Named in appreciation of the long and continuing support of the Lowell Observatory by members of the Putnam family, in particular Roger Lowell Putnam (1893–1972) and Michael C. J. Putnam, father and son, successive trustees of the Lowell Observatory. (M 6835) _ _.
Discovered on 26-9-1981 in Anderson Mesa by Skiff, B. A., Thomas, N. G.