The origin of the names of the elements

The name of elements have often perplexed me, for example why is there a selenium but no zeusium or jupitum even given the god's superior status. Similarly why is the symbol for Tungsten W and not anything beginning with a T. In this article I will be revealing the answer to all both my and your questions!! Due to there being a large number of elements and only one of me this will be a short series which will be organised by element type.

Nobel Gases

Helium:

From the Greek term helios (Ἥλιος) which both means the sun but also relates to the god. It was also assumed that it was an alkali metal, thus the -ium ending.

Neon:

Originates from the neuter form of the Greek word for new "neos" (νεος) , it was only named this as it was a new element.

Argon:

As it was observed to be largely idle it was named using the neuter form of the Greek word argos (αργος).

Krypton:

Was named using the Greek adjective kryptos (κρψπτος) meaning hidden as it was so difficult for scientists to find it.

Xenon:

From the Greek xenos (χενος) meaning foreign or strange which is rooted in the term ghosti (which lead to the term ghost), this may link to the difficulty in finding this element just as with krypton.

Radon:

Originates from the German Radon, which then comes from radium. The -on suffix indicates an inert gas. Its name links to radium as it was noticed in the radioactive decay of radium.

Halogens

Fluorine:

"Fluor", is an old chemistry term meaning highly reactive which originates from the latin fluor meaning flow. The -ine ending is just a common chemical ending.

Chlorine:

Chlor- comes from the Greek khloros (Κηλορος) meaning pale green which relates to the element's colour when in a gaseous form

Bromine:

Bromo- from the Greek bromos (Βρομος) meaning stench.

Iodine:

Iod- comes from the the Greek ioeides (ιοειδες) meaning violet which comes from the term for violet flower which links to the element's purple colour when as a gas.

Astatine:

Due to the element's radioactivity it is named from the Greek astatos (αστατος) meaning unstable, especially due to its short half life and many unstable isotopes.

Other non metals

Hydrogen:

From the French meaning water forming, hydro- being the water and -gen meaning producing.

Boron:

From the word borax, with the -on ending coming from carbon as they appeared to have similar properties. Bore meaning to perforate.

Carbon:

From the latin carbonem meaning coal or charcoal.

Nitrogen:

Originates from the Greek nitron (νιτρον) meaning sodium carbonate and the French -gen meaning forming.

Oxygen:

From Greek oxys (οχψς) meaning sharp of acid and the French ending -gen for forming.

Silicon:

From the word silica or hard silicon dioxide with an ending reflecting carbon (-on).

Phosphorus:

From the latin phosphorus meaning light bringing this is due to its ability to combust and thus bring light.

Sulphur:

Or sulfur if you're not from Britain. most likely comes from the latin meaning to burn.

Arsenic:

From the Latin arsenicum and the Greek arsenikon (αρσενικον), meaning masculine which is meant to link to its potent capabilities. Also has an Iranian root meaning to shine

Selenium:

From the Greek selene (σελενε) in reference to the moon, also links to the goddess Selene who is the goddess of the moon. -ium meaning metal being misleading as it is not one. The term selenion has been proposed which is more appropriate.

Tellurium:

From the Latin tellus meaning earth. -ium ending for similar reasons as selenium as they were bith mistaken for metals and have since been realised to not be.

References:

Online Etymology dictionary, (accessed 27/2/21) https://www.etymonline.com/
For all the Greek I used this website http://www.typegreek.com/

The origin of the names of the elements - Non-metals