[2] Based on parallax measurements obtained during the Hipparcos mission, it is located at a distance of approximately 85 light-years from the Sun, but is drifting closer with a radial velocity of −32 km/s.

The stellar classification of Gamma Boötis is A7IV+(n),[2] matching an A-type star with somewhat "nebulous" lines due to rapid rotation.

On average, the star is radiating 33.4 times the luminosity of the Sun[9] from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 7,800 K.[10] The system displays a statistically significant infrared excess due to a circumstellar disk.

[21] Gamma Boötis bore the traditional name Ceginus (later Seginus), from cheguius or theguius, apparently Latin mistranscriptions of an Arabic rendering of Greek Boötes.

The WGSN decided to attribute proper names to individual stars rather than entire multiple systems.

[14] Gamma Boötis was listed as Haris in Bečvář, apparently derived from the Arabic name of the constellation of Boötes, Al-Haris Al-Sama meaning "the guard of the north".