People with standard vision can see millions of distinct colors. But human language categorizes these into a small set of words. In an industrialized culture, most people get by with 11 color words: black, white, red, green, yellow, blue, brown, orange, pink, purple and gray.
Maybe if you’re an experienced tailor or designer, you know specific meanings for as many as 50 or 100 different colors name – like turquoise, amber, indigo or taupe. But this is still a tiny fraction of the colors that we can distinguish.
If you’re in search of more creative color names than the basic “red” or “blue,” you’re in luck! Here’s a cool color names infographic by Ingrid Sundberg.
She’s come up with 20 different name shades of white, tan, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, brown, gray and black. 240 colors and names in all!
20 color name for white
White, an inherently positive color, is associated with purity, virginity, innocence, light, goodness, heaven, safety, brilliance, illumination, understanding, cleanliness, faith, beginnings, sterility, spirituality, possibility, humility, sincerity, protection, softness, and perfection. The color white can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity and is often used to represent coolness and simplicity.
White , pearl , alabaster , snow , ivory , cream , eggshell , cotton , chiffon , salt , lace , coconut , linen , bone , daisy , powder , frost , porcelain , parchment , rice.
20 color name for tan
Tan is dependable, conservative, and flexible. The color tan is neutral, calm, and relaxing. The attributes and meanings associated with tan change based on the colors it accompanies. Tan offers some of the warmth of the color brown.
Tan , beige , macaroon , hazelwood , granola , oat , eggnog , fawn , sugarcookie , sand , sepia , ltte , oyster , biscotti , parmesan , hazelnut , sandcastle , buttermilk , sanddollar , shortbread.
20 color names for yellow
Yellow, the color of sunshine, hope, and happiness, has conflicting associations. On one hand yellow stands for freshness, happiness, positivity, clarity, energy, optimism, enlightenment, remembrance, intellect, honor, loyalty, and joy, but on the other, it represents cowardice and deceit. A dull or dingy yellow may represent caution, sickness, and jealousy.
Yellow , canary , gold , daffodil , flaxen , butter , lemon , mustard , corn , medallion , dandelion , fire , bumblebee , banana , butterscotch , dijon , honey , blonde , pineapple , tuscan sun.
20 color names for orange
Orange, the blend of red and yellow, is a mixture of the energy associated with red and the happiness associated with yellow. Orange is associated with meanings of joy, warmth, heat, sunshine, enthusiasm, creativity, success, encouragement, change, determination, health, stimulation, happiness, fun, enjoyment, balance, sexuality, freedom, expression, and fascination.
Orange , tangerine , marigold , cider , rust , ginger , tiger , fire , bronze , cantaloupe , apricot , clay , honey , carrot , squash , spice , marmalade , amber , sandstone , yam.
20 color names for red
The color red is a highly visible color that is able to focus attention quickly and is an intense color that is packed with emotion ranging from passionate, intense love to anger and violence — representing both cupid and the devil. It is a hot, strong, stimulating color that represents excitement and energy. Red, the color of blood and fire, is associated with meanings of love, passion, desire, heat, longing, lust, sexuality, sensitivity and romance.
Red , cherry , rose , jam , merlot , garnet , crimson , ruby , scarlet , wine , brick , apple , mahogany , blood , sangria , berry , currant , blush , candy , lipstick.
20 color names for pink
Pink, a delicate color that means sweet, nice, playful, cute, romantic, charming, feminine, and tenderness. The color pink is the color of universal love of oneself and of others. Pink represents friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace, and approachability. Pink is the official color for little and young girls and is the sweet side of the color red. While the color red stirs up passion, aggression, and action, large amounts of the color pink can actually create physical weakness.
Pink , rose , fuchsia , punch , blush , watermelon , flamingo , rouge , salmon , coral , peach , strawberry , rosewood , lemonade , taffy , bubblegum , ballet slipper , crepe , magenta , hot pink.
20 color names for purple
Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic. The color purple has a variety of effects on the mind and body, including uplifting spirits, calming the mind and nerves, enhancing the sacred, creating feelings of spirituality, increasing nurturing tendencies and sensitivity, and encouraging imagination and creativity.
Purple , mauve , violet , boysenberry , lavender , plum , magenta , lilac , grape , periwinkle , sangria , eggplant , jam , iris , heather , amethyst , raisin , orchid , mulberry , wine.
20 color names for blue
Blue represents both the sky and the sea, and is associated with open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, expansiveness, inspiration, and sensitivity. Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, heaven, and intelligence. The color blue has positive effects on the mind and the body. However not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic, an engaging color that expresses exhilaration.
Blue , slate , sky , navy , indigo , cobalt , teal , ocean , peacock , azure , cerulean , lapis , spruce , stone , aegean , berry , denim , admiral , sapphire , arctic.
20 color names for green
Green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. The color green has healing power and is understood to be the most restful and relaxing color for the human eye to view. The color green affects us physically and mentally in several different ways. Green is soothing, relaxing, and youthful. Green also brings with it a sense of hope, health, adventure, and renewal, compassion, and harmony.
Green , chartreuse , juniper , sage , lime , fern , olive , emerald , pear , moss , shamrock , seafoam , pine , parakeet , mint , seaweed , pickle , pistachio , basil , crocodile.
20 color names for brown
Brown, the color of earth, wood, stone, wholesomeness, reliability, elegance, security, healing, home, grounding, foundations, stability, warmth, and honesty, is a natural, neutral color that is typically associated with the seasons of fall and winter. The color brown is a warm color that stimulates the appetite. While it is sometimes considered dull, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, dependability, and health. The brown color says stability, reliability, dependability, and approachability.
Brown , coffee , mocha , peanut , carob , hickory , wood , pecan , walnut , caramel , gingerbread , syrup , chocolate , tortilla , umber , tawny , brunette , cinnamon , penny , cedar.
20 color names for gray
Gray is a cool, neutral, and balanced color. The color gray is a timeless, formal, conservative, and sophisticated.
Grey , shadow , graphite , iron , pewter , cloud , silver , smoke , slate , anchor , ash , porpoise , dove , fog , flint , charcoal , pebble , lead , coin , fossil.
20 color names for black
Black is associated with power, fear, mystery, strength, authority, elegance, formality, death, evil, and aggression, authority, rebellion, and sophistication. The black color is the absence of color. Black is a mysterious color that is typically associated with the unknown or the negative. The color black represents strength, seriousness, power, and authority. Black is a formal, elegant, and prestigious color. Authoritative and powerful, the color black can evoke strong emotions and too much black can be overwhelming.
Yes, too black and hard to differentiate on screen! Let’s turn on a “strong light” and have a look of the same blacks again.
Black , ebony , crow , charcoal , midnight , ink , raven , oil , grease , onyx , pitch , soot , sable , jet black , coal , metal , obsidian , jade , spider , leather.
Lets find a name for many others color
It is always a problem to assign a certain color name to a main hue. The below little tool comes in handy to find it. Chose the color from the drop menu or click & drag over the color wheel to make a color.
Tom Thumbapprox.
Outer big box: Your selected color. Inner small box: Actual color of closest match.
You may as well select color by editing the Hex color #code
Based on The Color Thesaurus by Ingrid Sundberg.
Next steps
Learn more about Match Clothing Colours
Learn more about Understanding screen colors vs fabric colors