Here's why:

* "Hydro" comes from the Greek word "hýdōr", meaning water.

* "Gen" comes from the Greek word "gignesthai", meaning "to be born" or "to generate".

So, literally, hydrogen means "water-generating". This name accurately reflects the element's primary characteristic: its ability to react with oxygen to form water (H₂O).

This naming convention was established by the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier in the late 18th century, who is considered the father of modern chemistry.