In naming an ionic compound, the cation (the positively charged ion) is always named first.

Here's why:

* Cations are typically metals, while anions are typically nonmetals.

* In an ionic compound, the metal (cation) usually loses electrons and becomes positively charged, while the nonmetal (anion) gains electrons and becomes negatively charged.

* The charges balance out to create a neutral compound.

For example, in the ionic compound sodium chloride (NaCl):

* Sodium (Na) is the cation (Na+)

* Chloride (Cl) is the anion (Cl-)

Therefore, when naming the compound, we name the cation first, followed by the anion: sodium chloride.