The Secret Meanings of Color Names
Color names, either flat-out color names like Blue or names with colorful meanings like Aurelia, are more and more popular.
But do you know the secret meanings behind the color behind that name you love?
Color-related meanings are drawn from a wide range of cultures and are often even older and more resonant than the names themselves. Drawing from The Book of Symbols, here are the primary symbolic meanings, good and bad, behind colors and the names that embody them.
Red
Red is known for being one of the boldest colors, and is filled with energy and emotion. Names that mean red range from precious stones like Jasper and Ruby, fiery choices like Phoenix and Blaze, and names traditionally given to red-haired babies, like Rowan and Rufus.
Positive
Life
Energy
Blood
Warmth
Negative
War
Anger
Danger
Top Names with Red Meanings
Unique Names with Red Meanings
Blue
The serene color blue has been shown to have calming effects, conjuring up imagery of a clear sky and tranquil water. Names that mean blue can relate to water directly, like River and Ocean, or in a less obvious way, like Maya or Talia. Names relating to the sky or heaven are also common with blue names, from Celeste to Sema.
Positive
Eternity
High quality
Spirituality
Heaven
Negative
Cold
Melancholy
Despair
Top Names with Blue Meanings
Unique Names with Blue Meanings
Yellow, Orange, and Gold
Yellow, orange, and gold brighten up any room. With bright and sunny yellow, rich, sunset orange, and luxurious gold, there's lots to love about this section of the color wheel. Names that mean yellow or orange range from nature picks like Marigold and Clementine to Latin names like Aurelius and Flavia.
Positive
Wealth
Sun
Harvest
Negative
Aging
Cowardice
Caution or Warning
Top Names with Yellow, Gold, or Orange Meanings
Unique Names with Yellow, Gold, or Orange Meanings
Green
The color green is full of life, bringing to mind imagery of lush forests and grassy meadows. Names that mean green can take inspiration from a shade of green itself, such as Olive, Kelly, or Sage, or they can take inspiration from nature, like Fern, Rowan, or Meadow.
Positive
Renewal
Hope
Creativity
Nature
Negative
Envy or Jealousy
Illness
Immaturity
Top Names with Green Meanings
Unique Names with Green Meanings
Purple
Purple is known for being the color of royalty, with purple dyes having been the height of luxury in many cultures. While there may be fewer than some other color names like red or blue, Names that mean purple are in style right now. From popular Violet and Iris to the more offbeat Lilac and Lavender, there are several gorgeous options.
Positive
Royalty
Wealth
Perfect union of opposites
Negative
Extravagance
Death