In Delphinus (The Dolphin) the alpha and beta stars have the unusual names, Sualocin and Rotanev. These names first appeared in the Palermo Observatory star catalogue which was published in 1814. At that time the director of the Palermo Observatory was Giuseppe Piazzi (1746-1826), but he had been unable to observe since 1807 due to an eye disorder. The observational work was in the hands of his deputy, Niccolo Cacciatore (1780-1841). It appears that Cacciatore used the Latinized version of his name to give names to the two brightest stars in Delphinus.
Cacciatore means 'hunter' and the Latin for hunter is 'Venator'. So, Latinized, his name was Nicolaus Venator which when reversed gives Sualocin and Rotanev. This was first unravelled by the Rev. Thomas William Webb (1807-1885).
It could also be that the choice to name stars in Delphinus was significant. In French dolphin is 'dauphin' used as the title for the heir to the French King. Cacciatore was the heir to Piazzi and therefore was the 'dauphin' of the Observatory! (See 'Sky and Telescope' v.67 (1984) p.204).
