The element Gallium was discovered in France in 1875 by Paul-Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. The discoverer is symbolized here by the rooster.

The name gallium is derived from the Latin "Gallia", the ancient Roman name (Gaul in English) for the bulk of the region now known as France.

There is some report that the name might also originate from the Latin "gallus" - the cock - for Lecoq.

Gallium is used in semi-conductors and solid state devices.