Gadolinium is
the only stable element that is named after a
person. Many
transuranic elements derive their names from
scientists, starting with
Curium (element 96) after
Marie Curie.
However, all of these are
radioactive and therefore
decaying into
lower elements.
Considering that Gadolin himself did not discover
gadolinium, this is an exceptional honor. However, it is explained by
Gadolin's pioneering work on rare-earth metals in general, which
started with his discovery of yttrium. Hence one of these metals
now carries the name of this Finnish chemist.