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Non-Obvious Color Names

Beyond Violet and Blue--even beyond Onyx and Carnelian. These are names with color meanings.
  1. Chloe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "young green shoot"
    • Description:

      Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.
  2. Rory
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red king"
    • Description:

      Rory is a buoyant, spirited name for a redhead with Celtic roots. The name Rory is getting more popular overall, but for the past few years has been trending decidedly toward the boys' side -- however, it's been rising to new heights for girls in recent years.
  3. Aurelia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"
    • Description:

      Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
  4. Phoenix
    • Origin:

      Arizona place name and Greek
    • Meaning:

      "dark red"
    • Description:

      Phoenix is a New Age name symbolizing rebirth and immortality. It's also a place name, a color name, a mythological name, AND an animal name, combining several of today's hottest trends in one appealing package.
  5. Flavia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Beryl
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sea-green jewel"
    • Description:

      Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
  7. Ione
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "violet flower"
    • Description:

      This unusual Greek flower and color name has gained considerable recent attention via actress Ione Skye, who is the daughter of sixties folksinger Donovan.
  8. Eldora
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "covered with gold"
    • Description:

      An unusual old school name which is made more modern by that fashionable El- beginning.
  9. Phyllis
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "green bough"
    • Description:

      Phyllis has been used by classical poets for the idealized pastoral maiden. A Greek mythological name of a woman who was turned into an almond tree, Phyllis was in the Top 100 from 1916 to 1958, reaching #24 in 1929, and has the (remote) possibility of joining other revived s-ending names like Iris. In the 'St Clare' book series by Enid Blyton Phyllis is nicknamed Fizz. Just a thought. Phyllida is a variation that sounds at once more old-fashioned and more stylish.
  10. Gilda
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "covered with gold"
    • Description:

      Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved early Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner. In opera, Gilda lives on as the name of the daughter of Rigoletto.
  11. Orville
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "gold town"
    • Description:

      Only if you're an aviation buff or seriously addicted to popcorn.
  12. Irving
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "green river, sea friend"
    • Description:

      It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving. It became a popular choice for first-generation Jewish-American boys, such as best-selling authors Irving Stone and Irving Wallace, whose parents looked to surnames from the British Isles to confer a measure of assimilation and class.
  13. Oran
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Irish, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "light, song, little green one"
    • Description:

      A calm and gentle multicultural choice. Oran is popular in Ireland, where its Gaelic form is Odhrán, meaning "little green one". In Scottish Gaelic, the name means "song", and in Hebrew, it's a combination of Or "light" + Ran "singing".
  14. Roy
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      If girls have adopted Ray, why not Roy.
  15. Sorrel
    • Origin:

      Botanical name and French
    • Meaning:

      "reddish brown"
    • Description:

      A fragrant herbal and color name that could make a sensitive, distinctive choice.
  16. Roux
    • Origin:

      French From Latin
    • Meaning:

      "russet"
    • Description:

      Roux, a color name meaning russet or reddish brown, is a possible middle name for your little auburn-haired babe, though a post-Hunger Games child would more likely be called Rue. Roux is also a culinary term for a mixture of fat and flour used in French cooking to make sauces.
  17. Omaira
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "long life; red"
    • Description:

      Omaira is an intriguing Middle Eastern possibility.
  18. Arusha
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      The color red plays a prominent role in Hindu mythology, referring to the rising sun or the reddish horses of the "son of fire." Pronounced ahr-OO-shah, it has a stylish Russian flair. Hindi version is ARUSHI.
  19. Akako
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      The color red was considered to have magical properties in early Japanese culture, with the power to cure blood and other illnesses. Pronounced ah-kah-ko.
  20. Chrysanthemum
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gold flower"
    • Description:

      One of the rarest of the flower names, that of the blossom celebrated in Japan as a symbol of the sun and a possible object of meditation. One of the rare flower names counted among names for autumn babies, Chrysanthemum is also one of the most unusual nature-themed girl names starting with C.

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