10 Color-Inspired Baby Names Beyond Violet And Scarlett

Having a baby fills your world with color, which makes a hue-inspired name an exceptionally fitting choice. Plus, names based on colors are often layered with meanings. Along with the literal translations of the shades and names themselves, colors can carry their own important symbolism. Red, for example, represents energy, passion, and love, while yellow is associated with positivity and happiness. Greens and blues tend to be calming hues, while pinks and purples are connected with art and creativity, as well as intuition and spirituality. 

With this in mind, it's no wonder the name Scarlett has landed in the top 40 baby girl names with the U.S. Social Security Administration every year since 2014, and Violet's been consistently in the top 20 since 2022. They're two beautiful names full of meaning and symbolism. But there are so many options in the rainbow beyond the tried-and-true classics. Across hues and languages, a plethora of color-inspired names abound, and many offer a variety of meanings beyond their tinted translation.

Hunter is a gender-neutral name with British origins that mean "one who hunts" and "pursuer," but it's also closely related to the color green. The shade known as hunter green is a dark and earthy hue, named during the Victorian era when it was the color of choice for hunting jackets. As a name, it's been historically popular for boys in the United States, but it's slowly gaining traction among baby girls. 

In French, cerise directly translates to "cherry," but it also doubles as a color. Cerise sits somewhere between pink and red, and much like the closely related fuchsia, it's often associated with energy and enthusiasm.  The name can also be connected to cherry blossom trees, which are said to symbolize femininity and vitality. 

The name Indigo has Greek and British origins and makes for a beautiful gender-neutral option that means "deep blue dye." Symbolically, this particular shade of blue is said to represent perception and intuition, and it gets its name from the indigo plant, which was first found in India.

For an alternative to Violet, consider Lavender — somewhat softer both as a color and as a name. While the color violet is rich and regal, lavender is light and pale, often associated with spa-like calm and tranquility. Lavender means "purple flower,"  and just recently broke into the top 1,000 baby girl names in the United States in 2024 — though it didn't stay there for long, making it an old-fashioned classic that could see a comeback.

Sage has so many meanings that make it a worthy baby name. With its Latin roots, the name means "wise" and "prudent," and also refers to a myth or legend. But sage also links back to the fragrant herb, and is often used to describe its particular shade of green — a soft hue that's a mix of green and gray. Along with being a soothing tone to look at, the herb is also known for its healing properties.

Olive technically means "olive tree," and the color olive green is named for the unripened fruit grown by said tree. But as a baby name, Olive has had a fascinating history in the United States. For the first half of the 20th century, Olive was a fairly consistent favorite until she dropped off the top 1,000 list in 1951. But after a resurgence in 2007, Olive has held steady, currently sitting at No. 197.

For another gender-neutral option, consider Navy, named for the shade of dark blue originally created for Britain's Royal Navy in the 18th century. The color can also mean "fleet of ships" and has seen increasing popularity in recent years. The name officially broke into the top 1,000 names for baby girls in 2019, debuting at No. 815, and today, it sits at No. 327. Surprisingly, Navy has yet to crack through for baby boys, making it a cutting-edge choice for sons.

The name Ruby is full of potential meaning for your little one. As a color, it refers to a deep, bold shade of red that often symbolizes passion and intensity. But it gets its name from the gemstone, which also happens to be the birthstone for July. This makes Ruby an especially fitting name for a baby born during this summer month, or if you'd like to honor someone else in your life with their own July birthday.

The name Clover is British in origin and generally means "meadow flower," though it can also refer to "one who cleaves wood." Clover green is a vibrant shade of green linked to the leafy ground cover and lucky shamrock. Since 2021, it's been a fairly popular name among girls, but it hit its peak in popularity in 2025 when the Social Security Administration logged it as the 517th most popular name.

Marigold is a solid choice for parents looking for beautiful floral names, because it generally refers to the flower. But it also brings to mind a warm and golden shade of yellow that feels cheerful and friendly. Marigold broke onto the top 1,000 list of baby names in the United States in 2022, and in 2025, she sat at No. 590.