What is the origin of the symbol for copper?

Answer 1

Copper is an element. These heavy elements are usually made in supernovae where conditions of temperature and pressure exist for long enough to create the appropriate fusion reaction.

The Romans mined copper on Cyprus, hence the name Cuprum for copper, Cu.

Answer 2

Copper has played a significant part in the history of mankind, which has used the easily accessible uncompounded metal for thousands of years. Evidence has been preserved from several early civilizations of the use of copper. In the Roman era, copper was principally mined on Cyprus, hence the origin of the name of the metal as Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to Cuprum as it appears abbreviated in the Periodic Table as Cu.

The pronunciation "copper" will have derived from "Cuprum", changing with mistranslation and mispronunciation as in a game of Chinese whispers

Answer 3

Copper got its symbol, because it starts with a letter C in Greek. For example, let's use sodium. Sodium in greek means natria, so that's why it's NA in the periodic table.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

The chemical symbol for copper is Cu, which comes from the Latin word for copper, Cuprum.

Answer 5

As with many elements with seemingly unusual chemical symbols, copper's symbol, Cu, is derived from the element's name in Latin, cuprum.