Element Name Origin Flashcards
1
Q
Hydrogen
A
From the Greek for ‘water-forming’
2
Q
Helium
A
From the Greek for ‘sun’
3
Q
Lithium
A
From the Greek for ‘stone’
4
Q
Beryllium
A
From the name for a mineral whose varieties include emerald and aquamarine
5
Q
Boron
A
From the name for a soft white, soluble mineral first discovered in dry lake beds in Tibet and imported via the Silk Road
6
Q
From the Greek for ‘water-forming’
A
Hydrogen
7
Q
From the Greek for ‘sun’
A
Helium
8
Q
From the Greek for ‘stone’
A
Lithium
9
Q
From the name for a mineral whose varieties include emerald and aquamarine
A
Beryllium
10
Q
From the name for a soft white, soluble mineral first discovered in dry lake beds in Tibet and imported via the Silk Road
A
Boron
11
Q
Carbon
A
From the Latin for ‘coal’
12
Q
From the Latin for ‘coal’
A
Carbon
13
Q
Nitrogen
A
From the Greek for ‘saltpeter-forming’
14
Q
From the Greek for ‘saltpeter-forming’
A
Nitrogen
15
Q
Oxygen
A
From the Greek for ‘acid-forming’
16
Q
From the Greek for ‘acid-forming’
A
Oxygen
17
Q
Fluorine
A
From the Latin for ‘to flow’
18
Q
From the Latin for ‘to flow’
A
Fluorine
19
Q
Neon
A
From the Greek for ‘new’
20
Q
From the Greek for ‘new’
A
Neon
21
Q
Sodium
A
From the Arabic for ‘headache’ as one of its compounds was once widely used as a treatment for headaches
22
Q
From the Arabic for ‘headache’ as one of its compounds was once widely used as a treatment for headaches
A
Sodium
23
Q
Magnesium
A
From the name of a district in Thessaly in Greece
24
Q
From the name of a district in Thessaly in Greece
A
Magnesium
25
Aluminum
From the Latin for 'bitter salt'
26
From the Latin for 'bitter salt'
Aluminum
27
Silicon
From the Latin for 'flint'
28
From the Latin for 'flint'
Silicon
29
Phosphorus
From the Greek for 'light-bearing'
30
From the Greek for 'light-bearing'
Phosphorus
31
Sulfur
From the Latin for 'brimstone'
32
From the Latin for 'brimstone'
Sulfur
33
Chlorine
From the Greek for 'greenish yellow'
34
From the Greek for 'greenish yellow'
Chlorine
35
Argon
From the Greek for 'idle'
36
From the Greek for 'idle'
Argon
37
Potassium
From the Latin for the mined and manufactured (from plant ashes) salts that contained the element
38
From the Latin for the mined and manufactured (from plant ashes) salts that contained the element
Potassium
39
Calcium
From the Latin for 'lime'
40
From the Latin for 'lime'
Calcium
41
Scandium
From an early name used for the Scandinavian Peninsula by the first cartographers
42
From an early name used for the Scandinavian Peninsula by the first cartographers
Scandium
43
Titanium
From the name for the sons of the Earth goddess of Greek mythology
44
From the name for the sons of the Earth goddess of Greek mythology
Titanium
45
Vanadium
From an Old Norse name for the Scandinavian goddess Freyja
46
From an Old Norse name for the Scandinavian goddess Freyja
Vanadium
47
Chromium
From the Greek for 'colour'
48
From the Greek for 'colour'
Chromium
49
Manganese
From the Latin for 'magnet'
50
From the Latin for 'magnet'
Manganese
51
Iron
From the Proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European for 'strong'
52
From the Proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European for 'strong'
Iron
53
Cobalt
From the German for 'goblin'
54
From the German for 'goblin'
Cobalt
55
Nickel
From the name for a mischievous sprite of German miner mythology
56
From the name for a mischievous sprite of German miner mythology
Nickel
57
Copper
From the English, ultimately from the Greek for 'Cyprus'
58
From the English, ultimately from the Greek for 'Cyprus'
Copper
59
Zinc
Most likely from the German for 'prong' or 'tooth'
60
Most likely from the German for 'prong' or 'tooth'
Zinc
61
Gallium
From the Latin name for France
62
From the Latin name for France
Gallium
63
Germanium
From the Latin name for Germany
64
From the Latin name for Germany
Germanium
65
Arsenic
From the French but ultimately from the Old Iranian for 'golden'
66
From the French but ultimately from the Old Iranian for 'golden'
Arsenic
67
Selenium
From the Greek for 'moon'
68
From the Greek for 'moon'
Selenium
69
Bromine
From the Greek for 'stench'
70
From the Greek for 'stench'
Bromine
71
Krypton
From the Greek for 'hidden'
72
From the Greek for 'hidden'
Krypton
73
Rubidium
From the Latin for 'deep red'
74
From the Latin for 'deep red'
Rubidium
75
Strontium
From the name of a village in Scotland
76
From the name of a village in Scotland
Strontium
77
Yttrium
From the name of a village in Sweden
78
From the name of a village in Sweden (Element 39)
Yttrium (from 'Ytterby')
79
Zirconium
From the name of a silicate mineral that is sometimes used as a substitute for diamond
80
From the name of a silicate mineral that is sometimes used as a substitute for diamond
Zirconium
81
Niobium
From the name of the daughter of king Tantalus from Greek mythology
82
From the name of the daughter of king Tantalus from Greek mythology
Niobium
83
Molybdenum
From the Greek for 'piece of lead'
84
From the Greek for 'piece of lead'
Molybdenum
85
Technetium
From the Greek for 'artificial'
86
From the Greek for 'artificial'
Technetium
87
Ruthenium
From the medieval Latin for Eastern Slavic lands
88
From the medieval Latin for Eastern Slavic lands
Ruthenium
89
Rhodium
From the Greek for 'rose-coloured'
90
From the Greek for 'rose-coloured'
Rhodium
91
Palladium
From the name of an asteroid, considered a planet at the time
92
From the name of an asteroid, considered a planet at the time
Palladium
93
Silver
From the proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately of unknown origin but possibly from the Akkadian for 'refined'
94
From the proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately of unknown origin but possibly from the Akkadian for 'refined'
Silver
95
Cadmium
From the name of the founder and first king of Thebes
96
From the name of the founder and first king of Thebes
Cadmium
97
Indium
From the Latin for 'indigo' (colour found in its spectrum)
98
From the Latin for 'indigo' (colour found in its spectrum)
Indium
99
Tin
From the proto-Germanic name for the material, not found in Indo-European
100
From the proto-Germanic name for the material, not found in Indo-European
Tin
101
Antimony
Of unknown origin but possibility from the Greek for 'against' and 'alone'
102
Of unknown origin but possibility from the Greek for 'against' and 'alone'
Antimony
103
Tellurium
From the Latin for 'the ground, earth'
104
From the Latin for 'the ground, earth'
Tellurium
105
Iodine
From the Greek for 'violet'
106
From the Greek for 'violet'
Iodine
107
Xenon
From the Greek for 'strange'
108
From the Greek for 'strange'
Xenon
109
Caesium
From the Latin for 'sky-blue'
110
From the Latin for 'sky-blue'
Caesium
111
Barium
From the Greek for 'heavy'
112
From the Greek for 'heavy'
Barium
113
Lanthanum
From the Greek for 'to lie hidden'
114
From the Greek for 'to lie hidden'
Lanthanum
115
Cerium
From the name for a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt, considered a planet at the time
116
From the name for a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt, considered a planet at the time
Cerium
117
Praseodymium
From the Greek for 'green twin'
118
From the Greek for 'green twin'
Praseodymium
119
Neodymium
From the Greek for 'new twin'
120
From the Greek for 'new twin'
Neodymium
121
Promethium
From the name of the Titan of Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity
122
From the name of the Titan of Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity
Promethium
123
Samarium
From the name of a mineral named after a Russian mine official
124
From the name of a mineral named after a Russian mine official
Samarium
125
Europium
From the name of a continent
126
From the name of a continent
Europium
127
Gadolinium
From the name of a mineral named after a Finnish chemist, physicist and mineralogist
128
From the name of a mineral named after a Finnish chemist, physicist and mineralogist
Gadolinium
129
Terbium
From the name of a village in Sweden
130
From the name of a village in Sweden (Element 65)
Terbium (from 'Ytterby')
131
Dysprosium
From the Greek for 'hard to get'
132
From the Greek for 'hard to get'
Dysprosium
133
Holmium
From the Latin name for discoverer Per Teodor Cleve's home town
134
From the Latin name for discoverer Per Teodor Cleve's home town
Holmium (from 'Stockholm')
135
Erbium
From the name of a village in Sweden
136
From the name of a village in Sweden (Element 68)
Erbium (from 'Ytterby')
137
Thulium
From the ancient name for an unclear northern location
138
From the ancient name for an unclear northern location
Thulium (from 'Thule')
139
Ytterbium
From the name of a village in Sweden
140
From the name of a village in Sweden (Element 70)
Ytterbium (from 'Ytterby')
141
Lutetium
From the Latin name for Paris
142
From the Latin name for Paris
Lutetium
143
Hafnium
From the Latin name for the Danish city where it was discovered
144
From the Latin name for the Danish city where it was discovered
Hafnium (from 'Copenhagen')
145
Tantalum
From the name of a Greek mythological king famous for his eternal punishment in Tartarus
146
From the name of a Greek mythological king famous for his eternal punishment in Tartarus
Tantalum
147
Tungsten
From the Swedish for 'heavy stone'
148
From the Swedish for 'heavy stone'
Tungsten
149
Rhenium
From the Latin name for a major European river
150
From the Latin name for a major European river
Rhenium (from 'Rhine')
151
Osmium
From the Greek for 'smell'
152
From the Greek for 'smell'
Osmium
153
Iridium
From the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow
154
From the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow
Iridium
155
Platinum
From the Spanish for 'little silver'
156
From the Spanish for 'little silver'
Platinum
157
Gold
From Proto-Germanic, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European for 'shine'
158
From Proto-Germanic, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European for 'shine'
Gold
159
Mercury
From the name of a Roman god of commerce and communication, known for his speed
160
From the name of a Roman god of commerce and communication, known for his speed
Mercury
161
Thallium
From the Greek for 'green shoot or twig'
162
From the Greek for 'green shoot or twig'
Thallium
163
Lead
From the Proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately of unknown origin
164
From the Proto-Germanic name for the material, ultimately of unknown origin
Lead
165
Bismuth
From the German for 'white mass'
166
From the German for 'white mass'
Bismuth
167
Polonium
From the Latin name for the home country of Marie Curie
168
From the Latin name for the home country of Marie Curie
Polonium (from 'Poland')
169
Astatine
From the Greek for 'unstable'
170
From the Greek for 'unstable'
Astatine
171
Radon
From the name of the element of which it is the immediate decay product
172
From the name of the element of which it is the immediate decay product
Radon (from 'radium')
173
Francium
From the name for the European country where it was discovered
174
From the name for the European country where it was discovered
Francium (from 'France')
175
Radium
From the Latin for 'ray'
176
From the Latin for 'ray'
Radium
177
Actinium
From the Greek for 'ray'
178
From the Greek for 'ray'
Actinium
179
Thorium
From the name of the Scandinavian god of thunder
180
From the name of the Scandinavian god of thunder
Thorium (from 'Thor')
181
Protactinium
From the Greek for 'first, before' + the name of the element produced by its the radioactive decay
182
From the Greek for 'first, before' + the name of the element produced by its the radioactive decay
Protactinium (from 'actinium')
183
Uranium
From the name of the seventh planet in the Solar System
184
From the name of the seventh planet in the Solar System
Uranium
185
From the name of the eighth planet in the Solar System
Neptunium
186
Neptunium
From the name of the eighth planet in the Solar System
187
Plutonium
From the name of the dwarf planet that was considered the ninth planet in the Solar System at the time
188
From the name of the dwarf planet that was considered the ninth planet in the Solar System at the time
Plutonium
189
Americium
From the name of the continent where the element was first synthesised
190
From the name of the continent where the element was first synthesised
Americium (from 'America')
191
Curium
From the name of a family of French physicists and chemists
192
From the name of a family of French physicists and chemists
Curium (from 'Curie')
193
Berkelium
From the name of the city in California where the element was first synthesized
194
From the name of the city in California where the element was first synthesized
Berkelium (from 'Berkeley')
195
Californium
From the name of the U.S. state where the element was first synthesised
196
From the name of the U.S. state where the element was first synthesised
Californium (from 'California')
197
Einsteinium
From the name of the German physicist known for, among other things, his mass-energy equivalence equation
198
From the name of the German physicist known for, among other things, his mass-energy equivalence equation
Einsteinium (from 'Einstein')
199
Fermium
From the name of an Italian physicist
200
From the name of an Italian physicist
Fermium (from 'Fermi')
201
Mendelevium
From the name of the Russian chemist and inventor who proposed the periodic table
202
From the name of the Russian chemist and inventor who proposed the periodic table
Mendelevium (from 'Mendelev')
203
Nobelium
From the name of a Swedish chemist and engineer
204
From the name of a Swedish chemist and engineer
Nobelium (from 'Nobel')
205
Lawrencium
From the name of an American physicist and inventor of the cyclotron
206
From the name of an American physicist and inventor of the cyclotron
Lawrencium (from 'Lawrence')
207
Rutherfordium
From the name of the physicist from New Zealand who is considered the founder of nuclear physics
208
From the name of the physicist from New Zealand who is considered the founder of nuclear physics
Rutherfordium (from 'Rutherford')
209
Dubnium
From the name of the town in Russia where the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research is located
210
From the name of the town in Russia where the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research is located
Dubnium (from 'Dubna')
211
Seaborgium
From the name of an American chemist involved in the discovery of 10 transuranium elements
212
From the name of an American chemist involved in the discovery of 10 transuranium elements
Seaborgium (from 'Seaborg')
213
Bohrium
From the name of a Danish physicist
214
From the name of a Danish physicist
Bohrium (from 'Bohr')
215
Hassium
From the Latin name for a state in Germany
216
From the Latin name for a state in Germany
Hassium (from 'Hesse')
217
Meitnerium
From the name of an Austrian physicist, one of those who first discovered nuclear fission
218
From the name of an Austrian physicist, one of those who first discovered nuclear fission
Meitnerium (from 'Meitner')
219
Darmstadtium
From the name of the city in Germany where the element was first synthesised
220
From the name of the city in Germany where the element was first synthesised
Darmstadtium (from 'Darmstadt')
221
Roentgenium
From the name of the German physicist who discovered radioactivity
222
From the name of the German physicist who discovered radioactivity
Roentgenium (from 'Roentgen')
223
Copernicium
From the name of a Polish astronomer
224
From the name of a Polish astronomer
Copernicium (from 'Copernicius')
225
Nihonium
From the Japanese name Japan (where the element was first synthesised)
226
From the Japanese name for Japan (where the element was first synthesised)
Nihonium
227
Flerovium
From the name of the laboratory where the element was synthesised, ultimately named after a Russian physicist
228
From the name of the laboratory where the element was synthesised, ultimately named after a Russian physicist
Flerovium
229
Moscovium
From the name for the Russia city where the element was first synthesised
230
From the name for the Russia city where the element was first synthesised
Moscovium (from 'Moscow')
231
Livermorium
From the name for the Californian laboratory which collaborated on its synthesis, ultimately named for the town
232
From the name for the Californian laboratory which collaborated on its synthesis, ultimately named for the town
Livermorium (from 'Livermore')
233
Tennessine
From the name of a southern U.S. state
234
From the name of a southern U.S. state
Tennessine (from 'Tennessee')
235
Oganesson
From the name of a Russian physicist who is one of the world's leading researcher on superheavy elements
236
From the name of a Russian physicist who is one of the world's leading researcher on superheavy elements
Oganesson (from 'Oganessian')
