This minor planet was named by the discoverer from Greek mythology after Poulydamas, the closest counselor and strategist of the Trojan prince Hector, after whom the minor planet 624 Hektor is named. Hector and Poulydamas were born on the same night. While the gods gave Hector the ability to perfectly master his arms, Poulydamas was given the present of better judgment. It was Poulydamas who urged to lock the gates of Troy against Achilles , but Hector left the city and confronted him nonetheless, which led to his doom and to the city's eventual downfall during the Trojan War. The official naming citation was published on 28 April 1991 ().
