Alrai

Alrai, also known as Errai or Gamma Cephei is the naked-eye star that will follow Polaris as the Earth's northern pole star, due to the precession of the equinoxes.

Alrai will become closer to the northern celestial pole than Polaris in approximately 3000 AD, and be at its closest approach around 4000 AD. The "title" will pass to Iota Cephei some time around 5200 AD. It is a K1 III-IV class star, approximately 50 light years away. It is of magnitude 3.

Its name derives from the Arabic Al-ra'i, meaning "the shepherd".

Note that the star Beta Ophiuchi is sometimes also called Alrai, but it is more commonly known as Celbalrai or Kelb Alrai.