It is named after the astronomer John Birmingham (not, as is often stated, the British city nor its Alabama namesake).

The crater is located near the northern limb of the Moon, and so is viewed from the Earth at a low angle.

All that survives of the original formation is an irregular perimeter of low, indented ridges surrounding the lava-resurfaced interior.

The Birmingham formation lies just to the north of the Mare Frigoris, and to the east of the walled plain W. Bond.

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Birmingham.