Original: This prominent southern star commonly bears the proper name Rigil Kentaurus ( often shortened to Rigil Kent , former Rigjl Kentaurus ; Riguel Kentaurus in Portuguese ) , derived from the Arabic phrase Rijl QantÅ '' ris ( or Rijl al-Qant Å '' ris , meaning '' Foot of the Centaur ) '' , but is most often referred to by its Bayer designation Alpha Centauri .
Simplified: Its proper name is Rigil Kentaurus ( often shortened to Rigil Kent ) , which comes from the Arabic phrase Al Rijl al Kentaurus , meaning '' foot of the centaur '' , but is usually referred to by its Bayer name Alpha Centauri .