A ridge runs from the western side of this intruding feature to the midpoint of the interior of Chauvenet.

There is a shelf of slumped material forming a terrace along the southeast inner wall.

The crater was named after American astronomer and mathematician William Chauvenet by the IAU in 1970.

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

The name Cornielle was proposed for Chauvenet S crater,[3] but it was not approved by the IAU.