Cristiano Ronaldo's famous CR7 nickname inspired the name of a galaxy. Here's its origin and how it got its name

Scientists named one of the Universe's most well-known galaxies Cosmic Redshift 7, or CR7, in 2015, giving it a title that reflected both its astronomical characteristics and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's famous nickname. More than a decade later, in 2026, the galaxy continues to attract attention because of its unusual name and its significance in helping researchers study the early Universe. Although the name honours the coincidence, Ronaldo had no role in the galaxy's discovery or scientific research.

Why the galaxy is called CR7

Cosmic Redshift 7 derives its name from its astronomical properties. In astronomy, "redshift" measures how much a galaxy's light has stretched as the Universe expanded. A higher redshift indicates that an object is farther away and dates back further in cosmic history.

The abbreviation CR7 was deliberately chosen because it matched Ronaldo's well-known nickname. Lead astronomer David Sobral later confirmed that the football reference was intentional.

What is Cosmic Redshift 7?

CR7 is among the brightest galaxies identified from the early Universe. Located more than 13 billion light years away, it is observed as it existed over 800 million years after the Big Bang. The galaxy was discovered in 2015 using the Very Large Telescope in Chile.

Why astronomers were interested in CR7

Researchers found CR7 unusually bright for a galaxy at such a great distance. Its light initially suggested it could contain some of the earliest stars ever formed.

Galaxies such as CR7 help scientists understand how the first galaxies formed and evolved after the Big Bang.

Cristiano Ronaldo's connection

Ronaldo has no scientific involvement with the galaxy or its discovery. The only link is the shared name.

Astronomers chose the abbreviation CR7 to match the football star's famous nickname and used the opportunity to acknowledge the coincidence. The name has since become one of the most recognisable in astronomical naming.

Does CR7 contain the Universe's first stars?

The galaxy initially raised hopes that it might host Population III stars, the first generation of stars composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium with virtually no carbon, oxygen or other heavier elements.

However, later observations questioned that possibility. Scientists now believe CR7 may instead contain younger stars or a growing black hole. There is still no definitive evidence that the galaxy contains Population III stars.