What are planets named after
The 5 planets visible to the eye have been known for all human history, and have therefore had many names in different cultures. Eventually except for Earth, the names of the planets came to be from Roman and Greek mythology, like much else we have inherited.
Then when Uranus was discovered this tradition was already established, although its discoverer Herschel wanted to call it planet George, after the King. What a cringe.
When Pluto was discovered there was a sort of unofficial poll or contest, with the result we know, because Pluto is the god of the underworld, cold and dark.
http://rome.mrdonn.org/romangods/planets.html
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