Niobium is a chemical element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41. It is a soft, grey, ductile metal that is commonly used in alloys and superconductors. Niobium is sometimes also referred to as columbium, as it was known by this name for several decades. Other synonyms for niobium include dizonium, ilmenium, and avion. Related elements include tantalum, which is often used in conjunction with niobium in high-performance alloys, and vanadium, which shares many physical and chemical properties with niobium. Despite its many synonyms, niobium remains an important and useful element in many industrial and scientific applications.