Why An inductor is a coil of wire; when current flows through it, it creates a magnetic field around the turns, and that field stores energy. Because the field opposes changes in current, inductors resist sudden current changes and their opposition to AC (inductive reactance) rises with frequency. Energy stored is E = 1/2 L I squared, where L is inductance in henrys.
Watch out The capacitor is the natural mix-up: it also stores energy, but in an electric field between two plates separated by an insulator, and it opposes changes in voltage instead of current.
Coil = magnetic field = inductor; plates = electric field = capacitor. Current makes magnetism, voltage makes charge.