The nomenclature of silicate minerals is in a state of great confusion. Over hundreds of years the rules, if there were any, have never resulted in a systematic nomenclature like that applying to chemical substances. This is in spite of considerable effort by the responsible commissions of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). Since the probability of producing a systematic nomenclature for silicates and other minerals in the near future is almost zero, the problem will not be discussed here, although the history of mineral names is an interesting and sometimes amusing subject.