Weird Color Names: A Curious Collection of Unusual Hues

Have you ever looked at a color and struggled to name it? You know it is not just blue or red. It is something stranger. The world is full of weird color names that sound more like riddles than crayons. From dragon blood to smitten, these unusual hues have fascinating stories behind them. Unusual color names like incandescent and falu red are actually real. Many people search for strange color names when they want something unique and memorable.

How to Choose a Weird Color Name

Picking a weird color name is different from choosing a regular name. You want something that sparks curiosity. Think about the feeling or mood you want to create. A soft pinkish color might feel playful while a dark grayish blue might feel mysterious. Consider where you will use the name. For a pet, short and silly works great. For a username, something catchy and easy to spell is better. Say the name out loud. If it makes you smile, you have found a winner.

Reddish Weird Color Names

Red is bold, but these red variations are truly unusual. These names come from insects, minerals, and old traditions.

• Dragon blood
• Dragon fire
• Cochineal
• Sanguine
• Vermilion
• Carmine
• Sinopia
• Kermes
• Minium
• Red ochre
• Madder
• Rose madder
• Alizarin
• Cinnabar
• Realgar
• Vermilionette
• Bole
• Caput mortuum
• Indian red
• Venetian red
• English red
• Persian red
• Tuscan red
• Spanish red
• Rose vale
• Falu red
• Amaranth
• Burgundy
• Cardinal
• Crimson
• Scarlet
• Cerise
• Ruby
• Garnet
• Merlot
• Oxblood
• Rust
• Terracotta
• Burnt sienna

Pinkish Weird Color Names

Pink gets strange when you move beyond rose and blush. These unusual pinks have surprising origins.

• Shocking pink
• Baker Miller pink
• Tickle me pink
• Mountbatten pink
• Puce
• Mauveine
• Cameo pink
• Cotton candy
• Fandango
• Razzmatazz
• Hot magenta
• Orchid pink
• French fuchsia
• Hollywood cerise
• Barbie pink
• Mexican pink
• Fairy tale
• Paradise pink
• Pink lavender
• Cherry blossom
• Bubblegum
• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Flamingo
• Coral pink
• Salmon pink
• Peach puff
• Apricot blush
• Melon
• Tutu
• Pink flamingo
• Schauss pink
• Drunk tank pink
• Pink pearl
• Primrose pink
• Tea rose
• Pale dogwood
• Misty rose
• Spanish pink
• Queen pink

Orange and Yellow Weird Color Names

Orange and yellow become fascinating when you learn their unusual names. Many come from spices, fruits, and minerals.

• Pumpkin orange
• Burnt orange
• Tangerine
• Mango
• Marigold
• Saffron
• Gamboge
• Amber
• Buttercup
• Goldenrod
• Maize
• Flax
• Jonquil
• Xanthic
• Citrine
• Honey
• Dandelion
• Corn yellow
• Mimosa
• Banana
• Lemon chiffon
• Naples yellow
• Cadmium yellow
• Chrome yellow
• Indian yellow
• Aureolin
• Chartreuse yellow
• Safety yellow
• Unmellow yellow
• Laser lemon
• Broom
• Fulvous
• Buff
• Ecru
• Khaki
• Tawny
• Apricot orange
• Coral orange
• Melon orange
• Carrot orange

Greenish Weird Color Names

Green has some of the strangest names in the color world. These unusual greens come from plants, poisons, and old dyes.

• Asparagus
• Celadon
• Verdigris
• Hooker green
• Scheele green
• Paris green
• Emerald green
• Malachite
• Jade
• Mint cream
• Pistachio
• Artichoke
• Fern green
• Forest green
• Hunter green
• Laurel green
• Myrtle
• Olive
• Pine
• Reseda
• Sap green
• Sea green
• Teal
• Vert
• Viridian
• Windsor green
• Lincoln green
• Bottle green
• Brunswick green
• Sacramento green
• Shamrock
• Apple green
• Lime green
• Pear
• Matcha
• Wasabi
• Cilantro
• Basil
• Moss green
• Army green

Blueish Weird Color Names

Blue gets wonderfully weird. These unusual blue names come from space, minerals, and old paintings.

• Cerulean
• Azure
• Cobalt
• Ultramarine
• Phthalo blue
• Prussian blue
• Yves Klein blue
• International Klein blue
• Majorelle blue
• Smalt
• Indigo
• Woad
• Denim
• Dodger blue
• Cornflower
• Periwinkle
• Lapis lazuli
• Sapphire
• Zaffre
• Egyptian blue
• Mayan blue
• Navy
• Midnight blue
• Oxford blue
• Cambridge blue
• Duck egg blue
• Robin egg blue
• Baby blue
• Powder blue
• Air force blue
• Steel blue
• Slate blue
• Chambray
• Cadet blue
• Glacier
• Iceberg
• Arctic blue
• Alaskan blue
• Polar blue
• Frostbite

Purple and Violet Weird Color Names

Purple has always been rare and mysterious. These unusual purple names sound magical and royal.

• Mauve
• Lavender
• Lilac
• Wisteria
• Heliotrope
• Orchid
• Plum
• Eggplant
• Aubergine
• Grape
• Amethyst
• Byzantine
• Tyrian purple
• Royal purple
• Imperial purple
• Mardi Gras
• Pansy
• Petunia
• Iris
• Hyacinth
• Mulberry
• Raspberry
• Boysenberry
• Loganberry
• Damson
• Periwinkle purple
• Languid lavender
• Purple mountain majesty
• African violet
• English violet
• Violet blue
• Purple navy
• Lavender gray
• Mulled grape
• Purple taupe
• Liseran purple
• Palatinate purple
• Thistle
• Magnolia purple
• Fuchsia purple

Brown and Beige Weird Color Names

Brown sounds boring, but these unusual brown names are surprisingly interesting. Many come from earth and animals.

• Umber
• Raw umber
• Burnt umber
• Sienna
• Raw sienna
• Burnt sienna
• Sepia
• Taupe
• Greige
• Mushroom
• Oyster
• Parchment
• Ecru
• Chamois
• Fawn
• Dun
• Camel
• Khaki
• Tan
• Tumbleweed
• Hazel
• Walnut
• Chestnut
• Acorn
• Taupe brown
• Fallow
• Isabelline
• Mummy brown
• Cappuccino
• Latte
• Espresso
• Mocha
• Cocoa
• Chocolate
• Bittersweet
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Clove
• Hickory
• Pecan

Gray and Silver Weird Color Names

Gray can be beautiful when you know its strange names. These unusual grays feel cool and modern.

• Ash gray
• Charcoal
• Gunmetal
• Slate gray
• Pewter
• Argent
• Silver
• Platinum
• Palladium
• Chromium
• Steel gray
• Iron gray
• Lead gray
• Zinc gray
• Tin gray
• Nickel
• Mercury
• Quicksilver
• Cloud gray
• Mist gray
• Fog gray
• Smoke gray
• Dove gray
• Pigeon gray
• Elephant gray
• Dolphin gray
• Shark gray
• Mouse gray
• Squirrel gray
• Rabbit gray
• Stone gray
• Rock gray
• Pebble gray
• Flint gray
• Onyx gray
• Graphite
• Anthracite
• Cadet gray
• Glaucous
• Gray lavender

White and Cream Weird Color Names

White is never just white. These unusual white names come from snow, shells, and old paper.

• Snow
• Ivory
• Cream
• Milk
• Buttermilk
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Ricotta
• Mascarpone
• Custard
• Vanilla
• Almond
• Coconut
• Rice
• Tofu
• Bone
• Oyster white
• Seashell
• Pearl
• Moonlight
• Moonshine
• Starlight
• Ghost white
• White smoke
• Floral white
• Lavender blush
• Old lace
• Linen
• Chiffon
• Bisque
• Antique white
• Papaya whip
• Peach cream
• Alabaster
• Marble
• Gypsum
• Chalk
• Magnolia
• Cotton
• Daisy white

Black and Dark Weird Color Names

Black has many mysterious names. These unusual dark colors sound elegant and deep.

• Jet black
• Onyx
• Obsidian
• Raven
• Crow
• Midnight
• Eclipse
• Shadow
• Shade
• Umbra
• Penumbra
• Abyss
• Void
• Vantablack
• Musou black
• Pitch black
• Coal
• Charcoal black
• Soot
• Lamp black
• Carbon black
• Ivory black
• Bone black
• Mars black
• Tuxedo
• Penguin
• Licorice
• Black olive
• Black cherry
• Black currant
• Blackberry
• Black pearl
• Black diamond
• Black opal
• Black star
• Black hole
• Darkness
• Noir
• Sable
• Ebony

Metallic and Shiny Weird Color Names

These unusual metallic colors shimmer and shine. They are perfect for fantasy characters and usernames.

• Gold
• Champagne gold
• Rose gold
• White gold
• Green gold
• Red gold
• Blue gold
• Pink gold
• Crown gold
• Electrum
• Silver
• Sterling silver
• Fine silver
• Nickel silver
• Bronze
• Arsenical bronze
• Phosphor bronze
• Bell metal
• Gunmetal
• Copper
• Rose copper
• Red copper
• Brass
• Pinchbeck
• Tombac
• Ormolu
• Platinum
• Palladium
• Rhodium
• Iridium
• Osmium
• Ruthenium
• Titanium
• Zirconium
• Hafnium
• Niobium
• Chromium
• Molybdenum
• Tungsten
• Rhenium

Food Inspired Weird Color Names

Food gives us some of the strangest color names. These unusual food colors are fun and tasty sounding.

• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Butternut
• Acorn squash
• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Tomato
• Cherry tomato
• Plum tomato
• Fig
• Date
• Raisin
• Prune
• Apricot
• Nectarine
• Peach
• Plum
• Greengage
• Damson plum
• Sloe berry
• Elderberry
• Huckleberry
• Bilberry
• Lingonberry
• Cloudberry
• Gooseberry
• Currant
• Cranberry
• Blueberry
• Blackberry
• Raspberry
• Strawberry
• Boysenberry
• Marionberry
• Salmonberry
• Thimbleberry
• Wineberry
• Dewberry
• Loganberry
• Tayberry

Nature Inspired Weird Color Names

Nature is full of weird color names. These unusual nature colors come from flowers, trees, and landscapes.

• Moss
• Lichen
• Fern
• Ivy
• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Heather
• Bracken
• Thistle
• Clover
• Shamrock
• Sorrel
• Meadow
• Prairie
• Savanna
• Tundra
• Taiga
• Boreal
• Alpine
• Montane
• Riparian
• Estuary
• Lagoon
• Atoll
• Coral reef
• Seaweed
• Kelp
• Dulse
• Nori
• Wakame
• Hijiki
• Spirulina
• Chlorella
• Diatom
• Foraminifera
• Radiolarian
• Crinoid
• Bryozoan
• Sponge
• Anemone
• Jellyfish

Fantasy and Whimsical Weird Color Names

These fantasy color names sound like they come from a fairy tale. They are perfect for gaming and creative writing.

• Dragon scale
• Mermaid scale
• Fairy dust
• Unicorn mist
• Phoenix flame
• Griffin feather
• Pegasus wing
• Centaur hide
• Satyr fur
• Nymph hair
• Sprite glow
• Pixie spark
• Elf ear
• Dwarf beard
• Goblin skin
• Orc flesh
• Troll blood
• Ogre bile
• Giant tear
• Hydra venom
• Chimera breath
• Sphinx eye
• Minotaur hoof
• Centaury
• Dragonfly
• Butterfly wing
• Moth wing
• Firefly light
• Glowworm
• Moon moth
• Luna moth
• Atlas moth
• Peacock butterfly
• Swallowtail
• Morpho
• Cabbage white
• Red admiral
• Painted lady
• Monarch wing

Mineral and Gemstone Weird Color Names

Gemstones give us some of the most beautiful weird color names. These unusual mineral colors sound precious.

• Ruby red
• Sapphire blue
• Emerald green
• Amethyst purple
• Topaz yellow
• Citrine orange
• Garnet red
• Peridot green
• Aquamarine blue
• Tourmaline pink
• Spinel red
• Zircon blue
• Turquoise
• Jade green
• Malachite green
• Azurite blue
• Lapis lazuli
• Sodalite blue
• Kyanite blue
• Iolite violet
• Tanzanite blue
• Alexandrite green
• Opal white
• Moonstone blue
• Sunstone orange
• Labradorite gray
• Spectrolite rainbow
• Fluorite purple
• Calcite orange
• Aragonite blue
• Rhodonite pink
• Rhodochrosite rose
• Dioptase green
• Chrysocolla blue
• Charoite purple
• Sugilite purple
• Kunzite pink
• Morganite pink
• Heliodor yellow
• Aquamarine green

Frequently Asked Questions About Weird Color Names

What is the weirdest color name ever recorded?

The weirdest color name is often considered to be dragon blood or puce. Dragon blood is a deep red resin from a tree. Puce is a brownish purple that means flea color in French. Other strange names include drunk tank pink and mummy brown.

Are weird color names real or made up?

Most weird color names are completely real. They come from paint companies, crayon manufacturers, and historical dye traditions. Some names like razzmatazz and tumbleweed were invented by crayon companies. Others like caput mortuum have been used for centuries.

Where can I find more weird color names?

You can find weird color names on paint company websites like Farrow and Ball or Benjamin Moore. Crayola crayon color lists are also full of strange names. Wikipedia has a huge list of colors with unusual names. The ISCC NBS color system is another great resource.

Why do some colors have such strange names?

Colors get strange names from their history. Some are named after the place they came from like Prussian blue. Others are named after the mineral or plant that made them. Paint companies also invent fun names to make their products more interesting and memorable.

Can I use weird color names for my pet?

Yes, weird color names make excellent pet names. Short names like Puce, Falu, or Gamboge work well for dogs and cats. Longer names like Razzmatazz or Tickle me pink are great for funny pets. Color names are unique and rarely heard at the dog park.

What is the most popular weird color name?

Falu red is surprisingly popular among color enthusiasts. Puce has gained attention because of its unusual meaning. Chartreuse is widely known because it sits between yellow and green. Periwinkle is another favorite for its soft purple blue appearance.

Are there weird color names for every color?

Yes, every main color has dozens of weird variations. Red has dragon blood and sinopia. Blue has smalt and zaffre. Green has verdigris and hooker green. Yellow has gamboge and aureolin. Even white has strange names like alabaster and bisque.

Do artists actually use these weird color names?

Professional artists and painters do use these names. Vermilion, ultramarine, and cerulean are standard paint tube labels. Art historians use names like caput mortuum and mummy brown. Paint manufacturers continue to sell colors with historical weird names.

Conclusion

Weird color names are everywhere once you start looking. From dragon blood to zaffre, these unusual hues add personality to any project. Whether you need a pet name, a username, or just want to impress friends with strange trivia, this list has something for you. The most important thing is to choose a name that makes you happy. Pick a weird color name that feels right. Say it out loud and enjoy how strange and wonderful it sounds.