Pyxis, originally part of the old, large constellation Argo Navis, was named by Abbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille during his stay at the Cape of Good Hope between 1751 and 1752. It was originally called Malus, the Mast, but Lacaille's interest in technology caused him to change it to the Pyxis Nautica, the Mariner's Compass, which was shortened to Pyxis.