The temporary "systematic" names exist due to disputes over element names in the past. Standard practice is that the discoverers of new elements are allowed to

The temporary "systematic" names exist due to disputes over element names in the past. Standard practice is that the discoverers of new elements are allowed to recommend names; but there have been arguments over who synthesized a new element first, resulting in American and Russian physicists using different names. The rule now is that the systematic names get used until IUPAC has time to authenticate a discovery and establish whose name will be used. There is one in-joke I've heard about systematic names, though: What's the symbol for Unhexhexium? (Answer: "Uhh...")