This minor planet was named in honor of American geomorphologist Robert P. Sharp (1911-2004), American professor of geology at CalTech, expert on glaciers, the movement of sand dunes and the geology of Mars. The Martian crater Robert Sharp and mountain Mount Sharp (now officially Aeolis Mons), were named in his honor. Mount Sharp rises from the middle of Gale Crater, which is explored by the Mars Curiosity rover since 2012. The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 17 March 1995 (M.P.C. 24917).