What is Polaris commonly known as?

Polaris is commonly known as the North Star due to its position nearly aligned with the Earth's rotational axis. This unique positioning makes Polaris the focal point about which the entire northern sky appears to rotate, which has historically provided navigators with a reliable reference for geographical orientation at night. Because it remains relatively fixed in the sky, travelers and mariners have relied on it to help determine their latitude and navigate.

The other options refer to different celestial bodies: The Southern Star relates to stars in the southern hemisphere; the Evening Star is often used to refer to Venus when it appears in the western sky after sunset; and the Morning Star is another name for Venus when it’s visible in the eastern sky at dawn. These distinctions highlight why Polaris is specifically identified as the North Star.