven 1990 WF2 Melisande T. M. "Anda" Kerkhoven, 20th-century Dutch medical student at Groningen University, active in the Dutch Resistance during World War II †
15740 Hyakumangoku 1991 EG1 Japanese for the « one million koku domain », the nickname of the wealthy Kaga han (Kaga Province) in the Edo period †
15752 Eluard 1992 BD2 Paul Éluard, 20th-century French surrealist poet †
15761 Schumi 1992 SM16 *
15762 Rühmann 1992 SR24 Heinz Rühmann, German actor*
15766 Strahlenberg 1993 BD13 Philip Johan von Strahlenberg, Swedish officer and geographer †
15779 Scottroberts 1993 OA3 *
15790 Keizan 1993 TC *
15,801–15,900
15804 Yenisei 1994 EY5 Yenisei river, flowing from near the Mongolian border to eventually join the Kara Sea †
15808 Zelter 1994 GF10 *
15811 Nüsslein-Volhard 1994 ND1 Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, German geneticist and Nobelist †*
15817 Lucianotesi 1994 QC Luciano Tesi, Italian amateur astronomer †
15818 DeVeny 1994 RO7 *
15819 Alisterling 1994 SN9 Alister Ling, Canadian amateur astronomer †*
15834 McBride 1995 CT1 Neil McBride, British astronomer †
15837 Mariovalori 1995 DG13 *
15838 Auclair 1995 FU12 Raymond Auclair, Canadian amateur astronomer †
15841 Yamaguchi 1995 OX *
15845 Bambi 1995 UC17 Bambi, fictional young deer in Walt Disney's 1942 animated eponymous film †
15846 Billfyfe 1995 UK28 William Fyfe, Canadian geochemist †
15849 Billharper 1995 YM10 Bill Harper, Canadian philosopher of science † ‡*
15851 Chrisfleming 1996 AD10 Chris Fleming, Canadian amateur astronomer † ‡*
15854 Numa 1996 CX2 *
15860 Siráň 1996 HO Gustáv Siráň, Slovak geophysicist †
15861 Ispahan 1996 HB12 Ispahan, Iran †
15868 Akiyoshidai 1996 OL *
15869 Tullius 1996 PL *
15870 Obůrka 1996 QD Oto Obůrka, Czech astronomer †
15887 Daveclark 1997 ER26 David L. Clark, Canadian amateur astronomer † ‡*
15890 Prachatice 1997 GY Prachatice, a town in southern Bohemia, the Czech Republic †
15896 Birkhoff 1997 LX5 George Birkhoff, American mathematician †*
15897 Beňačková 1997 PD3 Gabriela Beňačková, Slovak soprano †
15898 Kharasterteam 1997 QP *
15899 Silvain 1997 RR1 *
15,901–16,000
15902 Dostál 1997 RA9 Víta Dostál, Czech farmer and globetrotting cyclist, first Czech to cycle alone 60,000 km around the world †
15904 Halstead 1997 SD11 *
15905 Berthier 1997 SV15 *
15907 Robot 1997 TG10 Robot, word coined by Josef Čapek †
15911 Davidgauthier 1997 TL21 David Gauthier, philosopher
15913 Telemachus 1997 TZ27 Telemachus, Greek mythological figure*
15918 Thereluzia 1997 UE9 *
15921 Kintaikyo 1997 VP *
15922 Masajisaito 1997 VR Masaji Saito, Japanese architectural restorer, free-lance photographer and amateur astronomer †
15929 Ericlinton 1997 WQ11 Eric Clinton, Canadian amateur astronomer †*
15938 Bohnenblust 1997 YA8 Frederic Bohnenblust (Henri Frederic Bohnenblust) (1906-2000), Swiss-born American mathematician*
15939 Fessenden 1997 YP8 Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, Canadian engineer, physicist, and inventor †*
15941 Stevegauthier 1997 YX15 Steve Gauthier, Canadian amateur astronomer †*
15945 Raymondavid 1998 AZ5 *
15946 Satinský 1998 AP7 Július Satinský, Slovak comedian †
15947 Milligan 1998 AL10 *
15949 Rhaeticus 1998 BQ Rheticus (Georg Joachim von Lauchen), Austrian humanist, physician, mathematician and astronomer † ‡
15950 Dallago 1998 BA2 *
15955 Johannesgmunden 1998 BS13 Johannes von Gmunden, Austrian priest, humanist, mathematician and astronomer †
15957 Gemoore 1998 BB27 G. E. Moore, English philosopher
15960 Hluboká 1998 CH Hluboká nad Vltavou, château in South Bohemia †
15963 Koeberl 1998 CY3 Christian Koeberl, Austrian professor of geochemistry and cosmochemistry †
15964 Billgray 1998 DU Bill Gray, American astronomical software programmer, publisher of the Guide series of star-charting software, and of the GSC-ACT star catalog †
15965 Robertcox 1998 DU7 Robert E. Cox, American long time editor of Gleanings for ATMs (Amateur Telescope Makers) in Sky & Telescope magazine †
15967 Clairearmstrong 1998 DN20 Claire Armstrong, collaborator and wife of the discoverer, supernova hunter M. Armstrong †
15969 Charlesgreen 1998 EW11 Charles Green, 18th-century British astronomer, who observed the 1769 transit of Venus from Tahiti †
15971 Hestroffer 1998 FA11 Daniel Hestroffer, French astronomer †
15986 Fienga 1998 XU1 Agnes Fienga, French astronomer †
15992 Cynthia 1998 YL4 Cynthia Hug, the discoverer's wife; Cynthia is also an alternate name for the Moon goddess Artemis (from her birthplace, Mount Cynthus on Delos), and this minor planet was imaged many times with the Moon above the horizon †
Preceded by
14,001–15,000		 Meanings of minor planet names
List of minor planets: 15,001–16,000		 Succeeded by
16,001–17,000