Meaning and background
The story behind Alhena
Alhena is the traditional name of Gamma Geminorum, a bright star in the constellation Gemini. Astronomical accounts derive the name from an Arabic expression referring to a brand placed on a camel’s neck. That imagery is an account of the star name, not a modern given name meaning “beautiful star”. The name makes a distinctive sky-related choice when its actual historical background is explained accurately.
- Origin
- Traditional stellar name of Gamma Geminorum, derived from an Arabic expression referring to a brand on a camel’s neck. Source
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About Alhena
Recorded as a dog’s name
Alhena appears in 2 dog licence records in the 2023 New York City dataset.
How to read this count
These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.
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Sources and research notes (2)
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.
- City of Seattle Seattle Pet Licenses — DOG-only name aggregate, current source dated 6 October 2026 — Secondary spelling corroboration from dog-only licence rows. No cats, owner fields, national ranking or unique-dog claim.
References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.