<p>None of these things were named after chocolate.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way">Milky Way</a></strong></p>

<p>The name comes from a Greek myth, at the end of which Hera - Zeus' wife - spills her breast milk. In places where the sky has not been affected by light pollution, the Milky Way looks like a milky-white streak. Hence the name.</p>

<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_(chocolate_bar)">The chocolate of the same name</a> was introduced in 1923. Apparently, <a href="http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/sweet-milky-way-bar-celebrates-85th-anniversary/">it was not named after our home galaxy</a>, but after a milk shake of a similar name.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy">Galaxy</a></strong></p>

<p>The Greek word <em>γαλαξίας</em> (<em>galaxias</em>) is closely tied to the Milky Way (because, for a long, long time, other galaxies were considered nebulae - "island universes"). It's English translation is "milky one" - a nod to the same Greek myth.</p>

<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_(chocolate)">The chocolate of the same name</a> was introduced in 1960.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars">Mars</a></strong></p>

<p>Mars was a Roman god, not a Greek one (his Greek equivalent is Ares, I think). The name dates back for millennia - indeed, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mars_observation">the Greeks associated Ares with the planet</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(chocolate_bar)">The chocolate of the same name</a> was introduced in 1932.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-19T14:37:26.140Z
Both of Mars's moons Phobos and Deimos were discovered in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall, so they were named much later than Mars itself.
mbomb007
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-03T10:07:07.727Z
The Greek equivalent for Mars is indeed Arès, hence the name of the two Mars' satellites. Phobos and Deimos were the two horses of Arès ;)
Nico
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-21T20:52:15.847Z
2015-02-21T20:52:15.847Z
HDE 226868
<p>Like the title says, why are a few things in our universe named after chocolate?</p>

<p>For example, there are the <em>Milky Way</em>, <em>galaxy</em> and <em>Mars</em>. </p>

<p>Is there a reason for this or not? Or is it that the chocolates were named after them?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-21T20:23:12.283Z
The latter (of course), unless you think the Romans were eating Mars bars...
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-21T20:30:36.993Z
True! Didn't think of that!
iProgram
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-21T20:48:39.607Z
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is not a real question
Rory Alsop
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-21T22:26:32.717Z
@RoryAlsop I see what you mean and since I cant delete it my self (due to there being answers) I have flagged it off topic too.
iProgram
<galaxy><milky-way><mars><naming>
Why are a few things in our universe named after chocolate?
iProgram
# Why are a few things in our universe named after chocolate?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-21)

Like the title says, why are a few things in our universe named after chocolate?

For example, there are the *Milky Way*, *galaxy* and *Mars*.

Is there a reason for this or not? Or is it that the chocolates were named after them?

**Tags:** galaxy, milky-way, mars, naming

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The latter (of course), unless you think the Romans were eating Mars bars...  
> **username_0**: True! Didn't think of that!  
> **username_2**: I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is not a real question  
> **username_0**: @RoryAlsop I see what you mean and since I cant delete it my self (due to there being answers) I have flagged it off topic too.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-02-21. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

None of these things were named after chocolate.

**[Milky Way](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way)**

The name comes from a Greek myth, at the end of which Hera - Zeus' wife - spills her breast milk. In places where the sky has not been affected by light pollution, the Milky Way looks like a milky-white streak. Hence the name.

[The chocolate of the same name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milky_Way_(chocolate_bar)) was introduced in 1923. Apparently, [it was not named after our home galaxy](http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/sweet-milky-way-bar-celebrates-85th-anniversary/), but after a milk shake of a similar name.

**[Galaxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy)**

The Greek word *γαλαξίας* (*galaxias*) is closely tied to the Milky Way (because, for a long, long time, other galaxies were considered nebulae - "island universes"). It's English translation is "milky one" - a nod to the same Greek myth.

[The chocolate of the same name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_(chocolate)) was introduced in 1960.

**[Mars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars)**

Mars was a Roman god, not a Greek one (his Greek equivalent is Ares, I think). The name dates back for millennia - indeed, [the Greeks associated Ares with the planet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mars_observation).

[The chocolate of the same name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(chocolate_bar)) was introduced in 1932.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: The Greek equivalent for Mars is indeed Arès, hence the name of the two Mars' satellites. Phobos and Deimos were the two horses of Arès ;)  
> **username_4**: Both of Mars's moons Phobos and Deimos were discovered in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall, so they were named much later than Mars itself.  

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