names with colorful meanings
- Frost
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"freezing"Description:
Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other seasonal weather names like Winter and Snow.
- Jet
Origin:
Mineral and word nameDescription:
This super-charged variation of Jett is on the rise -- along with the unlikely newcomer Jetson.
- Alban
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white, or, man from Alba"Description:
An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain. Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S. Vice-President, serving under Harry Truman. And Albin is popular in modern Sweden. But only the form Alban has the alternate meaning "from Alba".
- Mazarine
Origin:
French color nameDescription:
Mazarine is a deep blue color also used as a first name in honor of Cardinal Mazarin, a leader of France in the 17th century. As a first name, Mazarine is as charming as it is unusual.
- Viridian
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"blue green color"Description:
Unusual and beautiful blue green color and name possibility, a la Cerulean.
- Dune
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"sand hill"Description:
Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
- Mayer
Origin:
German surname or HebrewMeaning:
"landlord, farmer; bringer of light"Description:
More common -- when it was common -- with the Meyer spelling.
- Alvar
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"elf warrior"Description:
This name woould be hard to picture in a contemporary kindergarten, though it does have some cultural cred via Finnish architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto. Aalto would actually make a more interesting choice.
- Laguna
Origin:
Italian place-nameMeaning:
"pond, lake"Description:
Laguna Beach is a famous California spot -- though there's "goonie" teasing potential.
- Tide
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.
- Sunshine
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Sunshine was seen as a quintessential hippie name of the 70s, reaching as high as Number 536 in 1975. Now such names are making a bit of a retro comeback, seen, for example, as a character on Glee.
- Tawny
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"golden brown"Description:
Y-ending color adjectives like Tawny and Rusty are nowhere near as stylish as the more sophisticated Lilacs and Violets.
- Olivine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"olive"Description:
A gem named for its green hue.
- Flavia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"golden, blond"Description:
An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could change. Seen more in literature than real life, Flavia was used as far back as an1580 romance, then in a William Dean Howells novel and as a Princess in The Prisoner of Zenda. Although the original pronunciation is FLAH-via, Flavie (as in flavor) could make a cute nickname.
- Zelenka
Origin:
CzechMeaning:
"green"Description:
A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.
- Titian
Description:
Titian is a distinctive masculine name derived from the renowned Italian Renaissance painter Tiziano Vecelli, commonly known as Titian. The name carries artistic and cultural significance, evoking images of masterful creativity and the painter's characteristic rich, vibrant color palette—particularly the reddish-orange hue known as "Titian red." While uncommon in mainstream usage, Titian appeals to parents with an appreciation for art history and those seeking a sophisticated name with cultural depth. The name has never ranked in popular name charts but maintains steady, albeit rare, usage among families with artistic inclinations. Its pronunciation (TISH-un) and unique character make it both recognizable and distinctive.
- Fuchsia
Origin:
Plant and color nameMeaning:
"vivid purplish-red; tubular flower"Description:
A plausible color name, it was chosen by the singer Sting as a middle name for his daughter, after a character in the Gormenghast fantasy trilogy, of which he's a big fan. Another bearer is Fuchsia Voremberg, a member of the BBC Show, Antiques Roadshow who specializes in diaries and manuscripts.
- Dilwyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"fair, white, blessed"Description:
Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.
- Mahogany
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"rich, strong"Description:
Dark, woody name that's brings to mind rich panelling, beautiful colors and luxury.
- Fairuza
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"turquoise"Description:
Instead of the more obvious Aqua, Turquoise, or Blue, consider this offbeat Arabic name, brought into the American name pool by actress Fairuza Balk (named by her father for the color of her eyes). Since turquoise is the birthstone for December, Fairuza is one of the perfect names for December babies.
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