Crayola crayons come in a wide variety of colors, allowing children and artists around the world to express their creativity. Since introducing its first box of eight crayons in 1903, Crayola has expanded its color palette to include over 100 different crayon shades. But where do all these colorful names come from? Many are inspired by global culture, nature, food, and everyday objects. Let’s take a colorful trip around the world to explore the origins of iconic Crayola crayon colors.
The Basics: Classic Crayola Colors
Crayola’s original crayon colors in 1903 included black, brown, blue, red, purple, orange, yellow, and green. These primary and secondary colors form the foundation of the Crayola crayon rainbow. They provide a versatile starting palette for coloring, mixing new shades, and representing common objects. For example, red, yellow, green, and brown crayons let young artists color apples, trees, grass, and other familiar items. Over the decades, Crayola has kept most of the original hues while renaming them to be more descriptive.
| Original 1903 Color | Current Crayola Color Name |
|---|---|
| Black | Black |
| Brown | Brown |
| Blue | Blue |
| Red | Red |
| Purple | Violet |
| Orange | Orange |
| Yellow | Yellow |
| Green | Green |
These familiar chromatic hues now anchor Crayola’s diverse crayon palette. But the brand has introduced colors from around the world that add cultural meaning and vibrancy.
North American Colors
Many Crayola crayon colors are inspired by objects, foods, and places in North America. Children growing up in the United States and Canada encounter these items and can relate the crayon shades to their everyday experiences. Here are some of the North American-themed Crayola colors:
Blue Colors
- Denim – Like the popular fabric used for jeans
- Sky Blue – The color of a clear daytime sky
- Blue Bell – Named after the bluebell flower
- Pacific Blue – Referencing the Pacific Ocean along the US West Coast
Red & Pink Colors
- Brick Red – The reddish hue of clay bricks
- Piggy Pink – The color of pink pigs, a farm animal
- Pink Flamingo – Bright pink like the American flamingo bird
- Red Orange – A red-orange mix
Yellow & Orange Colors
- Macaroni and Cheese – The yellow of the classic American meal
- Gold – Yellow like the hue of gold metal
- Beaver – A brownish orange named after beavers in North America
- Orange Yellow – A orange-yellow blend
Green & Purple Colors
- Asparagus – The green of asparagus vegetables
- Purple Mountains’ Majesty – Referencing the lyric from America the Beautiful song
- Violet (Purple) – The light purple color of violets
- Green Yellow – A greenish-yellow mix
Multicultural Colors
- Tan – A light brown, like tanned skin
- Apricot – The orange hue of apricots
- Peach – A soft orange-pink like the fruit
So whether coloring the blue sky, a red barn, purple mountains, or yellow mac and cheese, children can find crayon shades that represent the North American landscapes, objects, and foods that surround them.
European Colors
Europe is known for its fashion, art, and cuisine. Many Crayola crayons are named after European icons that inspire artists worldwide. Here are some of the European-influenced Crayola colors:
Pink & Red Colors
- Razzmatazz – A pink-red hue, named after a lipstick color
- Razzle Dazzle Rose – A bright pink inspired by glamorous fashion
- Hot Magenta – A hot pink, referencing the synthetic magenta dye color
- Wild Strawberry – The red of ripe strawberries
Blue Colors
- Navy Blue – A very dark blue, like the uniforms worn by navies
- Denim – Referencing the blue jeans invented in Europe
- Blue Violet – A blue with violet undertones
Yellow & Orange Colors
- Laser Lemon – A bright vivid yellow, like a laser beam
- Mango Tango – The reddish-orange shade of mangos
- Orange – A pure orange, like oranges the fruit
Green & Turquoise Colors
- Shamrock – The green associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day
- Mountain Meadow – The green of alpine meadows in Europe
- Caribbean Green – The teal waters of the Caribbean
Purple & Lavender Colors
- Wisteria – A light purple like the flowers
- Violet (Purple) – The purple of violets
- Lavender (Purple) – The soft purple of lavender plants
Whether coloring fashions, cuisine, landscapes, or florals, European culture provides artistic inspiration translated into many Crayola crayon hues.
Asian Colors
The diverse landscapes, traditions, and symbolism across Asia inspire unique Crayola crayon colors. Children can discover Asian cultures through coloring with these crayons:
Blacks & Grays
- Black – A pure black, important in Asian art
- Gray – A neutral gray, like rainclouds
- Shadow – A darker gray, like shadows cast at dusk
Reds
- Mahogany – A reddish-brown timber important in Asia
- Maroon – A deep red, the national color of India
- Red Violet – Red with a violet tint
Pinks
- Pink – A soft pink, representing cherry blossoms in Asia
- Cotton Candy – A very light pink
Oranges
- Tenné – An orange-brown, symbolic in Buddhism
- Terra Cotta – An earthy reddish-orange
Yellows
- Unmellow Yellow – A bright, vibrant yellow
- Laser Lemon – A neon yellow
Greens
- Shamrock – The green color of Asian dragons and jade
- Asparagus – The green of bamboo stalks
Blues
- Pacific Blue – The blue of Asian waters
- Blue Green – Blue with green undertones
Purples
- Purple Pizzazz – A bright, striking purple
- Purple Mountains’ Majesty – Purple majestic mountains
Asian landscapes, symbols, flora, and traditions inspire Crayola crayon hues that allow children to colorfully explore the region.
African Colors
The diverse cultures across Africa are expressed through symbolic colors translated into Crayola crayons:
Tans & Browns
- Sepia – A reddish-brown, named after ink used for African skin tones
- Tan – A tawny beige, like sand and skins
- Burnt Sienna – A deeper tan-brown earth pigment
Reds
- Scarlet – A bright red, used in Senegal traditional fabrics
- Brick Red – A brownish red earth tone
- Red – Red ocher pigment used in Africa
Oranges
- Orange – A bright, warm orange
- Sunset Orange – The orange of African sunsets
- Mango Tango – The reddish orange shade of mangos
Yellows
- Yellow – A primary yellow, important in Africa
- Laser Lemon – A bright, neon yellow
Greens
- Yellow Green – A light green yellow
- Green Yellow – A light yellow green
- Jungle Green – The green of tropical jungles
Blues
- Sky Blue – The blue of African skies
- Outer Space – A very dark blue
Purples
- Violet (Purple) – Purple dye, important in Africa
- Purple Heart – A reddish purple hue
Whether coloring desert sands, rainforests, textiles, or sunsets, children can explore the diversity of African landscapes and culture through Crayola crayons.
Latin American Colors
The tropical flora and fauna of Latin America inspire the following Crayola crayon shades:
Yellows
- Laser Lemon – The bright yellow of citrus fruits
- Unmellow Yellow – Vibrant like tropical flowers
- Canary – The yellow of canary birds
Oranges
- Tenné – An orange brown, reminiscent of clay
- Sunset Orange – The vivid oranges of Latin sunsets
- Mango Tango – The reddish orange inside mangos
Reds
- Scarlet – A bright red, like poinsettia flowers
- Red Violet – A reddish purple
- Wild Strawberry – The red of ripe strawberries
Pinks
- Tickle Me Pink – A pastel pink like flowers
- Pink Flamingo – Pink like flamingo feathers
- Mauvelous – A soft mauve pink
Purples
- Violet (Purple) – Purple like orchid blooms
- Plum – A reddish purple, like plum fruits
- Purple Mountains’ Majesty – Majestic Andes Mountains
Greens
- Shamrock – The green of tropical flora
- Asparagus – The green of fern leaves
- Green Yellow – The green of parrots and monkeys
Blues
- Pacific Blue – Blue like the waters near Latin America
- Blue Green – Blue-green like the ocean
Crayola crayon colors inspired by Latin America allow young artists to colorfully depict the region’s landscapes, animals, and cultural icons.
Middle Eastern Colors
Historic architecture, textiles, and spices across the Middle East inspire the following Crayola crayon shades:
Yellows & Oranges
- Sunglow – A bright golden yellow
- Saffron – The yellow-orange of saffron spice
- Desert Sand – The light tan color of desert sand
Reds
- Brick Red – The earthy red of bricks
- Mahogany – A reddish brown wood
- Maroon – A rich red, like pomegranate
Blues
- Navy Blue – Dark blue like Middle Eastern night skies
- Blue Violet – Blue with violet undertones
Greens
- Magic Mint – The green of mint leaves
- Shamrock – The green of Islamic mosaics
Purples
- Purple Mountains’ Majesty – Purple like majestic mountains
- Violet (Purple) – Purple dye used in textiles
Colors inspired by Middle Eastern culture, sites, and motifs allow young artists to illustrate the region.
Conclusion
Crayola crayon colors come from all corners of the globe, allowing children to creatively explore world cultures. The crayon brand translates heritage, landscapes, flora, foods, fashions, and architecture into colorful hues. Young artists can depict their own environments while discovering global influences through crayons named after European cathedrals, Asian treasures, African textiles, Middle Eastern spices, Latin American mountains, and North American landscapes. Although crayons seem simple, Crayola’s creative color names inspire children to appreciate cultures and make global connections. This worldwide palette fosters openness, curiosity, and appreciation of diversity. With just a crayon box, children can creatively explore all the crayon colors of the world.
