The name of a column on the periodic table that is also referred to as a chemical family is called a group.
In the periodic table, elements are arranged in vertical columns known as groups. Each group contains elements that share similar chemical properties due to their similar electron configurations. For instance, the elements in Group 1, known as the alkali metals, all have one electron in their outermost shell, which makes them highly reactive and gives them similar characteristics.
Understanding these groups helps scientists predict how different elements will react with one another, making the study of chemistry much more organized and intuitive. Other examples of groups include the noble gases in Group 18, which are known for their lack of reactivity due to having a full outer electron shell.