The name Alniyat is associated with two stars in the constellation of Scorpius. These two stars have the Bayer designations σ and τ. They are perceived as a pair because they are fainter stars of roughly equal brightness flanking the bright star Antares (an asterism similar to that formed by Altair with its neighbours in the constellation of Aquila). The use of a single proper name for two widely separated stars is potentially confusing. The bright star catalog shows a preference for applying this proper name to σ Sco rather than to τ Sco.