It’s no surprise that most color names are pretty long. With about 10 million colors in the world, each one needs a unique name to stand out. That often involves adding an extra word to emphasize the rest of the name, making some of the longest color names nearly 30 characters! With names that long, they’re sure to be one-of-a-kind.
Even though long color names are more common than short ones, there are still plenty with only a few characters. The shortest color names are three-letter words, which are simple and straight to the point without any adjectives or modifiers. Some of these colors are very well-known, while others you might not have thought of.
1. Red
Red
Hex #FF0000
RGB 255, 0, 0
CMYK 0, 100, 100, 0
3 Characters
Red is a color of the rainbow and one of the first colors most people think of. With only three letters, it’s also one of the shortest color names in existence. Red has been a significant color for humans for over 40,000 years when people collected red clay and used it as paint. Many cave paintings and other forms of ancient art used red pigment.
For many languages, red was the first color named besides black and white. One early recorded use of the color red is in an Old English translation from 897 CE, written by Pope St. Gregory the Great. The color name was derived from “rudhira” in Sanskrit and “rauthaz” in Proto-Germanic.
Red is typically perceived as a powerful, high-energy color, symbolizing strength, passion, and action. While it can be a sign of courage, it also relates to anger and danger.
2. Tan
Tan
Hex #D2B48C
RGB 210, 180, 140
CMYK 0, 14, 33, 18
3 Characters
Tan is another three-letter word that people use regularly. It’s a neutral color that we often see in furniture and other decorations. This color name was first used in the English language in 1590. Back then, it was most commonly associated with the color of animal hides, and it was named after the term “tanning,” which refers to turning animal hides into leather. Tanning comes from “tannin,” which is the Old German term for oak trees.
Since tan is a simple color that doesn’t draw much attention to itself, it symbolizes stability and security. Its warmth and association with the earth also signify comfort, growth, and honesty.
3. Jet
Jet
Hex #343434
RGB 52, 52, 52
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 80
3 Characters
Jet is a three-letter color name that’s sometimes also called jet black. It’s named after a naturally occurring gemstone of the same name, which shares the dark gray, almost black hue of this color. The mineral jet is a type of lignite and is a beloved gemstone for fine jewelry.
Because this gemstone is popular in jewelry, the color jet symbolizes elegance, mystery, and sophistication. Since it’s almost as dark as black, it can also have negative associations, such as night, depression, and death. Thus, it’s a mixture of beauty and darkness.
4. Bay
Bay
Hex #67412B
RGB 103, 65, 43
CMYK 0, 37, 58, 60
3 Characters
Bay, another three-letter color name, is frequently used to describe the coat color of horses. It’s one of the most common horse colors, but it’s still beloved and often perceived as a sign of good stamina, strength, and nobility.
The word bay has been used to describe a reddish-brown color since the 1300s. It likely came from the Latin word “badius,” which describes a chestnut brown color.
5. Blue
Blue
Hex #0000FF
RGB 0, 0, 255
CMYK 100, 100, 0, 0
4 Characters
While there are many versions of blue with longer color names, traditional blue is a simple four-letter word, making it one of the shortest. Even though it’s part of the rainbow and the most popular color in the world today, it wasn’t named until much later than red, likely because it’s such a rare color in nature. The first name for the color blue in any language was about 4,500 years ago.
For centuries, blue was worn mostly by royalty due to its rarity. After 431 AD, it slowly became more common in everyday items. The term wasn’t added to most languages until there were already names for black, white, red, yellow, and green. The current English word for blue is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “blæwaz” and the Old French term “blo” or “bleu.”
Blue is a calming color that typically evokes relaxation and other positive effects like trust, loyalty, and security. In some cases, it can be associated with sadness and depression, depending on the context.
6. Pink
Pink
Hex #FFC0CB
RGB 255, 192, 203
CMYK 0, 25, 20, 0
4 Characters
Like blue, pink is a popular four-letter color name. People didn’t give the color pink its own name until the 17th century when it was used to describe the ruffled edges of carnations. Before that, it was used as a verb meaning “to decorate with a perforated pattern.”
At first, pink was fashionable for both men and women, but it was rebranded as a feminine color after World War II. While it’s still considered feminine today, it has a wide range of meanings, such as compassion, love, and playfulness.
7. Gray
Gray
Hex #808080
RGB 128, 128, 128
CMYK 0, 0, 0, 50
4 Characters
Gray, also spelled grey, is a four-letter color name first used in the English language in 700 BCE. Back then, it was associated with being poor since gray is the color of wool without any dye added.
Today, gray is a versatile color since it’s neutral and goes with just about any other color. It can symbolize practicality, control, and compromise. However, many people also view it as boring and unemotional.
8. Cyan
Cyan
Hex #00FFFF
RGB 0, 255, 255
CMYK 100, 0, 0, 0
4 Characters
In the RGB color model, cyan is a perfect mix between blue and green, resulting in a bright light blue color. Cyan was first used in the English language in 1879 to describe the same blue-green color we know today. The color name came from the Ancient Greek word “kyanos,” which originally meant “dark blue enamel.”
Cyan is a bright color that still contains some of the serenity of normal blue. It evokes both calmness and clarity, and it’s often associated with water and the sky, which give off refreshing feelings.
9. Teal
Teal
Hex #008080
RGB 0, 128, 128
CMYK 100, 0, 0, 50
4 Characters
Teal is another mix of blue and green, only darker. This color term first appeared in the English language in 1917. The name likely came from the Eurasian Teal, a freshwater duck with a blue-green patch on its wing and around its eye.
This beautiful hue has many positive associations, including renewal, morality, and individuality. It can also be calming and healing, as it shares some of the benefits of blue and green.
10. Gold
Gold
Hex #FFD700
RGB 255, 215, 0
CMYK 0, 16, 100, 0
4 Characters
Most people know gold as a valuable element, but it’s also a four-letter name for a dark yellow hue. In 1300, people started using the term “golden” to describe the color of gold. In 1400, gold was sometimes used to describe blond hair. Over time, it became more popular for describing an object’s color, such as dark yellow things or metallic hues similar to the appearance of the mineral gold.
Since the name gold came from the expensive element, the color is typically associated with wealth, success, and prestige. In some instances, it could be seen as too arrogant, pretentious, or flashy.
11. Rust
Rust
Hex #B7410E
RGB 183, 65, 14
CMYK 0, 64, 92, 28
4 Characters
Rust has long been used as the term for oxidized iron, a word that came from “rusta,” a Proto-Germanic word meaning “redness.” In 1692, it was first used as a color name to describe red-orange objects that resemble something rusty.
When looking at the color without considering the name, rust feels warm and may remind people of autumn. However, rusted objects are unappealing, which could make some people associate this hue with danger or disgust.
12. Mint
Mint
Hex #3EB489
RGB 62, 180, 137
CMYK 66, 0, 24, 29
4 Characters
Mint is a soft green named after the color of the mint plant. It was first recorded as a color name in 1920, and it was frequently used in Art Deco at the time.
This color makes people think of health, growth, and rebirth because of its relation to the mint plant, which has been used for medicinal purposes since prehistoric times. It also gives off a freshness, much like breath mints do.
13. Plum
Plum
Hex #8E4585
RGB 142, 69, 133
CMYK 0, 51, 6, 44
4 Characters
This four-letter color name used for a type of purple first appeared in the English language in 1805. It’s named after the popular fruit, which has a purple exterior with hints of red, similar to this mystical color.
Like many kinds of purple, plum is a color that symbolizes royalty and luxury because purple was most commonly worn by high-class and wealthy individuals throughout history. It also comes across as sweet and timeless.
14. Ecru
Ecru
Hex #C2B280
RGB 194, 178, 128
CMYK 0, 8, 34, 24
4 Characters
Ecru is a short color name that’s not super common. It’s a shade of beige that came from the French word “écru,” which means “raw and crude.” In the early 1800s, it was first used as a color name, and people described it as a gray-yellow hue, but with more green than chamois and darker than old ivory.
It shares some symbolism with other neutral colors, such as simplicity and comfort. However, ecru is a darker color than beige.
15. Fawn
Fawn
Hex #E5AA70
RGB 229, 170, 112
CMYK 0, 26, 51, 10
4 Characters
Fawn is most commonly known as the term for a baby deer, but it’s also a word used to describe a light brown hair color. This four-letter word became a color name in 1789 to describe a brown-orange color. However, it was used to refer to baby animals for centuries before that.
This is a gentle brown hue that can evoke warmth, comfort, and slight elegance. It’s a great neutral color to use in interior design because it adds to the coziness of a room.
16. Puce
Puce
Hex #CC8899
RGB 204, 136, 153
CMYK 0, 33, 25, 20
4 Characters
This four-letter color name doesn’t sound appealing, and its meaning confirms that feeling. It’s a French word meaning “flea,” and the color refers to the color of the bloodstains fleas leave behind. It was first used as a color name in 1775 when Louis XVI referred to a gown of this color as puce.
Puce is a rather unsightly pink shade, described as a mix of brown and purple. While it can be a color of mystery, some people feel ill or melancholy when looking at it.
17. Opal
Opal
Hex #A8C3BC
RGB 168, 195, 188
CMYK 14, 0, 4, 24
4 Characters
Opal is a shimmering gemstone that seems to display several colors at once. While you might call the stone white, gray, or green, the color of the same name is more of a gray-green hue. It might not resemble the elegance of the shiny mineral, but it is a color that appears on opals.
While opals can symbolize a lot of things, including purity, confidence, love, and passion, this hue tends to spark simpler feelings. This color makes people feel serene, balanced, and refreshed.
18. Pear
Pear
Hex #D1E231
RGB 209, 226, 49
CMYK 8, 0, 78, 11
4 Characters
The color pear is a much brighter hue than the skin of actual pears. It’s a vibrant yellow-green hue that’s inspired by the appearance of ripe pears.
Like pears, this color evokes freshness and vitality. Since it’s such a bright color, it could also symbolize enthusiasm, youth, and growth.
19. Rose
Rose
Hex #FF007F
RGB 255, 0, 127
CMYK 0, 100, 50, 0
4 Characters
While there’s also a color called rose red, rose is a four-letter color name that describes an intense pink hue. On the color wheel, it sits between red and magenta. While roses are typically thought of as red, many have dark pink coloring similar to this.
The color rose can evoke feelings of appreciation, gratitude, passion, and love, making it perfect for romantic themes, like a Valentine’s Day design.
20. Ruby
Ruby
Hex #E0115F
RGB 224, 17, 95
CMYK 0, 92, 58, 12
4 Characters
The color ruby is a saturated pink-red, similar to the color of the gemstone. People typically picture rubies as much redder than this, but natural rubies can be a wide range of reds, magentas, and pinks. The oldest recorded use of ruby as a color in the English language occurred in 1572.
Ruby is a bold color that evokes a range of emotions, including passion, confidence, and ambition. It could also be associated with luxury and wealth.
21. Zomp
Zomp
Hex #39A78E
RGB 57, 167, 142
CMYK 66, 0, 15, 35
4 Characters
Zomp is a silly four-letter color name that most people probably haven’t heard of. It’s a blue-green hue or muted cyan. Zomp was created by Resene Paints in 2007. It has appeared in several viral social media posts where people joked about how silly its name is. It’s unclear what the exact origin of the word is, but it could also be the paint company’s creative invention.
Despite having an amusing name, Zomp is actually a calming color, much like other shades of blue and green. It’s refreshing while also having some liveliness and optimism.
22. Wine
Wine
Hex #722F37
RGB 114, 47, 55
CMYK 0, 59, 52, 55
4 Characters
This color is a very dark red, closely resembling red wine. Wine was first used as a color term in 1705. Other names for this hue include Bordeaux or Claret.
Red is a passionate color, so a dark red color like this one evokes power, sophistication, mystery, and desire. It could also be linked to anger and aggression.
23. Flax
Flax
Hex #EEDC82
RGB 238, 220, 130
CMYK 0, 8, 45, 7
4 Characters
Flax describes a pale yellow-gray hue that’s the color of straw or unspun flax (a textile fiber from the flax plant). Flax was first recorded in the English language back in 1915, but “flaxen” was used before then to describe hair color of a similar hue.
This short and sweet color name is simple and exudes a sense of calm and comfort. Its resemblance to plant materials like hay can also remind people of nature.
How Many Color Names Can You Guess? Take the Color Challenge quiz.
