The Polish scientific astronomical terminology has never been the subject of a linguistic analysis. This article presents its origins and history. Astronomical vocabulary appeared already in Old Polish (e.g. 'niebo' (sky), 'slonce' (sun), 'ksiezyc' (moon), 'gwiazda' (star), etc.). Later it was introduced into prognoses and calendars, as well as astrological works. It figured prominently in publications dealing with the reform of the calendar and interpretations of rare astronomical phenomena, as well as in works on comets, which were popular in 17th century. In the 18th century, astronomical vocabulary appeared in various kinds of handbooks and finally, in the first scientific studies on astronomy. The first dictionary of astronomical terms was compiled in the 19th century, but it was never published. The astronomical terms similar to the terms used today were introduced as late as the end of the 19th century.