The color black brown does not have a universally agreed upon name. However, there are several common terms used to describe the dark brown shade that is nearly black. Let’s explore some of the most popular names for this deep, rich color.
Very Dark Brown
One of the simplest ways to describe black brown is as “very dark brown.” This gets across that the color is a shade of brown that is extremely dark, nearing black. It captures the brown tones while acknowledging how deep and saturated the color is.
Very dark brown is useful for broadly characterizing the color without getting into more specific color terminology. It’s a fitting name for casual conversations or when a simple description is all that’s needed.
Dark Brown
Another effective option is “dark brown.” This is a slight variation that still captures the essence of the color.
While very dark brown emphasizes just how dark the shade is, dark brown puts the focus on the brown base while conveying that it is a particularly deep variant.
Dark brown gives a sense of the color’s darkness compared to lighter browns without necessarily pushing it all the way to very dark brown. This provides a nice middle ground description.
Chocolate Brown
Given its rich, deep brown character, “chocolate brown” is commonly used to describe black brown. Chocolate is available in very dark shades, making it a fitting reference point.
The mention of chocolate evokes a sense of the color’s warmth and intensity. Chocolate also has undertones of red that align with the subtle ruddiness in very dark shades of brown.
Chocolate brown captures these parallels in a descriptive color name that paints a vivid picture of the hue.
Coffee Brown
For similar reasons, “coffee brown” is another handy descriptor for black brown. The darkest roasts of coffee have a strikingly dark brown appearance.
Coffee brown effectively connects the color to the deep brown tones of coffee beans or a dark black coffee. This taps into familiar color associations that make it easy to envision the intended shade.
Along with chocolate brown, coffee brown is one of the more recognizable and fitting names for this color.
Chestnut Brown
Chestnut brown is less commonly heard but can be an accurate description of black brown. Chestnuts ripen to a rich, deep brown that possesses subtle red undertones when fresh.
The chestnut color imagery reflects the touches of red in black brown that give it extra depth. While maybe not as ubiquitous as chocolate or coffee brown, chestnut brown is a descriptive option with rustic flair.
Dark Taupe
Taupe refers to various shades between brown and gray. Adding “dark” positions the color firmly on the brown side of the taupe spectrum.
Dark taupe acknowledges the nearly-black shade while retaining a touch of brownish-gray neutrality. This distinguishes it from a straight-up dark brown.
For black browns with subtle cool undertones rather than red or warmth, dark taupe can be an on-point descriptor.
Dark Brown Black
Naming the color “dark brown black” recognizes that it falls very close to black but retains some brown character.
Reversing the order to black brown is more common. But dark brown black puts an emphasis on interpreting the color primarily as an extremely dark shade of brown.
This phrasing can be used to align with a brown color scheme versus black if that nuance is relevant.
Ebony
Ebony is a formal name for very dark brown that borders on black. Historically, the term was often associated with ebony wood.
True ebony trees have heartwood that is almost pitch black. This makes ebony a fitting descriptor for wood with a rich, deep brown or black coloration.
While less casual than chocolate or coffee brown, ebony captures the black-brown essence in an elegant, refined way.
Dark Umber
Umber is an earthy dark brown pigment used in art. Adding “dark” positions the shade properly next to black on the spectrum from light to dark umber.
Dark umber has a sophisticated, artful ring to it. The color name references the pigment’s strong connections to nature and artistic media like oil paints.
This makes it an evocative option for describing the black-leaning brown, especially in artsy or earthy settings.
Blackish Brown
Another variation that tackles the black brown concept is “blackish brown.” This plainly conveys that the color is fundamentally a brown but tipping towards black.
The “ish” in blackish brown addresses the cross between color categories. This gives it a casual, colloquial style while still communicating clearly about the hue.
Charcoal Brown
Charcoal refers to the very deep gray created by burning wood in the absence of oxygen. The darkest charcoal can appear nearly black.
Charcoal brown associates this very dark gray-black color with rich browns. It’s an effective blend, capturing the heavily saturated dark shade on the black-brown continuum.
It’s also a color name that triggers tangible images of soft, dusty charcoal, making the hue easy to envision.
Dark Liver
While less appetizing than chocolate or coffee brown, “dark liver” is another fitting descriptor. Liver from cows and similar animals can range from reddish-brown to nearly black.
Dark liver focuses on the deep, opaque side of this spectrum. It’s an accurate if visceral color reference for the blackest browns.
Seal Brown
Seals range in color but some have very dark brown fur that appears almost black. “Seal brown” draws on this animal association to characterize an extremely dark brown.
Other animal coat colors like chocolate Labrador or black panther could also work to convey a blackish-brown color in natural terms. But seal brown has more of a definitive ring to it as an established color name.
Dark Pucci
Pucci is a high-end Italian fashion brand known for colorful patterns and prints. They have a fabric and color swatch called “dark pucci” that fits the black-brown description.
While not as universal as other names, dark pucci gives the color a stylish, couture quality. For fashion contexts, it taps directly into a recognizable shade from a famous design house.
Brick Brown
Bricks fire to deep reddish-brown hues, especially when using clay with iron oxide content. Describing a black-leaning brown as “brick brown” taps into these rustic, earthy tones.
Brick brown has an organic, raw vibe. It connects the color to traditional building materials and clay-rich soil. This gives it natural, grounding connotations.
Dark Chocolate Brown
Building on chocolate brown, “dark chocolate brown” makes the darkness explicit. This removes any doubt that the shade leans heavily into black rather than medium or milk chocolate brown territory.
Dark chocolate brown is a lush, indulgent descriptor that instantly conveys a sense of richness and intensity for the nearly-black hue. It’s a sumptuous color name with appetizing appeal.
Espresso Brown
Espresso is brewed coffee that is extra-dark and concentrated. Its intense saturation mirrors black-brown hues.
Espresso brown associates the color with thick, aromatic coffee brews. It’s sensual and pleasurable imagery for the dark tone.
While the tone isn’t as readily visible in opaque espresso, it captures the extreme depth and saturation on display when the brewed coffee is backlit or swirled to reveal its color.
Dark Russet
Russet is a reddish shade of brown, like russet potatoes. Adding “dark” accentuates the black-brown qualities while retaining a touch of redness.
Dark russet has rugged, earthy rural vibes. Russet potatoes and other foods in shades of russet evoke a grounded, natural color palette. This rustic flair fits the weathered darkness of black-browns.
Smoky Black Brown
The descriptor “smoky” applied to a black brown hue adds dimensions of charring, burnt tones, and hazy depth.
Smoky black brown conveys not just darkness but a rich interplay between black, brown, and smoky grays. This captures the subtle blended undertones that give black browns complexity.
Dark Sable
Sable refers to a rich, dark brown fur. Using it to name the color, dark sable frames black brown as glamorous, luxurious, and lustrous like the fur.
Dark sable has opulent, upscale associations that beautifully suit the color’s intensity. The fur connection gives it a tactile, textural essence as well.
Bistre Brown
Bistre is an artistic pigment made from soot that creates a very deep brown-black hue. True bistre has yellowish, slightly greenish undertones.
Pure bistre brown may differ from a typical black brown. But the name has become associated with any very dark brown with black notes, making it a reasonable descriptor to consider.
| Color Name | Key Attributes |
|---|---|
| Very Dark Brown | Simple, straightforward |
| Dark Brown | Universal, middle ground |
| Chocolate Brown | Rich, warm, inviting |
| Coffee Brown | Deep, robust |
| Chestnut Brown | Reddish undertones |
| Dark Taupe | Hint of gray, cool |
| Dark Brown Black | Black-leaning |
| Ebony | Elegant, refined |
| Dark Umber | Artistic, earthy |
