Initially designated 2001 HC16, the asteroid was given its present name by the International Astronomical Union in honor of American actress Nana Visitor, who is best known for playing Kira Nerys on the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
An asteroid discovered one day earlier by Yeung was given the name 26733 Nanavisitor by the IAU in honor of Farrell's DS9 co-star, Nana Visitor.