When you think of Pluto, you probably assume it was named by astronomers. Given that it's the most recently discovered planet - found in 1930 - you might think it was named to fit the existing scheme, in which all the planets were named after Greek or Roman gods.
You'd be wrong. The name was first suggested on a whim by a 12-year-old British schoolgirl during breakfast. That girl would be Venetia Burney, who came up with it in March 1930, shortly after the planet was discovered.
(via Nag on the Lake)
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