Science, Tech, Math › Science Which Elements Are Named for Places? Share Flipboard Email Print ElementalImaging / Getty Images Science Chemistry Periodic Table Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Updated August 08, 2019 This is an alphabetical list of element toponyms or elements named for places or regions. Ytterby in Sweden has given its name to four elements: Erbium, Terbium, Ytterbium, and Yttrium. Americium – America, the AmericasBerkelium – University of California at BerkeleyCalifornium – State of California and University of California at BerkeleyCopper - probably named for CyprusDarmstadtium – Darmstadt, GermanyDubnium – Dubna, RussiaErbium – Ytterby, a town in SwedenEuropium – EuropeFrancium – FranceGallium – Gallia, Latin for France. Also named for Lecoq de Boisbaudran, the element's discoverer (Lecoq in Latin is gallus)Germanium – GermanyHafnium – Hafnia, Latin for CopenhagenHassium – Hesse, GermanyHolmium – Holmia, Latin for StockholmLutetium – Lutecia, an ancient name for ParisMagnesium – Magnesia prefecture in Thessaly, GreecePolonium – PolandRhenium – Rhenus, Latin for the Rhine, a German provinceRuthenium – Ruthenia, Latin for RussiaScandium – Scandia, Latin for ScandinaviaStrontium – Strontian, a town in ScotlandTerbium – Ytterby, SwedenThulium – Thule, a mythical island in the far north (perhaps in Scandinavia)Ytterbium – Ytterby, SwedenYttrium – Ytterby, Sweden Continue Reading