Color Names for Babies

Chartreuse is the name of a French liqueur, named after the Grande Chartreuse monastery of the Carthusian Monks that produce it. The monastery was built in the Chartreuse mountains of southeastern France. Chartreuse is also familiar as a color name, a yellow-green hue that matches the color of the highest-quality liqueur.

Has too many slangy connotations to be considered.

The term brindle is often used to describe animal fur coloring — the brindle variety is brown or tawny with contrasting streaks. Some American parents have also embraced it as a baby name, perhaps as a way to get to the nickname Brynn/Brin.

Verde is an uncommon color name with a Latinate accent, perfect for a spring baby.

This French version of Viridiana and Viridis lacks the charm of similar and more familiar French names like Vivienne and Adrienne.

A creative choice, suggesting the Venetian Renaissance painter (born Tiziano), and the brownish orange red hue that was featured on his palette. But try explaining to the boys in seventh grade that it's pronounced tee-shun.

Pronounced sham-me, this color and word name is soft and appealing.

Most color names, like Scarlet and Violet, are definitely female, but not this one. Brown is as rich and warm as the tone it denotes, though we must admit the Italian version Bruno has more spark and substance.

Russell has gone away, but the more feminine Russet may move in to take his place.

Bland, and better for a girl besides.

Do everyone a favor and spell it Coco, an up-and-coming choice.

Ron Burgundy was Will Ferrell's fictional helmet-haired newsman, but this color name is much more suited to a girl.

Better on your living-room walls.

Neutral color, but as a name, too much of an oddity.

An appealing blue-green color that would make for a unique baby name. Another option: Seablue.

Compound color name with a tranquil aura.

The term "wintergreen" historically referred to plants that remain green through the winter, for which we use the word "evergreen" today. Gaultheria wintergreens, shrubs, contain the oil used to make wintergreen mint flavoring, used in chewing gum, toothpaste, and even root beer.