Origin and Meaning of Cobalt

A color name derived from the blue pigment made from cobalt salts.

Origin: English - The term 'cobalt' comes from the German word 'kobalt' or 'kobold', meaning 'goblin', which was used by miners to describe a troublesome ore that released toxic arsenic.

• Cobalt is primarily known as a chemical element (Co) that is essential for human health in small amounts, particularly in the form of vitamin B12.
• The color cobalt blue is associated with the deep blue color obtained from cobalt salts, widely used in ceramics, glass, and paints since ancient times.
• Cobalt has been used in various cultures as a dye and a pigment, including in Persian and Chinese pottery as far back as 3000 BC.
• The name Cobalt as a given name is uncommon, but it reflects a growing trend of using unique element names and nature-inspired names for children.
• Variations and related terms include Cobaltine—a reference to a cobalt-rich mineral—and color names such as cobalt green and cobalt violet.