Schroeder (1991) calls the ceiling function symbols and the "gallows" because of their similarity in appearance to the structure used for hangings.
Gallows
See also
Ceiling FunctionExplore with Wolfram|Alpha
References
Schroeder, M. Fractals, Chaos, Power Laws: Minutes from an Infinite Paradise. New York: W. H. Freeman, p. 57, 1991.Referenced on Wolfram|Alpha
GallowsCite this as:
Weisstein, Eric W. "Gallows." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Gallows.html