Named after Francois Vieta - French mathematician (1540-1603).
Vieta is a lunar impact crater that lies due north of the walled plain Schickard, in the southwestern part. About half a crater diameter to the southeast is the smaller Fourier, and to the north-northeast lies Cavendish. The outer rim of this crater has undergone some impact erosion, and small craters lie along the northeast, south, and north-northwestern sides. The inner walls are irregular, with incised bases in some locations. (wikipedia entry)
A crater is a circular depression likely created by an impact event. On the Moon they are named after deceased scientists, polar explorers, astronauts or cosmonauts.