Re: Why do so many element names end in 'ium'?

Hi Chris -

Per the entry at Merriam Webster, -ium was the latin ending indicating "small one," a small amount of mass, or a unit/quantum, particularly with regards to things such as pollen or seeds. Scientifically, it was adapted as the ending to the names of elements, to thus indicate their small (atomic) nature.

Hope this helps..

-L. Bry, MadSci Admin