The system bore has the traditional name "Markab", from the Arabic مركب, "markab" meaning "something to ride". It was often spelled "Markeb" to distinguish it from similarly named stars such as Alpha Pegasi. In 2016, the IAU organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN approved the name "Markeb" for Kappa Velorum on 5 September 2017. "Markab" had previously been approved for Alpha Pegasi on 30 June 2016. Both are now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names.