The naming of the planet now known as Uranus was a complicated and lengthy process. Credited discoverer William Herschel initially wanted to name it Georgius Sidus (“George’s Star”), in honor of then King George III. Needless to say, this choice was not popular outside Great Britain and many alternatives were proposed. French astronomer Jerome Lalande used flattery to influence Herschel, by proposing that the planet be named for Herschel himself. Finally, Johann Elert Bode proposed Uranus, the mythical father of Saturn (just as Saturn was the father of Jupiter) . This was widely accepted in short order, but HM Nautical Almanac Office persisted with Georgium Sidus until 1850.
The element uranium, discovered in 1789, was named for the newly discovered planet.