This minor planet was named after Heracles, the divine gatekeeper of the Olympus and one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, known for his strength and his Twelve Labors. Heracles is the son of Zeus and Alcmena, after whom the asteroids 5731 Zeus and 82 Alkmene were named. In the Roman adaptation, Heracles is known as Hercules. The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 14 July 1992 (M.P.C. 20523).