On what would have been the footballer's 60th birthday, Belfast City Airport became the George Best Belfast City Airport.
Family, friends and fans were among more than 200 people who attended the ceremony.
Best's signature has been added to the front of the airport's name in a tribute that his sister, Barbara McNarry, said "means everything to us". "We are delighted that the airport, situated close to the family home in east Belfast, will now act as a permanent memorial to honour George," she added.
Airport chief executive Brian Ambrose said the renaming would provide a lasting memory of Northern Ireland's most famous footballer.
"Our decision to rename in honour of George Best has resulted in an unprecedented level of interest, with messages of support from across the world," he said.
Mr Ambrose said the airport would soon erect a permanent fixture inside the terminal where the public could donate to the George Best Foundation, a charity established to fund research into liver disease and promote youth football.
