The first question we ask is if the compound is ionic or covalent? If it is covalent, which is typically between 2 or more nonmetals, we need to ask, is it a simple molecule, or is it an acid. If it is a simple molecule we use Greek prefixes to identify the number of atoms of each type of element in the molecule. If it is an acid, we base it's name on the ionic compound it would form if hydrogen could be a cation. Note, hydrogen can not lose its only electron as then it would be a subatomic particle and the charge density would be too high, so it forms a covalent bond. If it is ionic, we use the principle of charge neutrality to name the compound.