'hydrogen' originates from French, specifically the word 'hydrogène,' where 'hydro-' meant 'water' and '-gène' meant 'producer.'

'hydrogène' was adopted into English as 'hydrogen' in the late 18th century, and eventually became the modern English word 'hydrogen.'

Initially, it meant 'water producer,' referring to the fact that hydrogen produces water when burned, and this meaning has remained in modern usage as the name of the element.