As minor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by the IAU's Minor Planet Center (MPC), 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 number-range that have received names, and explains the meanings of those names.
Official naming citations of newly named small Solar System bodies are published in MPC's Minor Planet Circulars several times a year.[1] Recent citations can also be found on the JPL Small-Body Database (SBDB).[2] Until his death in 2016, German astronomer Lutz D. Schmadel compiled these citations into the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (DMP) and regularly updated the collection.[3][4] Based on Paul Herget's The Names of the Minor Planets,[5] Schmadel also researched the unclear origin of numerous asteroids, most of which had been named prior to World War II. Meanings marked with * are from legacy sources may not be accurate. This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "SBDB".
Jeff Medkeff, American designer of software for robotic operations of observatories, telescope control, data reduction and automatic submission of results to the Minor Planet Center†
Fuchu is the name of the place where Kokuhu (the ancient Japanese provincial government office) was located. Fuchu City in Tokyo Metropolis has been called Musashi Fuchu, because it was the Kokuhu of the province of Musashi. Its name symbolizes the history and culture of the city.
Denchukun is the official mascot character of Ibara city, Okayama, Japan. Its name originates from Denchu Hirakushi, a sculptor born in Ibara. Its shape represents a star in the famous Kabuki play Kagami-Jishi.
Yuen Kwok-yung (born 1956) is a Hong Kong microbiologist, physician and surgeon, with over 700 publications in peer reviewed journals. During the global outbreak of SARS in 2003, he led his team in the discovery of the SARS coronavirus, being honored as "Asian heroes of the year" in the 2013 April issue of Time Asia.
Wong Ka Kui (1962–1993) was a Hong Kong singer and songwriter, best known for being the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band Beyond, which he founded.
Roger Wiens (born 1960) is deeply involved in space missions. He is the Principal Investigator behind ChemCam, a laser spectroscopy instrument on board the Mars Curiosity Rover. Name and citation provided by S. Le Mouelic.
Luca Pacciorini (born 1958), his partner Cristina Conedera (born 1965) and their two children, Letizia (born 2000) and Martino (born 2002), are friends of the discoverer.
Yao Beina (1981–2015) was a talented and courageous Chinese singer who won numerous awards for the best Chinese pop song performance. One of Yao's famous songs, "Fire of the Heart", was about the reflections on her battle with breast cancer. She donated her corneas.