Element Name Origins Flashcards
Hydrogen
from Greek ‘hydro-genes” (water producer)
Helium
from Greek “helios” (Sun)
Lithium
from Greek “lithos” (stone)
Beryllium
from mineral Beryl (e.g. Emerald) in which it is found
Boron
from mineral Borax in which it is found
Carbon
from Latin “carbo” (coal)
Nitrogen
from French “nitrogene” (saltpeter/niter producing)
Oxygen
from Greek “oxys-genes” (acid producer)
Fluorine
from Latin “fluo” (to flow)
Neon
from Greek “neo” (new)
Sodium
from Arabic “suda” (headache)
Na
from “natron”, sodium compound mined in Wadi El Natrun (Natron Valley) in Egypt
Magnesium
from Magnesia, a region in Thessaly/Greece
Aluminum
from compound “alum” in which it is found
Silicon
from Latin “silex” (flint)
Phosphorus
Greek for light-bringer, Lucifer, Morning Star, Venus
Sulfur
from Latin “sulpur”
Chlorine
from Greek “chloros” (green-yellow)
Argon
from Greek for “inactive”
Potassium
from “potash”, burnt plant matter from which it was discovered
K
New Latin “kalium”, from Arabic “al-qalyah” (plant ashes)
Calcium
from Latin “calx” (lime)
Scandium
from Latin “Scandia” (Scandinavia)
Titanium
after Titans of Greek mythology
Vanadium
after Norse goddess Vanadis (Frejya)
Chromium
from Greek “chroma” (color)
Manganese
fom Magnesia, a region in Thessaly/Greece
Fe
from Latin “ferrum” (iron)
Cobalt
from German “kobold” (goblin)
Nickel
after sprite of German mythology
Copper
from Latin “cuprum” (metal of Cyprus)
Zinc
?
Gallium
from Latin “Gallia” (Gaul)
Germanium
from Latin “Germania” (Germany)
