Color Names is a curated dataset of color names that developers can integrate into design systems, creative tools, data visualization projects, and machine learning applications.
The project addresses the need for a comprehensive, high-quality reference of color names by assembling entries from multiple sources and community contributions. It maintains quality through automated checks that eliminate duplicates and near-duplicates, enforce consistent naming conventions following APA Title Case rules, validate hex codes, and remove whitespace inconsistencies. Human curators review submissions to ensure names remain intentional and exclude slurs, hate speech, and protected brand names. The tool provides multiple lists tailored to different use cases: a full exhaustive collection for exploration, a curated "best of" subset for higher-signal options, and a short names list for space-constrained applications.
Developers should choose this tool if they need a permissive, well-maintained color name reference for design systems or data applications. The project distinguishes itself through strict human curation that discourages AI-generated names, making it suitable for teams that value intentional, playful naming over algorithmic generation. It ships in multiple formats and can be accessed via JavaScript, API, or CDN, making integration straightforward across different project types. The permissive MIT license allows free use, remixing, and forking with only simple attribution required.
Automated test suites enforce quality standards consistently across the dataset. The curation process remains deliberately human-centered, with curators actively shaping entries rather than relying on automation for final decisions.
