The name likely has Celtic roots meaning "fortress" (-ratum) and "silver" or "bright/illuminated" (argento-, Latin roots).

all 3 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 2 points 5 days ago (1 child)

Is argentum Celtic? I always thought it was straight Latin.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

    Similarly, Argentina got its name from its originally rich silver mines. I can imagine it's obvious to people who live there, but I only read about it a year or two ago, despite having known the latin name since learning about the periodic table.

  • source