'stibium' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'stibium', where it referred to the metal now known as antimony; the Latin word itself was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'stíbiōn' (στίβιον).

'stibium' changed from the Ancient Greek word 'stíbiōn' (στίβιον) and was adopted into Latin as 'stibium'; this form survived in scholarly and alchemical Latin and later influenced the chemical symbol 'Sb' used in modern nomenclature.

Initially, it meant 'the ore or preparation used for eye cosmetics and the metal (antimony)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the chemical element antimony (Sb)'.