Behind the Color Names

Spanish: Negro German: Schwarz French: Noir The English word “black” comes from the Old English blæc (meaning “dark” or “ink”) and is of Germanic origin. The same origin produced the Old English word blac (meaning “bright, shining”, as in “fire” and “burned”). Another Old English word for “black”, sweart, is where the German schwarz comes from. The color black i...

Spanish: Blanco German: Weiß (or Weiss) French: Blanc The word “white” originates from the Old English hwit (meaning “bright, clear”). It is also related to the Dutch wit, the Old Norse hvitr, and the regular English word “wheat”. The color white symbolizes purity, honesty, and simplicity....

Spanish: Rojo German: Rot French: Rouge The word “red” comes from the Old English rēad and is of Germanic origin. It is related to the Dutch rood, the German rot, and the Sanskrit rudhira (meaning “red”). In the time of Old English, the word for red was also used to describe shades of purple, scarlet, and pink. The color red represents danger, courage, anger, and love.  ...

Spanish: Naranja German: Orange French: Orange “Orange” comes from the Old French orenge, which is based on the Arabic nāranj and the Persian nārang. In the late 14th century, the color was used in reference to the fruit of the orange tree. It was not used as a color word in English until the 1510s. Orange signifies amusement, warning, and conspicuousness. Hindu and Buddhist monks are co...

Spanish: Amarillo German: Gelb French: Jaune And now for my favorite color, yellow. “Yellow” comes from the Old English geolu (meaning “yellow”) and is of West Germanic origin. It is related to the Dutch geel, the German gelb, and the English word “gold”. Yellow is seen as the color of humor and optimism, but also jealousy and cowardice. In many Eastern cultures, it is seen as ...

Spanish: Verde German: Grün French: Vert “Green” originates from the Old English grene “the color of plants” and has Germanic roots. It is related to the Dutch groen and the German grün, as well as the English words “grass” and “grow”. Green represents nature, life, safety, and envy.  ...

Spanish: Azul German: Blau French: Bleu Now for blue, the most popular color in the world. “Blue” stems from Middle English words bleu and blwe, which mean “color of the sky”. It also originates from the Old French bleu and is related to the Old Norse blár and the Swedish blå. The color blue conveys knowledge, cold, sadness, and harmony....

Spanish: Morado German: Lila French: Violet “Purple” is one of the few color words that are not completely of Germanic origin. It derives from the Old English purpul “color of an emperor’s clothing”, as well as the Latin purpura (which itself comes from the Greek porphura “purple dye”). Purple symbolizes royalty, magic, and mystery....