You probably remember the smell first. That waxy, earthy scent that hits the second you flip the lid on a fresh box of 64. But then you look at the wrappers. Beyond the basics like red and blue, there’s a whole universe of weird, poetic, and sometimes controversial labels. Honestly, the list of crayola color names is less of a static catalog and more of a living history of how we perceive color.
It started small. Back in 1903, Binney & Smith launched their first box for a nickel. It had eight colors. Eight. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black. Simple, right? But as the company grew, so did the need to describe the nuances of the rainbow. By the time we got to the iconic 64-count box in 1958—the one with the built-in sharpener that everyone fought over in second grade—the nomenclature had become an art form in itself.
The Evolution of the 64-Count Standard
When people ask for a list of crayola color names, they’re usually looking for that nostalgic 1950s lineup. That’s where we got the heavy hitters. We’re talking about "Burnt Sienna," "Cornflower," and "Raw Umber." These aren't just colors; they’re vibes.
"Burnt Sienna" sounds like something an Italian Renaissance painter would use, and actually, that’s exactly where the name comes from. It refers to the earth from Siena, Italy, which turns a rich, reddish-brown when heated. Crayola didn't just make up these names to be fancy. They pulled from pigments used by professional artists for centuries.
But then things got a bit more whimsical.
"Macaroni and Cheese" joined the party in 1993. It’s a loud, vibrant orange-yellow that looks exactly like the stuff in the blue box. Around that same time, we saw the introduction of "Granny Smith Apple" and "Purple Mountain's Majesty." The brand shifted from technical pigment names to names that evoked feelings or specific objects. It was a brilliant marketing move. Kids don't necessarily care about "Manganese Blue," but they definitely know what a "Tickle Me Pink" looks like.
When Social Change Hits the Crayon Box
Crayola hasn't always gotten it right. If you look back at an old list of crayola color names from the mid-20th century, you’ll find some entries that haven't aged well.
Take "Flesh," for example. In 1903, this was a standard color. But by the 1960s, during the Civil Rights Movement, it became glaringly obvious that "flesh" shouldn't just represent one skin tone. It was a peach-like hue that ignored the reality of a diverse world. In 1962, Crayola officially changed the name to "Peach." It was a small gesture, but a significant one in the history of toy branding.
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Then there was "Indian Red." This one stuck around much longer, finally getting the axe in 1999. The name actually referred to a pigment from India, not Native Americans, but the confusion was enough that educators and parents pushed for a change. It became "Chestnut."
The Great Retirements
Crayola is savvy. They know how to drum up press. Every so often, they "retire" a color to make room for something new, usually accompanied by a mock funeral at the Crayola Experience in Pennsylvania.
In 1990, they retired eight colors at once:
- Green Blue
- Orange Red
- Orange Yellow
- Violet Blue
- Maize
- Lemon Yellow
- Blue Gray
- Raw Umber
Fans were devastated. There was actually a group called the "Raws" (Restoration of Artistic Worthy Spectrums) that protested the removal of Raw Umber. People get weirdly attached to these things. It’s not just wax; it’s a piece of their childhood.
More recently, in 2017, "Dandelion" was kicked out of the 24-count box. It was replaced by "Bluetiful," a YInMn Blue-inspired shade that was discovered by chemists at Oregon State University. This was the first new blue pigment discovered in over 200 years. Crayola jumping on that trend shows they still care about the intersection of science and art.
Categorizing the Chaos: A Deep Look at the List
If you really want to parse the list of crayola color names, you have to look at the "families."
The Earth Tones
These are the browns and ochres. "Sepia," "Tumbleweed," "Beaver," and "Raw Sienna." These names are grounded in geography and nature. They feel permanent.
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The Food-Inspired Shades
This is where the fun starts. "Asparagus," "Banana Mania," "Cotton Candy," and "Wild Strawberry." These colors are visceral. You can almost taste the "Blueberry" when you see that deep, saturated indigo.
The "What is That?" Colors
Then you have the ones that require a dictionary. "Cerulean." Most kids first encountered that word on a crayon wrapper before they ever heard it in a weather report or a fashion movie. "Periwinkle" is another one. It’s a color, a flower, and a fun word to say.
Why the Names Actually Matter
You might think a name is just a name. It’s just a label on a piece of paper wrapped around paraffin wax and pigment. But for a child, these names are often their first introduction to descriptive language.
When a kid chooses "Midnight Blue" instead of just "Blue," they are making a specific creative choice. They are learning about mood. They are learning that "Forest Green" feels different than "Fern." The list of crayola color names serves as a bridge between visual art and literacy. It teaches us that the world isn't just made of primary colors; it’s made of "Manatee," "Razzmatazz," and "Outer Space."
The Current Heavyweights: The 120-Count Catalog
If you go for the "ultimate" box today, you’re looking at a massive spectrum. Here is a snapshot of some of the most distinct names currently circulating in the larger sets:
- Atomic Tangerine: A neon orange that feels like it should glow in the dark (and in some versions, it actually does).
- Cadet Blue: A muted, grayish-blue that feels very "uniform."
- Fuzzy Wuzzy: Formerly "Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown," this is a soft, muted reddish-brown.
- Jazzberry Jam: A deep, vibrant magenta that feels energetic.
- Melted Chocolate: Exactly what it sounds like. Deep, rich, and dark.
- Pacific Blue: A bright, tropical teal.
- Robin's Egg Blue: A classic light cyan that is arguably one of the most popular colors in the entire history of the brand.
- Timberwolf: A sophisticated light gray.
- Unmellow Yellow: A sharp, acidic yellow that borders on neon.
The Science of Naming
Crayola doesn't just throw darts at a dictionary. They have a process. Sometimes they hold contests where kids submit names. That’s how we got "Bluetiful." Other times, they look at cultural trends.
The color "Cyber Grape" reflects a digital age. "Shimmering Blush" leans into the metallic and glitter trends that dominate makeup and fashion. They are constantly scouting for what "feels" current while maintaining the classics that parents expect to see.
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Interestingly, the actual pigments don't change as often as the names do. A specific shade of "Red Orange" might stay the same for decades, even if the brand decides to market a special edition version with a different name for a movie tie-in or a seasonal release.
Misconceptions and Mandela Effects
A lot of people swear there was a color called "Prussian Blue" in their childhood boxes. They’re right—but only if they grew up before 1958. That year, it was renamed "Midnight Blue" because teachers felt kids didn't know what "Prussia" was anymore.
Another common one? "Peachtree." People remember it, but it was never a core color. It was usually just "Peach."
There’s also the "Pointer" color mystery. Some old-school users remember "Brick Red" being darker than it is now. The truth is, pigment batches can vary slightly over decades due to changes in sourcing and safety regulations. Lead and other heavy metals used in old-school pigments are obviously gone now, replaced by synthetic alternatives that are safer but sometimes result in a slightly different "hit" on the paper.
Actionable Insights for Collectors and Enthusiasts
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of color names or start a collection, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Wrapper Style: You can date a crayon by its wrapper design. The "serpentine" or wavy line on the wrapper changed styles in 1939, 1944, and 1950.
- Look for Retired Boxes: If you find a box with "Dandelion" still in it, keep it. It’s not necessarily worth a fortune yet, but it’s a finite piece of color history.
- Use Specialty Sets for Specific Names: If the standard list of crayola color names feels boring, look into the "Colors of the World" sets. These were specifically designed to represent over 40 global skin tones, moving far beyond the old "Peach" and "Brown" limitations.
- Verify with the Master List: For true enthusiasts, the "Crayola Consumer Services" department occasionally releases official lists. These are the gold standard for verifying if a name like "Thistle" (retired in 1990) was actually part of the 64-set or a specialty box.
The colors we use to draw our world define how we see it. Whether you're a professional illustrator or just someone looking to relive the 1990s through a box of wax sticks, the names matter. They turn a simple tool into a vehicle for imagination. Next time you pick up a "Screamin' Green," remember there’s a century of marketing, chemistry, and cultural shifts behind that tiny piece of paper.