The first known recorded observation of VY Canis Majoris is in the star catalogue of the French astronomer Jérôme Lalande, on 7 March 1801, which lists it as a 7th magnitude star.
VY Canis Majori esimene teadaolev vaatlus on prantsuse astronoom Jérôme Lalande tähekataloogis 7. märtsil 1801, mis loetleb selle 7. suurusjärgu tähena.