When most people think of the color purple, they imagine a rich, deep, royal purple. However, purple has a wide range of shades from light pastel purples to darker eggplant purples. One of the most elegant and feminine shades of purple is light purple. But what exactly is light purple called? There are a few common names used to describe the various light purple shades.
Lavender Purple
One of the most popular light purple shades is lavender. Lavender is a soft, pale purple with a very light tint of pink or blue in it. The name lavender comes from the flowering herb that produces the same pale purple color of flowers.
Lavender purple is associated with spring and Easter, and it is commonly used for Easter egg decorations. It also has a soothing, calming effect which makes it popular for spas, bedrooms, and home decor.
Here are some examples of lavender purple:
| Lavender Blush | Pale Lavender | Baby Lavender |
| #FFF0F5 | #DCD0FF | #EBE1FF |
Lilac Purple
Another common light purple is lilac. Lilac is also named after the flowering bush that produces light purple flowers in the spring. It is slightly darker and brighter than lavender.
Lilac purple contains more blue undertones compared to the pink undertones of lavender. It is associated with spring, romance, and femininity. Lilac is a popular color for weddings.
Here are some examples of lilac shades:
| Light Lilac | Pale Lilac | Bright Lilac |
| #E6C8FF | #C8A2C8 | #D8BFD8 |
Wisteria Purple
Wisteria is a light purple shade named after the wisteria flowering vine. It is a soft, delicate purple with a very pale tint of blue.
Wisteria purple is commonly associated with spring blooms and romance. It is sometimes described as a pale shade of lilac. The coloring is very similar to lavender but contains a bit more blue.
Here are some examples of wisteria purple shades:
| Pale Wisteria | Periwinkle Wisteria | Pastel Wisteria |
| #C9A0DC | #8F8FBD | #D9CBDE |
Thistle Purple
Thistle is a light purple shade with more grey undertones compared to other light purples. It is named after the thistle flowering plant.
Thistle purple is sometimes referred to as a pale shade of lavender. It has a soft, muted tone that works well for subtle accent colors. The grey tones give it a slightly vintage look.
Some examples of thistle purple shades include:
| Pale Thistle | Silver Thistle | Grey Lilac |
| #E5E5FA | #C6B8CC | #C3B0D1 |
Orchid Purple
Orchid is a light purple shade associated with the colorful orchid flower blooms. It is a delicate, elegant purple with sensual pink undertones.
Orchid purple is thought to represent beauty, sophistication, and feminity. It is a popular color for fashion, as well as home decor accents. The color orchid is sometimes described as a pale violet.
Some examples of orchid purple shades are:
| Light Orchid | Pink Orchid | Pale Orchid |
| #E29CD2 | #D8B2D1 | #F0DBF8 |
Plum Purple
Plum is a soft, smooth purple with red undertones, named after the plum fruit. It is often considered a cross between the red and purple color spectrum.
Plum purple has a refined, artistic feel to it. It is used to represent creativity, wisdom, and originality. Plum shades range from pale purples to richer, darker hues.
Some examples of plum purple shades include:
| Pale Plum | Velvet Plum | Purple Plum |
| #EEAEEE | #916BBF | #8E3179 |
Mauve Purple
Mauve is a light purple with strong grey undertones. The name mauve comes from the mallow flower which blooms in light purple hues.
Mauve purple has an elegant, sophisticated look. The muted grey tones give it a more subtle effect than brighter purples. It gained popularity in the Victorian era and is associated with vintage fashion.
Some examples of mauve purple shades are:
| Pale Mauve | Dusty Mauve | Soft Mauve |
| #FEDFE1 | #D9A5B5 | #C7B0C1 |
Heliotrope Purple
Heliotrope is a pale shade of purple tinted with pink or blue undertones. It was inspired by the heliotrope flower which grows light purple blooms.
Heliotrope purple has a very soft, dreamy look. It represents spirituality, peacefulness, and calmness. This color gained popularity during the Romanticism era in the 19th century.
Some heliotrope purple shades include:
| Pastel Heliotrope | Pale Heliotrope | Periwinkle Heliotrope |
| #DFB3FF | #E2D2FA | #D7CBF4 |
Amethyst Purple
Amethyst is a light purple shade inspired by the quartz crystal of the same name. It contains soft blue or red undertones.
The amethyst crystal is thought to have healing and protective powers, so the color represents spirituality and tranquility. Amethyst purple is associated with royalty and luxury. Lighter tones work well for spring accents.
Some amethyst purple shades include:
| Pale Amethyst | Lavender Amethyst | Pink Amethyst |
| #D8B2D1 | #D6BADD | #E6B8E6 |
Periwinkle Purple
Periwinkle is a very pale, light purple with blue undertones. It is named after the periwinkle flower which has five-petaled blooms in various shades of light purple and blue.
The color periwinkle represents blossoming friendships, sentimental memories, and relaxation. It is widely used for springtime accents. Light periwinkle works well for weddings and events.
Some examples of periwinkle purple shades are:
| Pastel Periwinkle | Lilac Periwinkle | Pale Periwinkle |
| #C3CDE6 | #C4BCDC | #E9EBFE |
Lavender Blush Purple
Lavender blush is an extremely pale, delicate purple with strong pink undertones. It is lighter and more muted than other lavender shades.
The barely-there purple hue gives lavender blush a sweet, whimsical effect. It represents purity, innocence, and femininity. This color works well for baby nurseries, girls’ rooms, and wedding themes.
Some examples of lavender blush purple:
| Fairy Lavender | Whisper Lavender | Moonlit Lavender |
| #FFF9FA | #F9F0FF | #EDEBF5 |
Conclusion
In summary, light purple shades span a wide spectrum from pale, barely-there purples to brighter lavenders and lilacs. Many light purples are named after flowers and plants like lavender, wisteria, lilac, and orchid.
Common light purple names also draw inspiration from gems and minerals like amethyst and crystals like periwinkle. Some shades have more pink, grey, or blue undertones which affect the look and mood of the colors.
Lighter purples like lavender blush and wisteria evoke soft, delicate feelings. Meanwhile bolder lavenders and lilacs feel more lively and bright. Light purples work beautifully in spring and summer fashions, home accents, and special event decorating.
So in summary, light purple goes by many names depending on the specific hue, tone, and undertones. But no matter what you call it, light purple represents beauty, femininity, tranquility, and grace. It is a versatile color that can fit many different moods and styles.
References:
Color Names: https://www.color-name.com/light-purple.color
Purple Shades: https://www.schemecolor.com/light-purple-colors.php
Color Psychology: https://www.bourncreative.com/meaning-of-the-color-purple/
Flower Inspired Colors: https://www.reference.com/world-view/flower-inspired-color-names-66d4b632d9f80ee3
Mineral Inspired Colors: https://bellatory.com/fashion-accessories/Purple-Mineral-Makeup
Wedding Color Palettes: https://www.brides.com/purple-wedding-color-palette-4844311
Home Decor: https://www.thespruce.com/best-purple-paint-colors-4152174
