Just the facts:

Vanadium Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Then in 1830, Nils Gabriel Sefström generated chlorides of vanadium, thus proving there was a new element, and named it "vanadium" after the Scandinavian goddess of beauty and fertility, Vanadís (Freyja). The name was based on the wide range of colors found in vanadium compounds. 

 Vanadium was actually discovered twice.  The first time was in 1801 when Andrés Manuel del Río, a Spanish mineralogist, discovered vanadium in Mexico and named it erythronium. However, he later believed it was impure chromium. 

Vanadium has many uses, including: 

• Steel: About 80% of the vanadium produced is used as a steel additive. Vanadium-steel alloys are used for armor plate, axles, tools, piston rods, and crankshafts. 
   
• Nuclear reactors: Vanadium alloys are used in nuclear reactors because they absorb few neutrons. 
   
• Ceramics: Vanadium can be used as a pigment in ceramics. 
   
• Dyes and printing fabrics: Vanadium pentoxide can be used as a catalyst in the manufacture of dyes and printing fabrics.