text: Lead(II) hydroxide\n\nPb is lead, the roman numeral II (2) indicates the charge of the lead, and OH is hydroxide.  Incidentally, everyone so far has missed the II, which is what distingishes Pb(OH)2 from Pb(OH)4 or lead (IV) hydroxide.\n\nPlumbous hydroxide is the old school name (sorry, but plumbium hydroxide is just plain wrong).  Plumbous comes from the latin word plumbium, meaning lead, which is also where that atomic symbol for lead (Pl) comes from.  Interestingly, Pb(OH)4 is commonly refered to by its old name, plumbic acid.\n\nRizza, lead carbonate would be PbCO3.