Element abbreviations: why do some element abbreviations come from the Latin name of the element?

this is because the element abbrivation has already been taken by another element.for example sodium its abrevation S has aiready been taken by sulphur.

Element abbreviations: why do some element abbreviations come from the Latin name of the element?
that's the way the world works. Latin is known as the "Mother of all Languages" so that would be my guess.





Ps... the abbreviation for lead is Pb, for Pluribus, which is lead in latin.
Reply:Because those were the popular names among the early chemists. :-)





Edit: (for go_cowboys) Pb refers to Plumbum which is the latin name of lead