Etymology

chrome

1800, from Fr., coined 1797 by Fr. chemist Nicolas-Louis Vauquelin (1763-1829), from Gk. khroma "color" (see chroma), because it makes colorful compounds. Originally the name given to the metal chromium; as a short form of chromium plating it dates from 1937.

 

Online Etymology Dictionary

 

It's getting more and more interesting.