Science, Tech, Math › Science Which Elements Are Named for Places? Share Flipboard Email Print The element copper is named for Cyprus. Jon Zander 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 January 31, 2018 Question: Which Elements Are Named for Places? Answer: 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, ancient name for ParisMagnesium – Magnesia prefecture in Thessaly, GreecePolonium – PolandRhenium – Rhenus, Latin for 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 (Scandinavia?)Ytterbium – Ytterby, SwedenYttrium – Ytterby, Sweden Continue Reading